Wilmington journal., 1876-02-11
RObeSon Election case

One Stephen A. Edmuuds was
charged with destroying the poll
books of Britts' Township for the pur-
pose of defeating DR.. Norment and
Nell McNiell. who were candidates
for seat in the Constitutional Con
vention. The case was heard before
Commissioner Cassidey in the United
States Court room this morning. judge
Russell appearing for the government
and Capt W. S.. No1mept for the de-
fendant After q lengthy discussion
upon the question of jurisdiction the
Commissioner decided that he as a
United States Commissioner had juris-
diction of the case, and would proceed
to hear the testim ony.
One Stephen Powell was then sworn
on the part of the United States and
tion last August, in Robson, he heard
the defendant say in a conversation
with J. T. Billiard that he had des-
troyed the poll books of Britts' Eown-
ship for the purpose of defeating DIR.
Norment and McNeill. John FL. Col
hn6 was then introduced on the part
of the United States, who stated that
he acted as Registrar OF the election
at Britts' Township, i'll Robeson
county, last August, and that he ad
vised Edmunds, together with other
pollholders, that it as.their duty tosend
up their scrolls with their certificate
but that Edmun1s failed to DO it, and
that he believed it was conspiracy
entered into on the part of the Com
missioners and Edmunds to defeat
Norment and McNiell.
Benjamin Stone was then introduced
on the part of the United States. He
stated that lie WAS poll holder at
Brltts township, that they were ali
green hands and did not know but lit
tie about making out returns; that
there was a great deal of TAX among
the poll holders as to the proper man
ntr III making out the returns, and
that the defendant, Edmunds, asked
DIR. NOrment, who was present, how
he should make them ont, and then
proceeded to make them out as he di-
rected.
>. I. Bullard was next introduced on
the part of the Unite States. He
stated that in a conversation with Ed
lnunds, the defendant, on Tue sday af-
ter the election, told him thaj he
had destroyed the books of Britt
township for the purpose of defeating
Dr. Norment; but i'll a moment after
Edmunds stated that lie was joking
and had returned tie books to the
hegister OF Deeds that morning, and
that he, Billiard, took it as a Joke, as
he and Edmunds were often Joking
one another.
Ihls was the substance of the testi-
mony on the part of the United States.
The defendant then introduced J.
y. Freeman, who stated that he was
present when the returns were made
out at Britt's township, IN Bladen
county, last summer; that the Judges
of election were all new hands and
Ane" put little about the matter. He
heard. the defendant, Eimunds, ask
o0illns, the Registrar, how he should
make out the returns: also asked DR.
Norment,. who was a candidate and
.A"' Ihey made out the returns accord
e 70 Instructions they received from
o0iiihs and Dr. korment. AfteEthe re-
'uths were signed and put in an ell
Veiope, the defendant. Edmu,ds hold
up the scroll kept at his box and asl,ea
nS' the Registrar, ii it was neces-
" send that up with the returns.
When he replied that it was not Ed.
-, 0s Then put the scroll in an old
book and carried the returns a. maaa