Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-11-13
LARGE BLOCK OF
BENS0N'S Vote
IS THROWN OUT
Another halt was encountered in winding up
canvass of votes for Tuesdays election on Satur-
day, when the board assembled to check up the

iAiiol account ana pre-
pare the list of official
return totals. Ole Ben
son, of this city, who was declared
winner over the present represe nta.
tive William M. Scanlan, in Tues.
days election, caused the delay when
he objected to 450 votes being thrown
out which it is alleged were in Tues
days election, and not tailed cor.
rectly on the records.
Ihe votes were cast in the fourth
precinct of Bruce townships Some
obboth Benson and Scanlan were
lost in the second precinct Of Mem
dota, and a few others thrown out or
gained by either they or other candi-
dates, in several precincts thruout
the county
The final returns will not make any
dlfrerences in the results of the elec-
tion. Mr.. Benson, however SAYS he
wants all the votes cast for him in
GUIDED in the final returns. The
board summoned Attorney G. B.
Chapman, to represent them and ad-
wise with them after which they re-
turned until today.
Wires Capital For Figures.
Mr.. Benson late Saturday, wired
the Secretary of State asking that
he tally sheet sent him for the
fourth precinct of Streator be exam
ined and the number of ballots mark
ed up for him be wired to Ottawa.
Three tally sheets are made by the
election judges, one going to the
49, Al.
tary of State and the third to the
Streator town clerk Mr.. Benson al
leges that the latter sheet was Tailed
correctly . ...s. "a .--..
In the fourth precinct of Bruce, the
feures show chat lfr. Benson re-
ceived $40 votes. OF this number on
ly 100 were tailed and the others
lust indicated by figures.
thrown out" stated Mr.. Benson this
morning, in commenting on the ac
tion of the board
Zurich Hunts for Irregularities.
A countrywide investigation of al
'eeed election Irregularities is being
conducted today by lieutenants of
George Zurich, Democratic candidate
for sheriff at the election last Tuesday,
preparatory to filing a petition ask.
ing for recount Of votes. Unofficial
returns and the official canvass of the
votes gave f. j. Welter, Republican,
a majority of more than 500 in the
election of sheriff last Tuesday.
Mr. Zurich today stated that he was
urged generally by residents from all
parts CT the county to contest the
election before he finally decided to
ask recount. Both Republicans and
Democrats, he claims, wanted the con-
test, urging him to stage a fight in
hope of cleaning up and bettering the
La Sale county election machinery
and board He stated today that both
Republicans and Democrats came to
him. urging that he go through with
a contest as a guard against future
election irregularities, which, thev
claimed, had been staged in the past
and would occur in the future unless
steps we're taken now to check them.
Friends of Mr.. Zurich have already
subscribed toward contest fund" to
pay the expenses OF the legal battle
which will be carried on in the Cir
cult Court Mr., Zurich refused to
state what attorney would be employ
ed TO represent him in the battle.
He has thirty days after Mr., Welter
has been notified by the canvassing
board of his election to the office to
file a petition asking a recount In
the meantime, the ballots which are to
be recounted will be held by County
Clerk Thomas A. Ferguson pending
the court count and action subsequent
to the filing of the petition.