Which return, when so made out and certified, shall be transmitted by the judges to the officer ordering the election, also a poll book as aforsaid shall be kept by the officer whose duty it shall hereafter be made to act as clerk of election, and in case of a contested election, it shall be the duty of the said clerk, to transmit the same to the presiding officer of the court of inquiry in which such contest shall be tried; and the person having the greatest number of votes shall be declared duly elected.

Sec. 15. That all contested elections, shall be tried by a board of officers, to be appointed for that purpose by the officer ordering the same. Provided, that in all cases the members composing such board of of officers as aforsaid, shall be as near as may be, the rank of the officer whose election shall be contested; and shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven <​members​> member

Sec. 16. That the officer appointing the board of officers, as aforsaid, shall notify each member thereof in writing, of the time when, and place where, such board is to be held; and if any officer when so appointed and notified, as aforsaid, shall neglect or refuse to attend at the time and place of holding such board, he shall be liable to be fined as in other cases for neglect of duty, and the decision of all such boards of officers, which may at any time be instituted, as aforsaid, shall be final and conclusive.

Sec. 17. That when any election shall be contested, as aforsaid, it shall not be lawful for any officer, whose duty it may be to certify the same, to make returns thereof, untill a decision shall be had thereon, as aforsaid, after which the presiding officer of the board shall certify to the officer, who may have appointed the same, which of the contending parties are entitled to the office; and such sucsessfull party shall then be commissioned as in other cases. Provided, That no exceptions shall be allowed to be taken to the election of any officer, unless the same be done within ten days after such election shall have been held.

Sec 18. That the presiding officer of any board, which may, at any time, be appointed, to pass upon a contested election, as aforsaid, shall have power, at the request of either party, to send for and examine witnesses; and if any witness, when properly summoned, shall refuse or neglect to attend any such board, as aforsaid, without a reasonable excuse, it shall be the duty of the presiding [p. 6]