Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-13
SENATORSD|
BALLOTSB SEIZED
IN VARE ELECTION
Records in Two Counties and
139 Rural Districts to
Be Taken Over.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Immediate seizure of the ballots
cast in Philadelphia and Allegheny
Counties in the Pennsylvania sena-
torial election last November was de-
cided upon today by the Senate cam
paign funds committee.
In addition, agents of the commit
tee will take over the ballots in 139
precincts in rural districts, in which
William 8. Ware. successful Repub-
lican candidate, told the committee
he had received a total of only 480
votes. or less than 4 votes to the pre-
cinct.
Seizure of the ballots, registration
lists, return sheets, tally sheets poll
lists and voters check lists will be the
first step in the Senate investigation
of charges of wholesale fraud in reg
istration and voting made in the pc.
tition of contest against the seating
of Ware brought by William B. VIII
son, the Democratic candidate.
Reed Praises Spirit.
Mr.. Ware appeared personally be-
fore the committee, while Mr.. Wilson
was represented by Rowland B. Ma
hany, and his daughter, Miss Agnes
Wilson. Ware and Mahany signed a
joint request to all officers of Penn
sylvania and the various counties re-
questing them to deliver to the Senate
sergeant-at- or his representa-
tives all of the ballots and other docu.
ments used in the November election.
Both Ware and Mahany agreed to
immediate seizure of the ballots in
those districts where Irregularities in
registration and voting had been
charged.
That is the proper spirit" COM
mented Senator Reed, Democrat,
Missouri, chairman of the committee.
He told the contestants that the
committee wanted to avoid the
bringing of unnecessary ballot boxes
to Washington, explaining that If all
of the more than 5000 boxes were
seized it would require several rail
road cars to transport them to
Washington.
Il want to cooperate in every
way" Senator-e elect Ware said, but
do want the same right that Mr..
Wilson has, to have counsel and If
l desire, to rescind by action here
today. And that applies even to the
signing of the joint letter asking for
the delivery of the ballots to the
Senate sergeant at arms
Chairman Reed asked Ware TO fur
nish the sergeant at arms the names
of the 139 precincts in which he de-
sires an investigation.
Would Take Three Years.
While the actual counting of the
ballots Is rot expected to begin until
after the present Congress adjourns,
estimates made in Harrisburg show
that 20 freight cars would be required
TO move to Washington the 1894 bal
lot boxes used in the last election It
also was estimated that more than
three years would be necessary for
counting the ballots, figuring on the
basis of one hour for a Judge and two
clerks to count votes in each of the
1894 districts, working eight hours
day 300 days to the year.
What plans are to be made to meet
this herculean task are not known at
this time, but the counting job is ex-
pected to be completed before the in
quiry gets under way into the charges
of fraud in voting and registration
made by Wilson in his contest petit
ton.
Senator Blease, Democrat, South
Carolina, has taken the position, an
like many others of his party that
the Senate should accept thescreden-
tials of Ware and Frank~1. Smith,
Senator-designate from Illinois, before
passing upon their qualifications. He
said 1t was the JSenate's duty under
the doctrine Of States rights 20 ac-
cept the credentials of those certified
by sovereign State.
Should Be Given Oath.
His stand was similar to that
adopted by Oscar K. Carlstrom, attor.
ney general for Illinois, who declared
after conferences at the Capital yes
terday that Smith should be admins
tered the oath and then given an OPP
portunity TO present his story of the
campaign contributions which led to
the fight against him.
Senator Bingham. Republican. Con-
necticut, cited precedents to show that
Senator might be expelled after
taking the oath by a majority rather
than two-thirds vote.
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