Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-01-22


The taking Of testimony on The part ofGraves
in the contested election case Of Ign. E. Mating
" vs.. John n. Graves was continued on We'd
nesday and concluded on Saturday last. On
Wednesday the following witnesses were exam
ined Nicholas Bsscoe, colOred, who testified
that he was present at the polls 10 the LIST dis
trct at the late election and thought the election
a fir one, and that the coIored voters voted as
they wished. Denied that he had ever promised
to vote AtsAsasF any demOehafie candidate.
Denied that he had told the Messrs Richardson's
that he was going up to the polls with Is or 20
colOred voters, when they were met and their
votes taken away. Colored voters intended to
support J. T. N. Raley for Register Of Wills,
but changed their minds on the night before the
election, ON account Of q difficulty between a
white man and a colored man, in which the col
ored man was beaten for saying that he would
not vote for any one who was not on bis (the
republican, ticket. Thomas Reed. eolored, who
testified, in effect as testified 10 by Biscoe. De-
MED having told party that be would not vote
for John N. Graves under any circumstances.
Did say that he would not vote for him unless
he explained 10 him The reason Of his district
(Oskyillel going for democratic candidate at
the elertion OF 1877. He did see Graves and
they were reconciIed, and he supported him
xealousy. Once resided in 0aksile district,
aud while living there had some difficulty with
Graves about renting land.
On Thursday, J. Forrest Freeman was sworn,
who tesflsied that he was present at the polls in
the Ist district and saw John Hilton attempt TO
deceive = colored voter BY giving him ticket
printed IKE the republican ticket, with the place
forstates Attorney legl in blank, and the name Of
the democratic candidate for that Office written
with pencil to initiate printing. John L. Mil
burn was sworn, who testified that be was pre-
sent ct the polls in the Ist district, ard thought
the election Gair. Did not take any tickets away
from cOloeed voters, except BY their wishes when
they were deceived. Would write the name Of
any democratic candidate upon their ticket when
they 50 requested IL. The colored voters Of the
lst district, with few exceptions, could neither
read nor write, and trustei to their leaders, who
could do 50, to read their tickets for them and
see that they had not been deceived.
On Friday, Edward s. FOsey was sworn, who
testified that he was present at The polls in The
9Th district, and saw Bob Riggs democrat,
with q pair Of scissors ia his hands George
Adams, .toIOfed, who being sworn, testified
that he, mas present at the polls in the 4th dis
srict and voted The republican ticket for which
Clement Cawood, . democrat, assaulted him
and struck him with beard. Applied AFTER
wards 10 Justice Of the Peace, who, after hear
ing his statement, refused 10 Issue q warrant.
Geo. W. Smoot, who testified that he was pre-
sent al tie polls in the 4sh district, and thought
the election fair one Saw no violence on the
part Of democratic leaders. SAN Mr. COrcoFan
standing Al the window, but be acted AZ gem
tIeman. Heard him say that every one ought 70
liz allowed 20 vote his sentiments Quade, the
Young man heretofore spoken Of 10 the testiEno-
nv, voted the republican ticket. Saw him vote,
after which Quade told him be had voted there
publican ticket. John r. Ching, who testified,
that it was Whispered 70 him dnring lhe election
siay that democrat was standing At the sim
dow IL the polls, saying that the democratic
ticket was the whiie mans ticket. This man
was said to be kr. Corcoran- Heard another
say 10 another that If be did not vote the dono-
cratic ticket he wouid lose his position
o. Saturday the counsel for Graves closed the
case On his part Counsel sor MastinsIy made
m0ti0n thar Jcs i. Kcai. deputy clerk ofshe Cir
cuia Courss H. called, On the ground that be bad
hesn snee prodaesd Oh the part fGraveas with The
ballos of the esh district, 70 b uasd = sessio-
~. 80 the time. the counsel GoF MatiiRgiy
claimed he right to ask Mr. Neal some qnes-
tsons Nheu the enunseI for Graves said be would
u called The mosion was granted. Mr. Neil
was sworn and testified. thai the poll books
from tie Isl district wers not certified u ~ Re-
nnirea w law, there being certificate apon but
one or safE bcoks.