The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-09-17

a Registration Scene.


A large crowd assembled in the registration
office of Mr.. Henry G. Seebo, register of the
Eighteenth ward. at o'clock last night, to
hear what account Major Edward Il. Pether-
bridge, republican, and Mr. James Broumel,
o. L. D., who with others prepared the list
of 960 voters of the ward and alleged they
were dead or removed, would give of them
selves and their reasons for requesting that
the names should be stricken off. The hour OF
I o'clock was arranged upon by Mr. Seebo to
hear the allegations, and at the time appoint
ed Major Petherbridge appeared with the City
Directory and other documentary evidence,
and took a position at the registers table.
The list was presented by Messrs. Pether-
bridge, Broumel and B. B. Knell on Tuesday,
and yesterday Major Petherbridge appeared
and withdrew the names on the list IN the hrst
four precincts of the ward, saying that he had
made mistake, and substituting another list.
Many of the names on the substituted list were
the same as those upon the original one pre-
scented Tuesday, and Mr.. SeebO put them to-
gether and issued summonses for as many OF
the persons named on the list as he could find
by outside inquiry and reference to the police
census. There were 2l0 summouses issued
yesterday, and of these POI were served on
the voters to whom directed, and Only nine
were returned non est. These persons all ap-
peared last night 10 retute the allegation by
Major Petherbridge that they were dead. Ma
jor Petherbrldge, in presenting the list, pre-
fixed the following letter to Mr.. Seebo:
Having certified copy of the voters Of The Eigh-
tenth ward in my possession hereby offer 70 make
affidavit 10 the best Of my knowledge and belief that
the following names now on said list OF voters are
furthermore that the names are not 70 be found IN
the City Directory for the years ISIS 1879 and ls as
residents of this ward. II summonses are issued 20
ascertain the facts Of the above allegation you will
please advise Of the return OF sumlao Iises ana
0''s'' ->9'' 49, EDWARD r. PETHEnBRrD0E,'
In this letter the major courageously aud
valiantly offers TO swear that the persons on
the list are disqualified; but when he was
asked last night by Mr.. Seebo to make this
affidavit he emphatically refused to do so and
demanded of Mr. Seebo to strike oiftbe names
of all those whom be Mr.. Seebo) could not
ascertain to be living in the ward and publish
them, and then If there were any living they
could be reiustated. Mr.. Seebo naturally aud
very properly replied that the law explicitly
laid down that no names Of voters should be
striken of unless they could be shown to be
dead or removed. His books did not give the
residence Of voters, and II would be next to
impossible for him to summon All those who
we're suspected Of being dead and have them
demonstrate that they were alive.
Major Petherbridge stated that the list had
been made up By prominent democrats, whose
handwriting he had in his poke; Tor bjs own
benefit but when Mr.. Seebo demanded that
he produce it he emphatically refused, Mr..
Sc ebo then rendered his deei ion, which was
not to strike of any name which vas pre-
seuted 10 him as that Of 4 disqualified voter
until the persons presenting i either made at
fidavit that he was dead or removed, or intro
dnced indisputahle proof to suhsianiatc 70,
Major Petherbrtdge vas asked whether be
would make such an affidavit that any Of the
names presented in the list were those Of per
sons disqualified, but the gallant MAJOR bra 'ciy
gathered together his formidable documenis
and affirmed that be would DO aoJl;ug Of the
kind. and had douued bis bat and was on ihe
point Of leaving when he was reinforced By
Mr. James Broam-i. The latter. who IS the
o. /. d. candidate for the Csty Council. SAID
that all he or any other citizen reqHired was
that the register would issue sammonses Tor
the persons named on the list and II they werc
found II was proof posii.e tncy were atre.
but ii the Summonscs were returned A1H csf
and the persons 10 whom directed cogll not
be foand after the mos, diiiEcut search. thg'r
names should be stricken OF Mr.. Broamcl
Acknowledged that Il vas very elthcu.t Thing
{ 70 do. Mr.. Sscbo asssated 20 Ar. brosmei 8
proposition as a prnelpie ne 1a4 AtteAut
adopted, and after soase further talk ihe con-
( ference ended.
TO show how inacearaie ;he list furnished
Mr. Seebo ~as nau5cF Of the persgas on
I Il appeared and sW0re that ihsy we're nos dead.
Several amusing incidents occurred daring The
making lthe aihdayits. Many a tie persons
summoned we're guoranl Of shat they weTe
required for. and when Mr.. Scebo informed
them they bad beca reported dead ihey loes Of
fense. To shoE hos Inaccurate. Illegal sua
fraudulent the hsss weFr, the Ga-cfiE gives
number Of names Of persoas. on shem, sho.
We Suppose. were well knoWu IN their rcsptc
tive localities. % ADvocsrE
The Mild Aad reckless demands made apoH
the registers By the rcpuhiiCans and o. l. ID. $
will. however, have me good effect of sho~.
ing the public The wildacEs and absufJiiy Of
the ACCUSATIONS made BY those parties aaflag
the present campaign