70 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 19,

entitled An Act, to assist the President and managers of the
Maryland Disabled Soldiers' Home, to procure a building
suitable to an enlarged exercise of their charitable purposes,

Which was read the first time.

Mr. Mules from the Committee on Corporations, reported a
bill entitled An Act, to incorporate the Andrew Small Aca-
demy of Darnestown, in Montgomery county, Maryland,

Which was read the first time.

Mr. Maddox, in the absence, and at the request of Mr.
Trail, submitted the minority report of the Committee on
Elections in the contested election case of Spates vs. Ohr.

MINORITY REPORT.

To the Honorable, the Senate of Maryland:

The undersigned, a minority of the committee on elections,
to which was referred the memorial of Alfred Spates, of Alle-
gany county, contesting the election of Charles H. Ohr, to a
seat in this body as senator for said county, respectfully re-
port:

That having carefully considered said memorial, and the
testimony therewith presented, and the reply of said Charles
H. Ohr, they deduce as the principal points for the considera-
tion of your honorable body, these several charges and alle-
gations.

1st. The presence of armed men in large numbers, who
were in the interest of the sitting member, and assembled at
his suggestion and by his advice; and who, by threats and
violence, intimidated and prevented from voting a large num-
ber of citizens who would have voted for the contestant.

2nd. That the judges of election committed many errors in
counting up the ballots and making out their returns, to the
injury and disadvantage of the contestant; and which, when
rectified, will show that he is justly entitled to the seat now
occupied by C. H. Ohr.

3rd. That many ballots, of duly registered and legally
qualified voters were rejected, which, is counted, would give
the contestant a majority of votes.

The charge that large numbers of armed men surrounded
the polls in election district No. 10, conspiring with the
judges, and acting under the counsel of the sitting member,
threatening force and violence, with intent to overawe and hin-
der the election, thereby preventing a large number of duly
registered and qualified voters from casting their ballots for
the contestant tor senator, is "like the baseless fabric of a
vision," and unsupported by a title of evidence. In this
mountain region where almost every man is a hunter, and
familiar with the use of the rifle, it is customary to carry his