The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-10
ELECTION CASES.
more Cunvnssers Held for Tria

George Benson and j. G. Lightfoot Republican
canvassers of the Fifth division Of the Twenty-se
cond ward, were arraigned before Alderman Kerr
this morning. for further bearing upon the cnarge
of conspiring with william Hopkins to violate the
Registry act. The prosecution endeavored to prove
on Saturday that the canvassers Illegally placed
upon the assessment list the names of two colored
men who, it is alleged admitted that they had not
paid any taxes within two years, and who were fur
tered on the registry. The names of the coored men
are Isaac Mckinsey and Samuel Lee. The former
testified this mor0ing that he was a resident OF Ger
mantown At the request Of the Alderman Isaac
presented his tax receipt, which he said given
to him nsd e MI @ sas Oh To-Day rsSe age 60 T ad
lived all his life In Germ intown; the receipt
dated 0ctober1 l. two days before it was given to him.
MIR. Mann, representing the defendants, presented
the regular assessment list showing McKinseys
name entered there in proper form.
Samuel Lee testified that he had no tax receipt,
but his name was put on the list.
Mr.. SOrber, the Democratic canvasser, testified
that he objected to the names OF the colored men
being placed on the list he did not hear Hopkins
say that Mcl<insey s name was on the regular list;
Hopkins told the other canvassers to put the names
down; that he could see that the men got tax re-
Cepts; witness was not aware that Lees name was
stricken from the list of qualified voters.
Mr.. Mann said that no crime had been committed.
1t was shown that McKinsey was on the regular list,
and therefore everything was done in order. As to
Lee there was intentional design on the part OF
the canvassers to commit wrong.
Mr.. CASSIDY, representing the prosecutor, @ asked
OF misdemeanor in office. AS to Hopkins there was
no evidence Of guilt on his part, and he would not
therefore ask for his binding over.
The Aldermen held Lightfoot and Benson in 5000
bail each to answer.
Caleb G. Collins John Siuer, Thomas Benson,
and Thomas Clemens the two latter caHNassers
of the Seventeenth division of the Nineteenth ward,
and The former vouchers were charged with ille-
gally striking from the list the names of qualiHel
voters
the same division, testified that on the evening OF
the Sd Of October Collins and Sner appeared, and
presented list OF twenty five names to be stricken
from the list; these names stricken Off the
aidavits OF Collins and Siner who Swore to the best
of their knowledge that they were disqualified by
sale manner OF erasng names from the list, aud one
| OF the canvassers agreed with him, and showed a
disposition not to strike the names Of: witness pre-
seDted list OF the twenty persons, wiose names
| were stricken on.
witness said was correct one. Witness further
said that all, with the exception of three had moved
away; these three he could not fnd but their wives
were living at the places given as their residences.
Mr. Mann contended that the men had deserted
| their families, and witness admitted that one OF
| them was said to be somewhere in the country.
Mr.. Mann inquired of Murtha If nearly all the
answered yes The three referred to by him were
Democrats, and they were entitled to vote, provided
Mr.. Murtha called of the names of persons whom
he testified were voters in the division, and whose
names were stricken from the list in consequence OF
| Brown testifyiDg that he had served subpRnas on
the parties and they did not appear. Witness fur
ther testified that some Of the parties deny receiv-
| ing notices to appear before the canvassers.
naturalized citizen testsded that he had been
served with subpoena signed by Brown and Clemens,
but 1t was not filled up and he did not know where
to appear. This citizen did not receive his papers
until September 26,. but before that Murtha had
! placed his name on the list a qualified voter.
/ Mr.. Cassidy here stated that he would not call
any more witnesses, as he thought case had been
| made out.
| Mr.. Mann claimed, and Murtha admitted it, that
| the canvassers had acted conscientiously, and he
would insist on hearing all the testimony. What
ran, hut IT was lamentable failure to make olt a
The naturazed citizen was again called to the
| stand and he testified that he had been voting on
his fathers papers previous to taking out his own
Mr.. Mann-This has misled the canvasaers.
The magistrate disposed OF the case by holding
| vouchers in $1,000.
False r. egistrntion.
| William Mereto was arraigned before Alderman
Beler this merning upon the charge OF false regis
| tration. He was arrested on the complaint of Johu
| A. Armstrong, who charges him with aiding, abet-
ing, assisting, and procuring said Armstrong, Will
liam H. Sleeper, and Others to be falsely registered
and assessed in the NiAth ward of the city OF Pna-
election to be held in said city for members Of Con-
gress and other officers October II, 1870. Arm
| strong's complaints are as follow
John A. Armstrong being duly according to law
st4eet IN said cty ~ William Merste John MscRey Snd
ssss to De S
tOber II, 1870 Deponent registered At No 1919 Mar,
at sP e an 1
s0 5S did Massg
70 where he give his for
mentioned, was, deponent believes registered in Fill
bert street, between Tenth and eleventh, at
other places in said ward: william Mereto and John
Macksy both oeponent and Sleeper instructions
to the house from which they to be registered
Meretc writing the directions slip of pap that
| no mistake could be made Mereto aud Mackey W ou Id
first go around and find house from which we could
| j. A. ARMSTRONG.
and subscribed before this 9TH day Octo
| Der, A. u. 1870 DAVID BEfTLER Alderman.
The statement OF William H. Sleeper is to the same
effect
Reilly, who made his escape in such a mysterious
manner from the Sixth District Police Station, and
| Mereto, OF the defendants, is a brother OF
| special officer Mereto who is new under bail for
| aiding in the escape of Reilly.
| Mereto was held in $4,000 bail for further hearing
on Thursday a. noon.
| THE NWAT LHERS."