The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-09-23
mitchell ASKS
FOR RECOUNT
Takes Benefits Dare and Gets
Court Order Covering
Every Borough.

Mayor Mitchell last night took steps
to secure q recount OF the ballots cast
In wednesday's Republican primary.
William N. Bennett. making charges
Of fraud and asserting that the Mayors
plurality OF 6S5 would vanish upon
judicial scrutiny. has been talking about
the same measures. But Mitchell. taking
the dare and beating Bennett to it. went
last night before Justice Joseph r. New
burger Of the Supreme Court and Sc
cured an order returnable Monday
which calls upon Bennett to show cause
why the ballot boxes should not be
reopened.
Mayor Explains Course.
The Mayors statement in explanation
says:
II do not propose to permit Mr.. Benz
nett to make unsustained charges OF
fraud in the primary election an ap-
parent justification for an Independent
candidacy in the interest OF Tammany
Hall.
Mr.. Bennett has charged fraud in the
urinary returns without making any
anort to prove It. II fraud has been
committed no one 10 more interested
than in establishing that fact. would
| not accept either nomination or election
| unon the basis Of fraudulent count or
, an illegal vote.
"As Mr.. Bennett has not seen Mt to
take anv steps to test the truth OF his
charge I consider 1t my duty to myself
and to the people Of the city 70 'nst'ute
| nroceedinRs to test the honesty OF tne
! primary election and tho count Oh '"o
votes"
Bennett had been making the utmost
/ nossible capital out of the close result
OF the primary. Reiterafing his charees
of fraud, he asserted he would demanh
a recount In Manhattan and The Bronx
The action of the Mayor and the fusion
committee does not thus limit the scope
Of the inquiry. but applies to the entire
greater city.
Bennett further dwelt upon the innu.
ando of fraud by clamoring yesterday u
nave the ballot boxes taken away from
the custody of the police and put Into
| a storage warehouse He wrote letter
to the Board Of Elections making thit
request.
Urxed Mayor to Join In Action.
IT want those ballot boxes placed un
der guard" he said. 'In the Twelfth
Election district Of the Fourteenth As
sembly district the tally sheets showed
Is votes for Mayor Mitchell and Is 10
me. The total vote shown was 26. bu
16 and IS make 2s. On the tally shee
was a notation. Two votes counted tina
were written on Democratic ballots
1--WE don't know to what extent thi
! has been done. but ] have heard that !,
the Fourth Election district Of the Tent
Assembly district a similar mistake wa
: made.
) III the Mayor does not join with m
. in this demand" he added. "his doom
> Is still further sealed"
/ That was said In the afternoon. TIL
: Mayor took the dare at night Tn
fusion committee pointed out that tn
election law provides that In case OF
contested nomination any candidat
shall be entitled as Of right to an ex
anlina ton In person or by authorize
, agents Of any primary ballots upo
; which bis name lawfully appeared.
Citet Dennett's Tsrdiness.
o This provision was put into the la
{ 70 that / defeated candidate could In
4 msdiatsiy look At the ballots an
]. satisfy himself MS to the result an
n whether or not fraud had been con
{ nnitted," the committee said. "Mr. Bet
Z matt has failed 20 avail himself of Ii
Q provisions OF this law, although he ha
been charging fraud and errors sint
d Thursday morning"
. Other political dsvslopmehts OF ys'
d terday were numerous but hardly q
& thrilling. Norris Hillquit. Socialist car
y didate for Mayor. denied with conside
able emphasis that he was quoted col
! rectly by . Hsarst nswspapsr whiC
49, him ~ JH4ss 1ysaA esessp'