The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-18
LOCAL MATTERS.
RICHMOND ELECTION CASES.
Iho Iriai or Commissioner Munford
ana His Deputies Postponed
TIL November.

Yesterday was the day fixed for the trial
OF X. b. Munford, Commissioner OF the
Revenue, and his deputies, John W.
Wilkes, II. II. wilkins, Edward Gray, and
Charles w. Goddin, charged with conspi-
racy in preventing negroes from being as
sessed for the payment OF the poll-taX, .sand
with granting undue facilities to whites.
These offences were alleged to have been
committed last November. The case was
up at the spring term and jury sworn,
but on account OF the sickness OF one OF
them they were discharged and new jury
ordered for July 18th.
The jury drawn for yesterday consisted
OF about one half Democrats. and one half
Republicans or Coaltionists. and was quite
satisfactory to the accused gentlemen.
Judge Hughes was present at II O'Clock,
the hour fixed for the opening of the court,
but did not go upon the bench promptly,
having some hope, possibly, that Judge
Bond would arrive. About II. Judge
Bond not having arrived, Judge Hughes
opened court. The names OF the jurors
were called, and most OF them answered.
Judge Hughes Do they all answer?
Marshal: All except three.
Judge: Have any been excused?
Marshal: None except on doctors GER
tificate.
Judge lIughes then asked counsel il they
were ready.
Captain John s. Wise. who Is the special
counsel employed by the Government to
prosecute these cases, said nothing; but
District-Attorney Waddill responded that
he believed that they were. He did not,
however, exhibit in his face any deep anX-
iety TO plunge into the depths OF the case
with the Thermometer in the courtroom at
about 95.
In answer TO like question addressed to
defence Judge Crump said that he thought
they were ready TO proceed, but he did not
know until he ascertained whether their
witnesses were present.
Judge Hughes said that ut the last term
defence had requested that the case be tried
by full court. While he did not recog-
nize any right Of theirs to make demand
OF that character, in view OF the fact that
there WAS no appeal except in case OF Il
divided court he had concurred in their
desire to have Judge Bond sit with him.
He had last week written to Judge Bond
on this subject, and stated that lie did not
care to try the case without his presence.
but got no reply. Accordingly, he thought
that the case should 20 over till November.
The regular term is in October, and the
canvass will be going on then, and it will
hardly be desirable to try the case until
after The election.
This disposition OF the case was evil
IDENTIFY agreeable to both sides. At any
rate neither made any objection. The case
vas accordingly continued. Accused were
allowed by the Judge to 20 forth on the
same bond-tbough the District Attorney
rather demurred to this, seeming to think
that a new bond ought to be required. As
for the accused, they cared nothing about
it. IT would have been very easy for them
TO give a new bond had it been de-
manded.
The jury were discharged.
IT was agreed that at the regular term in
October the dav for trial in November
shall be set, and the witnesses notified ac-
cOrdingly.
The counsel present yesterday to repre-
sent defence were Messrs. w. w. Crump,
Hill Carter, w. w. Henry, and George ID.
Wise.