|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1876.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, 405
That your memorialist alleges that lie received a majority
of the legal votes cast at said election outside of the City, of
Baltimore, as will appear by the official returns of said elec-
tion.
That by said returns, the said John Lee Carroll is assumed
to have received a majority of the votes cast in said city over
your memorialist.
That your memorialist alleges, that the said election in the
City of Baltimore was not conducted legally, but was marked
by gross violations of the election law of the State, and by
many and great irregularities affecting its validity, was fraudu-
lent, dishonest and unfair, and attended with such violence
and intimidation as precluded a free expression of the po-
litical preferences of the voters of said city.
That the specific grounds on which your memorialist
charges that the election in said city should be considered a
nullity, are set forth in detail in the memorial of the contest-
ants from said city for seats in the Senate and House of Del-
egates, by whom testimony has already been taken, largely
establishing such charges, and which will be further taken
and submitted, and to which your memorialist begs leave to
refer your Honorable Body.
And your memorialist alleges and believes, that had the
said election in the City of Baltimore been free from the fraud,
violence and intimidation, which characterized it, and had
afforded a fair opportunitv for the expression of the political
preference of the voters of said city, he would have received
a clear majority of the legal ballots cast thereat.
And your memorialist, in deference to the rights and ex-
pressed preference of a majority of the people of the State,
whose suffrages have been defeated, and to your Honorable
body, upon whom the Constitution has devolved the power
and duty of determining the said election, submits his memo-
rial and protest for such action as to your Honorable Body
may seem fit, in view of the gravity of the matters alleged
and the political rights of the people of the State, which are
involved therein.
J. MORRISON HARRIS.
Accompanying this memorial and protest were others from
the reform candidates in the several Legislative Districts of
Baltimore city, contesting the validity of the election of the
2nd of November last, in that city, upon the same grounds
of fraud, intimidation and violence. Memorials to the same
effect from large numbers of citizens of all portions of the
State, were likewise before the Houge, aad more have since
been added, protesting against the election in question, aad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![clear space](../../../images/clear.gif) |