The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-10-30

1
order that dividends. to g Big Business
may continue uninterrupted.
PROTECTING REoouNTs.
In tho last number Of The Labor
World editorial comment. was made to
the seemingly queer proceedings insti'
tuted by the Duluth Street Railway
company fol. recount Of the ballots
cast at the special election on the six.
cent ordinance and in which criticism
was offered to the persons who were
named as inspectors to recount the bal
lots. :. 49,
It was the contention of this paper
that the appointment of persons to
serve as inspectors, all known to have
been in favor Of the passage Of the
ordinancs would not inspire public con-
fidence should the recount show re-
versal Of the official count. No? criti-
cism was made Of the persons ap-
pointed that reflected on their char
acter or citizenship, The Labor World
knows them to be high-minded and
honest men. It was held, however,
that common decency would have war
ranted the appointment Of at least one
person as an inspector known to have
been opposed to the passage of the
ordinance.
A mutual friend has since called at
tention to the language Of the editorial,
in which it might be inferred that
criticism was intended for Judge Dan
Ger who made the appointments. We
hasten to assure our friends and read
ers that such was not our purpose. We
know the law applying to the case and
we know Judge Dancer, whose reputa-
tion for fairness has. been we'll estab-
lished in this district. He had nothing
to do with the appointments, except to
confirm the selections made by the rep
rese4tatives Of the: paTties to the con-
test.
Under the law in such a case the
Duluth Street Railway company and
the city had the right to each name
one inspector, and the persons so Sc
lected named the third inspector. The
purpose is, Of course, to name a board
Of inspectors to represent the
court would be fair and impartial in
the examination Of the ballots and to
select for court review such Of the
ballots as may appear to be doubtfully
or questionably marked.
It is important in all cases that a
recount of ballots be supervised by
persons with actual interest in the out
come of the election contest. There
have been times during recounts when
a sufficient number Of ballots were
tempered with to change the results
Of elections. Such experiences prompt
ed the legislature to provide. for the
appointment Of inspectors in the man
ner now prescribed. That is that each
side shall name one and tho two 80
named shall appoint the third:
It is presumed in the contest in ques-
tion that the Duluth Street Railway
company would in Justice to itself name
person to act as inspector who had
an interest in the passage Of the ordi.
nance. It. did name such "a person. On
the other hand the city,, which in this
case represents the majority which
voted down the ordinance, should have
named a person known to have been
against it's passage. The city did not
name such a person.
In usual contests when interested
persons have been named to represent
sides as inspectors, the third person
agreed upon is generally one known to
have been neutral or unpronounced in
his convictions on a question at issue.
In this case the third Inspector is not
a neutral person. He took an active
part in the campaign in favor of the
passage Of the six-cent ordinance.
In this recount there is nothing to be
feared. The majority against the ordi-
nance is so great that it is impossible
to think the official result will be re-
versed. But precedents are dangerous,
and it would be we'll in the future for
our city representatives to follow the
intent and spirit Of the law when nam
ing persons to represent the people as
inspectors in contests over ordinances
or charter amendments which have
been passed by referendum vote. Elec-
ton contests, like Caesar 8 wife,, should
be above suspicion.
FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
Men and women voters Of labor are
reminded that labor has endorsed five