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1876.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 1349
And so we might go on through the whole city and find
in every precinct, conclusive evidence of fraud from the fig-
ures of the returns of the two elections, but the example
above given will, doubtless, suffice to satisfy every reasona-
ble mind as to the iraudulent character of the election.
If, however, there be any still in doubt, the following facts
will be, to what has gone before, "confirmation strong as
proof of Holy Writ." Summing up, and comparing the total
vote of the 3rd Legislative District we find that the rote re-
turned at the State election exceeds that of the Municipal
election by 2,787, which excess is divided between Carroll
and Harris in the proportion of 2,414 to Carroll and 373 to
Harris.
But this gain of 2,787 is only an apparent and deceptive
gain, as we have 4,087 ballots in excess of names on the poll
books. Thus there is really a loss of 1,300, and the legal
vote at the State election fell behind that at the Municipal
election by this number.
Again it further appears, that the total vote at the Muni-
cipal election was 15,527 and the total number of actual
votes as shown by the poll books at the State election, (the
Democratic and Reform clerks' books agreeing with each
other,) to be 15,435, making a difference between the vote at
the Municipal election, and the total legal vote as shown by
the clerks' boosk, at the State election of only 92; thus show-
ing how nearly the bona fide legal vote at the two elections
agree.
Nevertheless, it appears that Mr. Carroll in the official
vote returned, (and upon which he and these respondents
now hold their seats,) has a clear gain of 4,087 votes, which
is precisely the number of ballots in the excess of names of
voters, appearing upon the poll books for the State election.
We have dwelt thus particulary upon the contrasts and
discrepancies disclosed by the election returns in the various
precincts, because figures rightly understood and interpreted
can never mislead, and because the results of their study in
this connection is extremely striking.
Men may speak falsely, or forget, but when one is able to
demonstrate the existence of any fact by the rules of arith-
metic, the conclusions come to the mind clothed with abso-
lute verity.
But the contestants produce also masses of parol testimony,
positive, direct and reputable which not only successfully
bears the test of the most extended cross examination, but is
very frequently strengthened thereby. More especially,
however, is it strengthened and confirmed by its concur-
rence with the proofs and deductions drawn from the etas
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