Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-11-30
Republican Candidates for Sheriff and
Probate Judge Allege Voting al
Columbus Was Not ON Square.
GIVE LIST or VOTES REFUSED
Siyty-five Given by Name as Being
Legal Voters Who Were Refused
Ballots by Judges Of Election

1he threatened contests growing ON;
or the late election Of county officers
became n certainty last Friday wb,.a
attorneys for the contestants filed two
contests In the district court. In his
petition q. II. Iindloff, who was n can.
dluhte Tor sheriff on the republican
Ticket, asks that the certificate OF elsc-
tion issued TO Jack Smyer, democratic
nominee for sheriff, he set aside and
that such certificate be- issued 10 him.
lie recites that he received $40 votes
his opponent, on the face of the re.
turns $50, but that he (Mr. Lindloffl
should have received 1905. A list of
slxty-five names are given az being
legal voters whom the judges OF tho
election "unlawfully and wrongfullv"
refused 10 permit 10 vote and who
would have voted for the contestant
had they been 40 permitted.
Judge IL. y. McKeyes, who was the
republican candidate for probate Judge.
asks that the certificate of election of
Judge C. c. Rogers. his democratic op.
ponent, he set aside and that such GER
tificate be issued 10 him. In his peti-
teen he states that he received 927
votes, the cOntestee and respondent
eo3, but that he should have received
wv. The same list Of names are at.
lached as being legal voters who were
illegally restrained from casting their
ballots for the contestant.
Twenty days are allowed by law for
the filing OF an answer by the contes-
tees and respondents. Testimony will
then be taken and a hearing Ind.
Should the contestants be- successful In
the district court they will be given
possession OF the offices until final
decision Is rendered In the supreme
court The terms OF office begin Janu.
airy next. The costs OF the action
viii be assessed against the losing par
ties. e.
A. W. Pollard, r. +. Hamilton and
+. l.. Medler are named as attorneys
for the contestants.
The filing of the contests grew out
Of the refusal Of the judges of election
at Columbus 10 permit sixty-five negro
women, wives OF soldiers, to vote II
was understood at the time that the
judges based their decision on the fact
that the soldiers themselves could not
vote and that therefore their wives
could not vote. The matter seems 10
hinge on the legal question as 10
whether or not wife can acquire a
voting residence separate from that OF
her husband. However, the republicans
claim that the soldiers themselves were
legal voters, who had registered. hut
who were not permitted, or who were
persuaded not TO present themselves at
the polling place. In addition, the
republicans claim, that, assuming that
the soldiers themselves were not legal
voters. their wives had the right under
the 10th amendment 10 the T. S. con-
stitution, TO fix their voting residence
separate from that OF their husbands.
providing that they fulfilled all tha
conditions required by the law as to
intention, domicile and concrete evi-
dence Of good faith. No effort was
made by the republicans to get the sol
diers To vote. II seems that meeting
was held at Columbus at which time
Gen. Howe called all the members of
his command and their wives together
and warned them against illegal voting
and that the district attorney spoke,
also warning those present against the
dangers OF illegal voting. Republicans
contend that, as n result OF this meet
ing, legal voters were persuaded that
they had no right 10 vote and would
he punished by such voting However.
criminal action Is not intended. ac-
cording to common report, unless the
democratic leaders make good their
threat TO take action because Of alleg-
cd irregularities In registration In
Deming. Somebody's bluff may be-
called and a rather delicate situation
created. Luna county citizens are
watching the proceedings with interest
and with the hope that their will will
not he thwarted by over jealous poll
ticians