COUNT 'EM, SAYS
PENDERGAST
FIRST WARD ALDERMAN WANTS
BALLOT BOXES OPENED.
SAYS THAT WILL DISCLOSE WHO
PERPETRATED FRAUD.
Claims That Ballots Were Cast for
Men He Favored at the Pri-
maries, but They Are Not
on the Tally Sheets.
Alderman James Pendergast of the First ward is not greatly excited over charges of alleged fraud in last Tuesday's primaries. He said last night that he does not seriously consider the charges made by John F. O'Donnell, evidently defeated candidate for county marshal, that there was fraud in the alderman's ward, the First.
"Are they crying about fraud in the Second and in the Third wards?" asked the alderman "Certainly they are not. Now, I know something 'bout things were run out in the Second ward. Why, they just voted men as they pleased, there.
"Here is something else for Mr. O'Donnell to consider. In the First precinct of the Third ward there were four good, prominent men working all day for our ticket. They brought in lots of votes and got them honestly, but not even their votes show up in the count. There wasn't a vote cast there for one of our candidates -- I mean not a vote counted."
Alderman Pendergast stated positively that he does not believe Joel Mayes, who defeated O'Donnell, wants the office if he did not win it fairly. He said May is perfectly willing for a count of the ballots and has suggested to O'Donnell that the latter contest.
"There is but one way to find out," said Alderman Pendergast. "Count the ballots. Open the ballot boxes. That is what O'Donnell should do or quit crying fraud. I don't think he will do either."
