Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-22
LOCAL NEWS.


SIpsRl NrEND DENTS ANOTHER PRIMARY ELEC-
T,os ORDERED Pursuant to call Of the
Chairman, a meeting Of tue Ward Superinten-
ucuts of the Conservative party was held on
Saturday night, IN the rooms OF the late Board
If Pubic Works, at which there were present:
NJ. ii. Nash, from the lst Ward; George 4.
Shluu, Edgar Snowdeu jr., frcm the 2ud Ward;
JAS. VI. Steuart. w. II. Smith, from the 3Td
Ward aud Z. 5. Hooe, Jno. b. Smoot, from
the 18th Ward
Juo. B. Smoot Couaty Superintendent, IN
the chair aud Geo. r. Shinn, secretary.
There were also present, by invitation of the
Committee, the commissioners of the primary
election held May 18th, viz
LIST Ward-Jno. Marriott, B. ii. Lambert.
2ui Ward -Gcorge L. Simpson, j. r. Nick
hp and L. Fl. Kr.
3rd ard-Col Basil Brawoer. I. J.. Brockett.
4th Ward--B E. Nails, E. L. Price and W.
L. Milburn. 49,
The candidates for City Sergeant, John ".
Campbell and Dr.. j. &. Hill, we're also present
by invitation.
The chairman stated that the Committee had
been convened In consequence OF DIR. y. u.
Hill havirg Notified him lha, he objected to
the returns made by the Commissioners where
by Mr.. Campbell, his competitor, was shown
TO have been nominated by one majority, and,
that in consequence of irregularities 10 several
of the wards the returns did not show the cor
rect expression Of the voters, aud he asked that
they be set aside.
DR.. Hill was then invited to make his state
ment to the Committee which he did, and
claimed tina, in the 3rd Ward, Conservative
votes had been refused because the names OF
the voters were not on the registration books,
while in The 2ud Ward votes bad been received
when the names were not registered tie
further stated that he came before the Commit
tee king that the matter might receive their
attention, and it, after investigation, they were
satisfied Mr.. Campbell had been fairly noml-
mated he would bow to that decision, and con-
clndcd by submitting to the Committee the fol-
lowing:
ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 2lst, 1873,
John B. SIN ,ot esq, Chairman Co"Ser0e t'0e
Executive Committee:
Dear Sir: In view of the complications arts
ing out of the ntany Irregularities OF the late
Urinary election for City Sergeant, propose,
ss solution of the difficulty, that your honor
able committee order pew el" ;tion; or ii it be
deemed too late to do this, or not agreeable. That
the contestants be authorized by your committee
to present their claims to the voters Of Aexan-
dria city at the general election on the 9th.
will abide by either of these propositions, and If
aether is accepted by the committee, that the
contestants be left TO net ut their pleasure.
Very respectfully, SC, yours truly,
JAMES G. HILL.
Mr.. Campbell then stated that he had no
knowledge of any irregularities or fraud IN
the returns, and was willing that the Commit
tee should decide as to the validity Of The re-
turns.
The chairman then proceeded to examine
the several Commissioners as to the mauner IN
which the election was conducted by them, and
it was elected from MesSrs. Marriott and Lam
bert, of the lst Ward, that they had received
the vote of Que person whose name was DOT on
the registration books.
Messrs. Simpson, Kell and Nicklln, Of tho
End Ward, stated that they had Inadvertently
received the vote of one person who was not
registered, and the vote Of Que person who was
Radical.
Mcssrs. Brawner add Brockett, of the 3rd
Ward stated that they had refused to receive
the votes Of any who were not registered and
of Radicals who offered to vote, and that no
legal vote had been refused.
Messrs Nails, Price aud Milburn, of the 4th
Ward, stated that they had received the votes
of two Radicals uudcr DEMONSTRATION OF the
rules laid down by the Committee.
Dr. Hill then stated that he rested his case
ou the testimony given by the Commissioners,
and complained oil the returns having Deeu
published before the ballot had been purged.
l.
stated 10 reply that be had simply carried out
the Instructions of the Committee 10 giving the
returus to the press, aud that this action could
in no wise prejudice tho claims of Dr. HILL as
the paper which published the returns also
published the fact that DIR. Hill would contest
the validity of the returns.
DR.. Hill then stated he would leave the mat
ter in the hands of the Committee-he had
confidence 10 them and believed they would do
all psrti, justice they decided for or against
him he would submit
Mr. Campbell also stated that he would
cheerfulIy abide by the decision OF the Com
mitee as he was sat fed they would deal fairy.
The gentlemen who were present by invita-
ton to give testimony, &C., were then request
ed to retire 10 order that the Committee might
consider the evidence which had been laid be-
fore them.
Inc Committee then took up the testimony
by wards and each having been carefully can
yassed arrived at the CONCLUSION that the un
registered vote 10 the lst Ward should not
have been received; that the vote OF the unreg
istered party and the Radical 10 the 2nd Ward
should not have been received; and that the
vote of the two Radicals 10 the 4lh Ward
should not have been received.
The majority for Mr.. Campbell being only
oae vote, aod the Committee not being able 70
ascertain for whom the illegal votes were cast,
were unable to decide which OF the contestants
had been legally nominated, and after long
conversational debate they unanimously ADOPT
I'd the following resolution, offered by Capt +
B. Hooe, viz:
Resolved, T hat by reason of irregularities in
the primary election held on Monday, May
18th, the committee are unable to decide which
of the contestants for the Office of City Sergeant
was nominated and therefore recommend 10
tho Conservative voters to hold primary elee-
ton on Tuesday, May 18th, to nominate can
ddste for City Sergeant.
After the adoption Of this resolution, DR.. Hill
and Mr.. Campbell were invited into the room
and the action OF the Committee made known to
them Both expressed themselves perfectly sat;