The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-11-06
NICE LIKELY TO WIN BY OFF,
CIAL CANVAS INCREASING VOTE
Ritchie's Plurality Steadily Wanes as
the Count in State and City Goes On.

Ritchie's Plurality Steadily Wanes as
the Count in State and City Goes On.
The Baltimore American this (Fri-
day. morning contained the following
relative to the Gubernatorial election
held in Maryland on Tuesday:
Last night the state committees Of
both parties were claiming the elec-
ton of their respective candidates Acc
cording to the unofficial returns re-
ceived the night previous, Richie was
leading Nice by 1926 votes. Yesterday
morning word reached Republican
headquarters that missing district
In Garrett county had cut this down to
178. Then both sides got busy. Chair
men of committees were wired to
watch the canvass closely and remit
the results by telephone or telegraph
Immediately after the count was con-
cluded. The first news received after
that which came from Garrett was
that Nice had picked up more than a
hundred votes over the estimate given
out, followed by a message from
Prince George, still further reducing
Ritchie's lead. IA
At intervals afterwards the county
people kept Chairman TAFT advised Of
small gains and losses, which con.
tinued to decrease Ritchie's vote,
and early last evening the chairman
announced that, according to his
figures, Ritchie's lead had been cut
down to 108, and there were still to
be heard from eight counties and % Of
the % wards of the city.
The local canvassers completed but
five wards, and they will continue the
work today. An army counsel repre-
scented either party at the count and
every figure was followed as read off,
Mr.. Nice arrived at headquarters
IN the afternoon and remained until
evening. As his chances improved he
made the statement that if the off,
cial canvass showed he was elected
by one vote he would not be denied
his seat. Mr.. TAFT last night insisted
he had every reason to believe that
the returns to follow would wipe out
Rltchie's scant paper majority and
give Nice the election. Of Mr.. Arnl-
strong's election there does not APP
pear the shadow of , doubt, but
Woodcock's defeat by Lee is more
than possible.
An interesting situation may de-
velop in Wicomico, where it is charged
the judges in one of the election pre-
cincts did not take the trouble to count
the votes, but filled out the tally sheet
as they liked. The local chairman
was advised to protest this count.
The third step in the settlement of
the close ELECTION will be the meeting
of the State Board of Canvassers,
which will under the law, take place
at Annapolis on some date within 80
days of the election. This board will
receive the certified returns from the
many Boards of Election supervisors
and in turn compile, canvass and Off
cially determine the state totals.
Whatever the outcome of these two
official canvasses, there may still be
steps to be taken by the Republicans.
While there has been no announce
ment of intention to demand either a
statewide recount, or a recount in
Counties or districts, where irregu-
larities may be alleged to have &C.
Cured, this is being held in reserve
by the Republican management.
Should this final step be taken in iso-
lated districts or precincts, and the
figures be changed to favor Mr.. Nice
and show him elected, it is not at all
certain that the same plan would be
followed in retaliation by the demo-
Gratis in sections where they might
consider they had chance to change
results by opening the ballot boxes.