Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-02
PETERSBURG.
Rreessdings Ia the Matter Of Petition
Tor xandamus- What the Judges
Say Masonic Jewel.

sCo,r>Spoodence ofthe Richmond Dsspatch.l
JUNE 1. 1886.
In the Circuit Court the cases OF the
election Judges 81 the Sixth Ward 10 this
city. who had been summoned 10 show
cause Why maudamus should not he u.
sued compelling them 10 canvass the vote
al said ward, was called. The court room
was Flied with people Interested In the
proceedings. Mr.. John $. Wise, OF coun-
sci for the Republican contestants, asked
the court 10 grant aperemptory mandainus,
returnsble at once. He made statement
Of facts In connection with the recent
election, showing that while returns had
been msde from six Of the seven precincts
in the city, none had been made from Skin
Ward, and the reason why thai had mol
been counted, he said, was because tue
judges, because OF some disturbances about
the polls, had decided 10 bring the
ballot.box sealed TO the jail. This
they did. bet subsequently returned IL
70 The precinct. When two OF the
iudcrs. Saugh and Akers, reached
The precjnet--thc third one-scott was
found Ia be absent. subsequently Akers
went away. and since then the box had
he.n IN possession OF Baugh, the c0lored
iudre. Mr.. Wise said that his clients be-
feyed that the proceedings In the sixth
n ard were part Of plot 10 avoid counting
the vote cast there. lie then recited the
facts OF The issuance Of the Injunction ana
tine meeting Of the commissioners on SAT
ur,.sy. He referred also to the notice
given 10 the commissioners by counsel Tor
the Citjzeus' ticket Of protest against toe
returns from the first precinct IN the flrsI
Ward. aud said II was the beliei OF the
Republicans that II was The intent'oh OF
the commissioners 10 throw out TINS pre-.
cinet, 70 usurp power when doc nor
beionp 20 them, and 10 grant certificates
~ election 10 the persons voted
Tor on the Citizens ticket. IL was the
intention OF counsel 10 ask the court TO issue
an order requiring the commissioners 70
count the vote in the First precinct and re-
polt The count to the court. Mr.. wise
Commended the colored judge Baugb Tor
bisfsithfulness In guarding the sixth-Ward
halloi.box. and pleasantly spoke OF one OF
the three Judges who rode out into the
country 10 see the flowers thai bloom 10 the
soringfime. ard had been absent ever since.
lie claimed that two Of the Judges had
neglected their duty, and he asked the
eo,irt 10 order these two mcn To unite win
Baugh IN counting the vote.
Mr.. X. u. Davis, OF counsel ior the
Citizens, ticket, denied IN behili OF tne
Judges every allegation OF TACT when Is
material 10 the issue, as stated IN the
papers drawn by the counsel for The Re-
ptbicans. They were confronted by
demand for a harsh and speedy actlon'
Counsel for the Judges expected 10 snow
that The Judges In the Sixth ward IN
stead OF neglecilng their duty ana perpe-
traiing fraud, had conducted the e'ec,ioi
satisfactorily. until violent assault nau
been made upon them. rms wouid DC
supported by the oaths OF the Judges ana
f...s afiidayiis Of witnesses. rue iauit M
great degree laws OF ine door ~ "a" ns ,or
tioner AIR. W. D. Nineiree) VINO VINO ask ;nsa ,Or
a peremptory mandamus. IL g., ooS,,t
expected TO come fuli-hande. ,so,ar
with proof TO show shat they had
contemplated fraud, and that they had pee,'
deferred from their duty by an armed mon
and threatened by officers OF tue law WIN
their balons. Mr.. Davis alleged that every
one Of the Judges followed the box to the |
iniI and renained there until one OF them, |
be,ng overcome by the heat, had 10 leave |
fhe room. and when the other two judges |
returned to the ward so great was the fear |
OF assault thai they had to go under the |
protection OF an armed escort. So FAR as
the Judges were concerned, the idlit, II
there were any, lay at the door OF Mr.. |
Minefree. Mr. Davis then argued against |
the issuance Of pefemptory nlan1athts'
He thought next Tuesday would De tue |
earliest day bis clients would be ready 10
Answer. .,l ,or
Mr., Alexander Hamilton. Of counsel LOT
,,e ts,lzens. said 1 had been nposslole -
n,s,ore an answer to the cts.arge' prousaV
against tine judges-charges whici WIZ
Overwhelming IN their nature. There |
we're exceedingly important points OF law
Ia be met. The bin and petition had not
been given 10 counsel until Saturday even
inc. The Allegations made IN the bill were
not only suppressions Of truth, but grossly
exaggerated falseh0Ods. He asked Tor an
enlargement OF the rule and continuance
until Wednesday week.
Witnesses were then sworn ana eA'
amin,d; among them the three JUICES
Baush said he had not seen the other two
iudees- Scott and Akers-since toe rule
was served on hiw. Messrs. AkoTs ana
Scott both stated that they left the city on
n fishing excursion 10 the vicinity OF Nor
folk: from thence they went to weldon,
where they first heard OF the proceedings
in court, when they Immediately returned
10 the city.
Raugb, in his answer to the rule. which
was prepared hy Mr.. John :. Wise, alleges
that In his opinion tue disturbances at tue
polls on election night were not oil sur
ficicnt gravity 10 justify The judges in de-
eiining TO count The vote. He recltes Inc
fact Of carrying the ballot-box TO the jan,
Of having been deserted by tue other
Judges. OF having kept the box inyiolate
ever since, and OF still boving 1t in charge.
lie rrays The Court % relieve him Of It's
further custody; or, II he had TO continue
i'm charge Of il, 10 grant him police protee-
ton.
The Couit enlarged the rule ia reference
10 the other two judges, requiring them 10
make answer at IL O'Clock on Thursday.
The proceedings to-day were OF decided
interest, but will hardly compare with
those OF Thursday, when the Judges make
their answers.
The work OF changing the gauge OF the
Norfolk and Western railroad, which was
commenced this morning at 4 O'Clock, was
prosecuted rapidly and without Interrupt
ton on the eastern division, and, In accoru'
auce with the programme, which had been
so thoroughly and Systematically arranged,
was competed this AFTERNOON. The changes
among the numerous tiacks IN the depot
yard here were made by : O'Clock. lheie
were no cars In motion about the oepot to-
day, and the quiet was unusual. inspec-
tlon trains LEFT for the East and west tnis
afternoon. As also pay-ira'n To pay oil the
hands engaged IN changing the gauge. =,
A beautiful Masonic jewel was presented
this evening 10 Mir. John i. farham Dy
petersburg Union Royal-Arch Chapter, No.
7. OF This city. Mr.. Parham Is an active
ana jealous Mason. and has done much TO
frrtber the interest of capituar Masonry in
Petersburg. For many years he was the
- - A L.. l,l.r.