Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-12-20

But we won't speculate.
The "Standard recently preferred a charge of
fraudulent voting at the Presidential Election, a.
gainst Judge BATTLE. We find in the last number
ofthat paper, the following satisfactory 'plea in a.
batemen."
The above is from the Raleigh Register,
of the 18th inst. We don't exactly under
stand what The Register means by {" plea
in abatement" The Hon. Louis D. Hen
ry was charged by the Federal organ in
this place, with fraudulent vo,ing," and
forthwith all the little dogs, the Trays and
Blanchards of coonery copied the accusa-
ton. Now that the Hon. Judge Battle,
a Wing, is found guilty Of precisely the
same conduct. which he has the manliness
to come out and confess in letter. which
we give below. as it will throw some light
on fraudulent vot,ng," the Register
forthwith enters up for his honor a "plea in
abatement" Well. we suppose the coons,
who have all the decency, can afford to
vote frauduIen,ly as long as they please,
and it's all right; but the moment one of
The poo. slow ragramuffin Democracy as
the renowned James Watson Webb calls
them. is guilty of any such lapsis, donner
and blitsen! lie ought to be held up to the
eyes Of the world as a monster. The fact
is. we don't think either OF the gentlemen
alluded to, has committed the slightest
! fraud !; but we want 10 shew our readers
how utterly inconsistent the Federal Edi-
tors are. We suppose their maxim is,
:. you mustn't do as | do. but as say"
Below is Judge Battles letter, addressed
to the Editor of the ''Standard." by which
it will be seen that he voted out oihis own
county. and according TO the authority of
the "Chronicle," where he had no right to
vote:
| Chapel Hill, Nor. goth, 1914.
To the Editor ofthe Standard:
| DEAR Sir My attention has been called to an
article in your last paper headed /" Judge Battle
guilty Of fraudulent voting;" and commenting up
on the fact of my having voted in the county of
Cleaveiand at the late Presidential election. Had
your: informant stated the circumstances under
which my vote was given, should have had nothing
to say; hut as am unwilling to be condemned un-
heard upon partial erparte statement, trust you
communication containing the following brief &C.
count Of the transaction.
1t being known that the election alluded to- would
occur on Monday ofthe Superior Court of law for
Cleaveland county, the question was started the pre-
ceiling week at Rutherfordton among some of the
members ofthe bar in my presence, whether the
Judge, lawl ers and other persons attending the
Court in cleveland from distance would be en-.
titled to vote there. Col. William J. Alexande,
expressed decided opinion that they would be, and
either he or some other person, present. mentioned
that the late Hon. Archibald Henderson had in hi:
lifetime given the same opinion. replied that a.
the question was considered doubtful enc, and
my opinion inclined to the contrary, would MOI
tender vote unless it SHOULD be decided in the case
Of some other person that ciiilens ofthe State resi-
ding out of the county, might vote, but that if il
were so decided, should then claim the right my.
self. On the day of the election was at Shelby.
vile, the county seat of Cleaveland, but did not 20
near the polls until late in the afternoon, after
had heard from my landlord, democrat, that the
inspectors of the polls had decided in favor of the
right of non-resdents to vote. | then went and
enqured of the inspectors whether they had deci.
; ded as had heard, and. upon being answered in
the affirmative, rendered vote, which was receiv
ed was afterwards informed that B. Ship, ESQ
, Wing, and Col. Alexander and Gen. CASTOR, both
Oeinoclauc ELECTORS, and perhaps all other non.
residents of both parties, who were there on that
day. voted likewise. but whether the three gentle
t men mentioned voted before or after did. | dc
, not know. / heard at the time that the decision
OF the inspectors was founded upon the opinion O.
Col Alexander, but whether that were SO or not
had nothing to do either directly OF indirectly
with the making of the decision but after it wa
made ny the inspectors of the polls, (who are con
stItuted by the 18th section of the SD chapter
the Revised Statutes. sole and exclusive Judges
the qualifications of voters. and was acted upon b,
others, thought then as think now, that haf
the most undoubted right to exercise the same pr
vilege. Il can hardly be necessary for me to say
yet to prevent the possibility being misunderstood
: will say, that in referring to Col. Aexanders o
plnion and vote, do not mean to cast the slight
est mputation upon either his motives or his con
duct. Respectfully yours, &C.,
:. %