The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-07-06
KNOTS REASONS GIVEN
For Proceeding in the Courts TO Have Recount of the Vote
for Governor in Many Counties of the State

Inc great and widespread IN
terest felt in the gubernatorial
contest now on, justifes The Her.
aid In copying from the Jackson
vile Times-Union of last Thurs
day the following statement of
the grounds upon which Mr.,
Knott bases his action -
Court proceedings have been
begun by attorneys in behalf of
W. V. Knott, gubernatorial candi-
date, for recount of the vote in
certain precincts of at least twen-
ty-seven counties of Florida. 1t
is alleged from information re-
ceived by attorneys at the head
quarters of Mr.. Knott here in
Jacksonville that there are more
than seventy-fve precincts in
which the second choice vote was
not counted, or included in the Of
fetal returns made to Tallahassee.
In most cases it is alleged these
votes were improperly tailed and
1T was impossible for the canvass
ing board to ascertain to whom
they properly belonged. The sew
enty-five or more precincts not
counted embraced $500 to 1000
votes, it is alleged.
The friends of Mr.. Knott con-
tend that when these votes are
properly counted and accredited,
he will easily overcome the lead
of 260 votes of Mr.. Cats.
Mandamus for recount has
been granted in number OF
counties. The sheriffs of Suwan-
nee, Hamilton and Madison coun-
ties were yesterday serving the
inspectors and clerks with notice
to appear and recount the votes
of these counties.
Thomas B. Adams, of counsel
for Mr.. Knott, stated that it was
not the intention of the counsel
for Mr.. Knott to stop the fight un-
til every single vote in the state
has been recounted where it is
believed that irregularities or er-
rors exist.
Many Irregularities
The worst irregularities are al
legged to exist in Polk, Holmes
and Calhoun counties. In Polk
county it is alleged that several
hundred non-Democratic voters
evidently cast vote. In one
precinct in Calhoun county with
fifty-nine qualified voters on the
registration book, 140 votes were
polled. In other precincts, close
to the Alabama line, people living
in Alabama, it is also alleged,
were allowed to vote. In speak
ing of the matter yesterday Mr..
Adams stated
"We only want the votes which
were cast for Mr.. Knott in the
primary of June 6. We propose
to prosecute mandamus proceed
ings until every vote is properly
credited to Mr.. Knott that was
cast for him and we believe that
when these votes are given him
he will easily be the nominee OF
the party with several hundred
votes to spare" "
In Baker, Putnam and Pasco
counties those representing Mr..
Knott have, it is claimed, been
denied the privilege of examining
the tally books and poll lists. Wig
orous steps will be taken to be
allowed to examine the records of
the election under chapter 5942,
laws of 1909, sections l and 2,
which provide as follows:
Section /: That all state, cOun-
ty and municipal records at all
times be open for a personal in
spection of any citizen of Flori-
da, and those in charge of such
records shall not refuse this pri-
vilege to any citizen.
Section 2: That any official who
shall violate the provisions of sec
ton / of this act shall be subject
to removal or impeachment.
Where Suits Will be Filed
The following is a list of the
counties in which action may be
and the reasons assign
ed:
Polk county. 1t is claimed
that in Fort Meade precinct sec
ond choice votes were not count
ed, notwithstanding the fact that
Messrs. Farris, Hudson and Wood
received a large vote. There is a
possible $50 or 300 second choice
votes. 1t is also alleged that in
Lakeland precinct there were on
Iy $50 registered Democrats with
more than 400 Republicans and
Socialists. The poll list, it is said,