Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-04
New Facts Developed.
The Radical Dodge to Disfranchise
the Legal Voters Of Davidson
County.
A WORD FROM THE FORMER SHEER
EFF. AND THE OFFICERS OF
ELECTION DESIRABLE.

On yesterday there appeared in the edi-
torial columns Of this paper, a call upon the
County Court Clerk Of this county, to de-
mand Of the Secretary Of State, the posses
sion and custody Of the poll-books in the
elections Of November, 1864, aud Of those in
February and March, 1865. They deter
mine the right of suffrage Of many hun
dreds Of the people of this county under the
late franchise law; and without the evidence
of which they will be deprived Of the
primary and essential rights Of freemen.
We called upon the Clerk Of the County
Court. because he was the legal custodian Of
the records in question. Wenow have every
reason TO believe he has fully performed his
duty.
Ile informs us, that portion Of the poll
lists for Davidson county for the election in
November 1864, February 1865 and March
1865. are in the office Of the Secretary Of
State that in neither Of said elections were
they returned to his Office. lie cannot ac-
count for the failure on the part Of the re-
turning officers 10 make such return as the
law requires, or by whose authority they
were withheld lie remembers, however, on
one occasion after one of the three elections
named was held, asking the then Sheriff
why the returns were not made to his office.
The Sheriff replied, that he ,oas instructed to
make the returns TO the Secretary Of State.
He did not state by whose authority. lie
was prompted to ask this question, as he
conceived was his duty as an officer. lie
called at the Secrotary's office yesterday
morning and demanded the poll lists, which
properly belong Ia his office. He was in
formed by the Clerl, acting for the Secretary
iu his absence, " that he was not at liberty
60 deliver up said returns, although he knew
they belonged ia his ithe County Clerks
office and that the Secretary himself, if pres
cnt would not give them up. for the reason
that he did not know by virtue Of what or
der they were placed there. And owing TO
the confusion of the papers Of the former
Secretary, +. II. EAST, or the manner in
which he kept said papers, he could not find
such an order
The Clerk then asked him il he consider
ed any military order which required the
return Of said lists, at the time Of said cleo
ton, TO his lthc Secretary 81 Office, as in force
aau that hc State has resumed Us GIRL fsHc-
Gons and recognized the raiidhy Of eiuii lu,r
lie replied that he knew that the civil law
was in force, but that he had no authority TO
permit the returns being taken from his Of
fee. he stated, houcrcT, that he Irouid
attest a copy Of aug or al Of The lists 'rtioh
wrrr properly certified By The Clerks and
Judges qf either Of said elections that
the Clerks who held said elections were
privileged TO have access 10 said lists, or any
other parties who choose to inspect them.
lie regretted that they were in his office, but
did not feel at liberty to give them up. The
Clerk Of the County Court ascertained that
the Commissioner If Registration receipted
to the Secretary Of State for poll lists for the
following Wards md election, viz:
q