He was not objectionable to the bulk of the minority voters of the company. If he did not know that at the time of the election he learned it soon afterward. One by one, as opportunity offered, they came to him, congratulated him, and gave him sincere assurances of their entire loyalty. His opponent had, indeed, been their choice, either for reasons of preference or policy, but McCormack was in no sense displeasing to them. This, much to his satisfaction, they made him understand.
So, in due course, the return of the election was forwarded through regimental headquarters to the Adjutant-General, the several headquarters through which it passed endorsing thereon their approval. It was as follows:
“To the Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania:
“Sir:
“At an election held on the fifth day of October, A. D. 1915, for First Lieutenant of Company E, ——th Infantry, N. G. P., the following named person was duly elected, to wit: Halpert McCormack of Benson County; and I hereby certify that the company now bears upon its rolls the names of sixty-seven bona-fide enlisted men, that at this election sixty-seven men were paraded in State uniform, that the candidate elected received thirty-four votes, and that he has been duly notified by me of his election. Witness my hand this seventh day of October, A. D. 1915.
“Mowbray Huntington,
Major,
Conducting Election.”
“Attest,
Richard L. Manning,
Clerk of Election.”
This return was accompanied by McCormack’s acceptance as follows:
“To the Adjutant-General,
State of Pennsylvania:
Through Intermediate Headquarters.