Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-17
A HITCH wYrHEvILLE.
The FtEhf Over .License" Tbrown
into the Courts.

The Fsxhf Over License" Thrown
into the Courts.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch
WYTHEvILLE, VA, April 10
The local-option question has taken a
new turn and found its way into the
courts to-day. On last Saturday both
sides worked manfully, and: when the
polls closed it was impossible to de-
eide which side was ahead without an
official count. The organization Of the
optioDist was met by the energy Of the
anti-optionists.
When the polls closed at shutdown,
whilst there had been no street disturb
aDce to mar the quiet Of the day, ex-
element was at fever-heat and much
bitterness was eDgendered. The an
nouncement that the district had de-
cided against license by sc majority
was greeted by the optionists with
loud applause. BY preconcerted ar
rangement the whistles TO several steam
engines were blown loud and long to
bear the tidings to anxious listeners
several miles from town.
Such was the state of feeling Satur-
day night; but after Sunday had inter
vened and the country people had been
informed of the result, the question
seemed to be given up and all settled
back into its proper channel nor did
snythipg arise to change the situation
until Wednesday, some Of the bar
keepers having already made arrange
ments to sell off their stock. About
IL O'Clock Wednesday a futter was
noticed among the "drys," accompa-
MED with frequent visits to the clerks
Office and general inquiries for the
local-option law. 1t soon became
known that the commissioners Of cleo
ton had failed to meet on the day ap-
pointed and make a return, and were
preparing at that late day to do so.
An examination of the special law
shows that the election is to be held
and returns made in a similar manner
and through the same channel as are
general elections, except that it pro-
vides the form Of certificate. The
general law provides that commission
ers Of elections appointed by the provi-
sions of the electoral law shall meet at
the clerks Office on the second day
after the election, Sunday excepted
examine the books and ballots, and
make their certificates accordingly.
The law provides further that if the
requisite number Of commissioners are
not present at the time and place speci-
fled those who are present, or the
one who is present, shall appoint asso-
ciates, who shall be sworn and act as
commissioners, and that, il none OF the
commissioners be present, then JUS
tice Of the peace shall appoint commits
sioners, who shall have the same power,
&c. But one commissioner was pre-
sent on Wednesday, two days after the
designated time, the Board by rea-
son Of some inadyertance having failed
to meet on Monday, aud he appointed
associates, made his report, which was
certified to by the clerk OF the county
and entered on record.
To-day the liquor-men by their at
torney made application for licenses,
holding that the law had not been COM
piled with. The Good Templars were
also on the ground with formidable
array of legal counsel to contest the
granting Of licenses, holding that the
election of the people precludes the
Judge from hearing the - wet " men at
all. The matter was partially argued
this afternoon.
The courtroom was crowded with
eager listeners, but the matter is con-
tinued until tomorrow, when it will
probably be decided.