Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-30
PETERSBURG.
ANOTHER DAYoF ExCITEMEHT-MEEr-
ING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Enioined by Judge Hancock From Deter
mining Who Received the
Greatest Number Of Votes.
Jurisprudence of the Richmond Dispatchl

CORRESPONDENCE or the hlcnmonu DhpatcuI
PETERSBURG, VA, May 80. 1856.
The excitement incident to Tbursday's
election and the turbulent proceedings
about the Sixth Ward polls, which forced
the Judges OF election in that precinct 10 re
fose 10 count the ballots, was greatly
heightened by the events OF to-day. This
h The day, under the provisions OF the law,
when the Board OF Commissioners OF Flee
lion were 10 meet in the clerks Office 10
canvass the vote Of the city aud certify the
names OF the persons elected to oil the varl-
Gus offices voted for on Thursday. This
,oee,ipg OF the commissioners was looked
forward TO with great interest by the public
At large, as it was believed that the votes OF
sixth and First Wards would come under
special consideration by reason OF the ir-
regularites occurring there.
This morning as the commissioners wore
on their way up Sycamore street To the
clerks Office they were met by the City
sergeant. who served upon each O: them
an order OF Injunction issued by Judge
Hancock, Of our Circuit Court. The order
was issued IN Manchester, and was re-
eeiyed by the Sergeant about III O'Clock.
In substance il restraints and enlOins the
commissioners from determining the per-
sons who received the greatest number Of
votes in the city for the various Offices
voted for nj the election on Thursday; from
doing any other act except ~ meet, or
ganiZe, and open such II turns Is have been
received at the clerks office, and requires
them to adjourn from time to time until the
further order OF the Court. An injunction
IL also granted restraining and enioinlng
William II. Baugb, one OF The judges IN the
sixth Ward. who, with two policemen. has
had charge Of the bailot-bON OF that ward
at The city Jail. from parting vita, opening,
orpnmitting any other person than himself
TO handle the said balIot-boN until the fur
Their order OF the Court.
Know ledge Of the service Of these papers
soon spread through the city, and large
crowd gathered upon the Courthouse
SQUARE. where the natter was eXcitcdly
discussed.
The commissioners met, accompanied by
Messrs. Alexander liamil on and X. IL. Dl-
Wis a. counsel for the Citizens party. John
:. WISE. OF Richmond, and Judge X. II.
Jones and Mr.. William II. Jones appeared
as attorneys for the Republican party. The
commissioners organized, with Thomas Il.
Watkins aS chairman. Mr.. Watkins stated
that the commissioners found Themselves
In dilemma. The Law required them TO
meet at noon and canvass the vote OF the
city, and they were met by IN injunction
restraining them from discharging that
duty. They were ut loss to know whether
they should follow the plain provisions Of
the law or obey the Injunction. The Board
desired 10 be instructed by counsel rs ID
their duty and the consequences resulting
from failure 10 obey the one or the other.
Counsel on both sides declared that the
Board would be IN contempt and render
themselves liable 10 imprisonment II they
failed tO obey the injunction, which was in
the nature ola continuing act, and afforded
protection from any apparent failure to FOL-
low the provisions OF the law. Mr.. Rane,
one OF the commissioners, submitted mo.
ton that Judge Hancock be summoned be-
fore the commissioners and expressed blS
willingness, il necessary, 10 suffer imprlSOn-
ment. The motion was not voted upon.
The Board caDya>Scd the vote OF the Sc
cond, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Wards,
about which there Is no contention; but
under the restraining order Of Judge Han
cock, made no announcement OF tho vote.
They then, protesting against the iniunc.
lion. adiourncd over until next Thursday
NJ 10 O'Clock. Il was also certified by the
attorneys for the parties interested in the
election, bad given notice that they would
object TO the consideration OF tae returns
from one OF the precincts in the First
Ward on the ground that 1t Is not return.
MANDAMUs PROCEEDINGS.
Judge Hancock also issued to-day the
following order for the appearance OF the
Judges OF election in court
In the Crcliit Court 81 tho Ciiv ~ pators
Durg-In vacation: IN the Matter of Pc
ution of W. u. Minetree for M1Ddamu':
On motion OF W. ID. Minetrec by coun-
sci. supported by his petition duly sworn
to, this day presented to the Judge Of tins
court, in vacation, a ruleis issued against
b. ID. Akers, W. II. Scott, and William II.
Baugb, the Judges OF election at the voting
place in the Sixth Ward OF the city Of Pc
tersburg, at an election held there on May
q, 1856, and Lewis Lunsiord and j. +.
stultz, clerks OF election ut said count, re-
curing them 10 appear before the Circuit
Court OF the city 81 Petersburg, at the
courthouse OF SAID city, at IL \. NJ, June
lst. TO show cause. II any they have or can
show, why writ OF manfamuS should
not be issued by said court directing and
requiring them TO proceed 10 count, IN
yasy. and certify, and make return OF, ac-
cording 10 law, the vote cast at Said voting
place OF the Sixth Ward Of the city Of Pc
tersburg at the election held May -, 1886.
And a rule is also issued against Charles
A. Slaughter, Thomas G.. Watkins. G. Il.
Raine. William Ellis, and II. T. FalsOn,
commissioners OF election OF the city OF
Petersburg for the election aforesaid, cOm-
handing them 10 be ana appear at the same
time and place and show cause, IL any they
have or can show, why the Common
Wealth's writ Of mandamus s9Ould not bs
issued by said Court commanding them to
adjourn their meetings from time 10 time
without final action upon the returns Of
said election until they shall have received
= proper return Of the vote east at said
Voting-place in The Sixth Ward OF Peters
burg. or until the Court shall direct other
wise. BEVERLY y. HANCOCK.
May %, 1886.
Thus has begun what promises 10 be m
excited contest IN The courts over our mu-
nicipal election, and probably repetition
Of the famous litigation OF 1882. The
Judges OF the Sixth Ward claim that they
were intimidated by the Republicans, who
broke open the doors and windows OF their
demanding that representa-
tiycs OF their party should witness the
count. and refused to leave when so Or
dered; that weapons were drawn and evil
dences OF a riot were apparent, and that
under these circumstances they could not
make the count OF votes. They VIII refuse
to sign the returns, since the ballot-boX
has been out Of their possession ever since
The night OF election, though it has been
in possession Of one OF the judges and I'M
der guard OF police. ROBIN ADAlR.