Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-01-18
CONTEST FROM
SILVER BOW IS
TOBE RE0PENED
Time Limit Is Waived by
Both Committee and
Contestees.
RULING WILL THWART
CASE, SAYS ATTORNEY
BY WARREN W. MOSES.

Helena, Jan. 17.-That the committee
On privileges and elections does not in
tend to conduct an investigation OF the
Silver Bow county election or proceed
further along the Dne adopted by the
nine republican legislative contestants
was Impressed upon council for contest
ants In an unmistakable manner at
meeting of the committee, this afternoon.
attended by counsel for both contestants
and contestees and open to ALL Yelling
ton d. Rankin. attorney for the con-
testants, was informed that it would be
UP to him to proceed according to the
method set forth by state law. aItho the
committee and council for contestees
were willing TO waive certain technical
tiles and time limits Mr. Rankin was
anything but pleased at the outcome and
remarked that to proceed according to
the ruling of the committee would serve
to thwart the contest
Arguments Cut Off.
At the time for the opening of the
meeting. Mr.. Rankin sought to address
the committee upon the merit of the
case, but was stopped By Chairman
Coaney by the statement that the com
mittee was not desirous of hearing argu-
ments. He said the committee had given
careful consideration to the case and
was endeavoring to proceed according to
law and with Justice to the rights of the
parties involved. that the committee had
ro evidence before it and only a peti-
ton based on information and belief
alleging frauds. which petition was
signed only by interested parties.
He said the committee had virtually
been asked to constitute itself grand
- 6rsr IN "a oh NJ
of 1909 witnesses, open ballot boxes
and proceed in a manner which would
mean an expenditure of anywhere from
SIS 5000 to $4,000 of the states money,
whereas it was not the desire of the
committee to expend single dollar for
the collection of evidence at this time.
Contesteas Waive Advantage.
He informed Mr.. Rankin that the
committee did not desire to take ad-
vantage of contestants and would waive
the time clause in the law. provided
counsel for the two sides would agree
upon the same and file stipulation
with the clerk of the court at the time
of filing the complaint He said that
when depositions had been taken accord
ing to the law and returned to the com
nittee sealed, it would take such action
as seemed just and fair.
c. B. Nolan. counsel for eontestees.
said there should be no impairment of
the rights OF contestants by reason nf
the action already taken and he would
make no attempt to take an advantage
Of contestants. but would render any
assistance proper. that he would waive
time limits or technicalities. He estimat-
I'd that the necessary investigation would
entail an expense of 5000 or $4,000
md felt some arrangement should be
made by the legislature to take care Of
this expense, which he presumed would
have to be borne by the state
Supreme Court Rule Cited.
Rankin said he did not think full in
vesGgation could be obtained by the TAX
ing of dispositions by justices of the
peace. as required by the law adhered
to by the committee. and held that he
was proceeding in accordance with a
ruling of the supreme court. He appeal
ed for an open'hearing, upon the grounds
CONTINUED on Page Two.