The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-26

"essrs. Wilkins and GOddin, Deputies
OIL commissioner JunfOri, Arrested
About an Election Matter.

Hessrs. Wilkins and Goddin, Deputfes
OF Commissioner JunfOrti, Arrested
About an Election Matter.
Yesterday Harry II. wilkins and Charles
w. Goddln, deputies OF Robert Il. Mum
ford, Commissioner OF the Revenue for
thI> city, were arrested on warrant issued
by Commissioner Plcasants upon complaint
made by John 8. Wise, district attorney.
The warrants charge that IN violation Of
the United States Statutes (55lD Mr.. Will
klns forged the name Of George 4. Yager
70 n supplemental assessment-list, and that
3lr. Goddin certified to Yager's alleged ac-
knowledgement OF same.
The two accused were taken before Mr..
Pleasants, accompanied by ;. B. Witt, ESQ,
as counsel, and at their request the exami-
nation was adjourned till Wednesday.
Messr7. wilkins and GoddIn were admitted
10 bail In $1,000 each with Mr.. Munford rs
surety.
Mr.. Yager Il n miller at the Galego
Mills, and in the City Directory il il stated
that he resides at 1901 west Clay street.
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
The supplemental assessment list is the
means 10y which parties whose names are
omitted from or incorrectly placed on the
regular list secure the night to pay the
poll-taX and to get q receipt upon which to
vote.
1t appears that Mr.. Yager was assessed
in Clay Ward as Yeager. He was so re-
turned tas Yeager) on the delinquent list
forwarded to the clerk OF the Hastings
Court lH s. {. Tinsley, Assistant Trea-
surcr.
Nevertheless, some one appeared at Mr.
Munford'S Office and had Mr.. Yager assess-
ed in correct form; signed his name,
acknowledged same before Deputy God
din, and took the supplemental list to Mr.
Tinsley, paid to him the pol-taX Of 81, and
forwarded the receipt TO Mr.. wager through
the mail.
Mr. Wager, who had received a receipt
from the clerk Of the lluStings Court. thus
had two receipts, and informed Mr.. Wise
or some one OF the circumstance.
So the proceedings began.
TIE BLANK FORM.
Mr. Wager says that he neither signed nor
authorized any one TO sign for him the sup
Elemental list.
1t Is very clear that the signature was
never made by Mr.. wilkins. 1t il in no
respect like any writing Of his. say gentle
men who are well acquainted with his
writing. The blank form irdS filed up
by Mr.. wilkins except a. to insertion OF
names.
For u week or two prior to tie election
there was always crowd n Mr.. Munford'~
office waiting 10 lie assessed, and Mr..
wilkins and the other deputies, whenever
they could get leisure moments, filed up
the blank forms, only Omitting the names.
The names were inserted as parties came
in and showed that they were entitled to
he assessed. They had to be assessed be-
fore they could pay the pOll-taX. II they
were not on the paid or the delinquent list,
they had to apply 10 Mr.. MunfOrd's Office.
There they were required to sign blank
form showing what personal property they
were possessed Of rs Of the date OF the rs
scssment for 1881. That was taken 10 Mr
Tinslcy, who upon payment of the tax
issued his receipt.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. wilkins and Mr. Goddin are gentle
men well known, hOnOrcd, and loved in
this community. Their friends have per-
feet confidence that they will come out Of
the trouble with untarnished records.
They have no recollection whatever con-
corning the issue Of this particular supple
mental list nor is il reasonable that they
should, considering what crowds they
waited upon and how rapidly they had 10
work.
THE EXACT CHARGE.
The exact charge against Mr.. wilkins /,
that he "did on or about the ith day OF
November, 1882, an unlawful act to secure
an opportunity to vote for one George A.
Yager-viz., did falsely and iraudulently
forge the name Of George \. Wager to a
paper known as Supplemental Assessment
for 1881. in violation OF section 55ll, Re-
yiscd Statutes Of the United States"
The charge against Mr.. Goddin is that
he did on or about the 4th day OF NoNcm-
bcr, 1892, an unlawful act to secure an or-
portunity TO vote for one George A.
Yagcr-viz.. that said Goddin did falsely
and fraduenty certify that one George A.
Yager had sworn to = certificate appended
to a paper called Supplemental Assessment
for 1891, knowing that said Wager had not
sworn to the same, contrary to section
55I1. Revised Statutes Of the United States"
The penalty in any case OF conviction
under this statute is fine not exceeding
$500, and imprisonment not exceeding
three years.