The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-10-21
Right.

The registrars of the city did exactly right
Yesterday in refusing TO receive the books OF
registration of which they were deprived in
Ricbmond last week by order Of the United
States Circuit Court. After these books
passed out Of the registrars hands, in out
rage Of Firginian law, they lost their whole
value, and can no more be worthy OF official
trust or official use. The judges of election
are also under intimidation of the Federal
authorities nearly all Of them being under
arre>t-wbilc the books OF registration have
passed through various bands, and may have
undergone material alteration. The whole
machinery of election has been destroyed by
the wanton act of Federal officials, SO that
the books are worthless and the election
Judges under dureSS. Let the Federal au-
thoiiies hold their own election, If they
choose to do so. They have effectually dis
franchised the citizens of THIS city, white
ard black alike Petersburg appeal, 20h
We endorse the above. Let the Federal
Government hold The election in Petersburg
Let Judge BOND appoint all the election
officers. Let the country see that there is a
despotism over US all worse than any third
term need be. Who would Willingly serve
as Il State officer when every negro i'll his
election district has the process Of the United
States ct his back and judges and juries to
enforce it?
The Nc,cs has the following excellent ar
ticle !:
Federal Usurpafion and Erlsult.
After having arrested our city judges of
election and our registrars and placing them
under heavy bond, and after having torcibly
taken possession of our registration books and
copying the same. the Federal authorities in
Richmond have had the kindness (olnitting
the more proper word, impudence) to return
the aforesaid purloined books to this city
and tender them to our baied prisoners,
from whom they should never have been
taken. These registrars very properly re-
fused to accept this ilegaIy-acquired pro-
perry, and all Of our proper city authorities
likewise refused to do so, and consequently
the accommodating deputy marshal, Mr..
ColdWell. has been left to make any other
disposition of them which he or his superiors
may elect.
This is the course we advised, several
days ago, our prosecuted officers to pursue.
IL they were legally and rightfully arrested
and imprisoned (for without bail imprison-
mcnt would necessarily have followed), and
if their books were legally and properly
taken from the registrars, then all of their
rights and powers cease, and future regis
tration in this city must be made, and lu-
ture elections held, under officials appointed
by the Federal authorities in Richmond
In oihcr words, future State elections must
be held under Federal usurpation and in
utter contempt of State laws or authority!
Well, let the Federal authorities in Rich
m0nd pursue this interesting job for awhile
and see how it will work. Let them appoint
their new judges of election and their new
registrars. Let them open their new books
of registration and receive new ballots. We
will be q disiDterested spectator Of such lle-
gaity, but we shall record with pleasure the
shameless usurpation Of Federal power and
the fraudulent ballot which will be recorded
for Stowel on the Sd of November in Pc
tersburg. And if such an election can be
held in this city under the direction of Mar.
shall Ramsdell or his deputies, it can be held
in every county and city of Virginia, and
there is an end of State elections
Perhaps Mr.. Stowell and his party abettors
may See a lively time about this matter OF
Federal tyranny in the next House of Re-
representatives. if the Democrats should gain,
as they most probably will, a majority in
that body. We may then measure the limit
of Federal usurpation.