Montana labor news., 1936-12-03
LABOR TO HOLD CONVENTION
WE ARE WATCHING

For the past several days, there has been conducted proceed
ings in the District Court of this County on a hearing inaugurated
by jeremiah J. Lynch, a candidate for the office of District Judge
of Silver Bow County, under a law passed by the Legislature at
its last session, and known in legal circles as the Recount Law.
Under this law, any unsuccessful candidate for any office who
believes there was a mistake or miscount of votes in any one or
all of the precincts, and that if a recount were had, it would be
shown that he was the successful candidate for such office, may
file an application in the District Court setting forth such facts
and asking that an order be made directing the County Board of
.Canvassers to open the ballot boxes and recount the ballots in
such precincts as he shall allege there was such mistake or mis-
count.
In the present proceedings, it is claimed that a recount of
the votes cast-for the applicant, jeremiah j. Lynch, and the sue
cessful candidate, Frank [. Riley, will show that the former re-
should thus be declared the successful candidate. There were
four candidates for this office, but Judge Downey received a
substantial majority which assures him of one of the judgeships,
and the other candidate received considerable less than either
Mr.. Lynch or Mr.. Riley, and therefore, the controversy as has
been developed by the hearing, is between MI. Lynch and Mr..
Riley.
Because of the fact that both judges of our District Court
were candidates at this election, which disqualified them from
hearing the application, Governor Holt appointed Judge Lieper
of Glendive to hear the proceedings. The matter has occupied
the court for the past several days, and has resulted in an order
by the court, requiring the County Board Of Canvassers to recon
vene on Friday, December 4, 1896, at the hour OF 10 o'clock A. M,
and recount the ballots for the office Of District Judge in some
f~orty-three precincts.
The hearing has developed some startling conditions alleged
to have existed on election day. According to the testimony,
there was an organization of persons distributing ballots through
out the city which were placed in the ballot boxes in an irregular
manner. According to the evidence produced at the hearing, in
at least one of the polling precincts, a Deputy United States
Marshal, accompanied by one Of the candidates and some of his
adherents, entered the precinct and exhibiting his badge of office,
demanded of the judges that they turn over to him the ballots
The Judges complied with tie demand, and the ballots were taken
to another part of the polling place by such marshal and after a
few minutes returned to the judges with the remark that there
were illegal ballots among them and the judges were requested
to make a recount, which was done. This and other startling
testimony developed during the hearing on one side and strongly
denied on the other, has caused much speculation and a great deal
of interest on the part Of the citizens Of the community who have
followed the proceedings. The outcome of the recount which
has been ordered, will undoubtedly prove whether or not a mis-
take or miscount has been made, and the public in general will
await the final results.
Organized labor being composed Of the working men and
women of the community, who are vitality interested in their
government, and whose every interest which is affected by the
proper administration Of justice and above all by honest elections
which place in office men and women who administer the laws
affecting their daily life, will watch the outcome Of this pro
ceedng. Whichever way the matter is finally decided, they will
in future elections be mindful Of the fact that honest, impartial
and Just administration of all laws pertaining to such a vital right
Of American citizens as the ballot, is absolutely necessary to pro-
tect their rights. They will see to it that dishonest methods in
electing any candidate are not tolerated, and a breach OF this
important law is dealt with in the proper manner.