Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-09
DUNCAN'S DEMAND.
BE DRsrREs TO SUPERVISE THE CAN
vAss or THE RICHMOND VOTE.
The Board Consult Counsel and Refuse Bis
Rsqusst-Thsn He Has Them All Arrest
cd by tho United States officers

Yesterday as soon as the Commissioners OF
Election for the city Of Richmond assembled
IN the Clerks Office Of the Hastings Court
TO cspyass the returns OF Tuesdays election
GEORGE Dmcsn, a white Republican and
Federal supervisor, applied for admission TO
superintend the opening OF the returns.
The board called upon Nr. c. V. Mere
dith. who happened to be present, for an
opinion, ard he read the law In regard TO
Federal supervisors Of election. II was his
judgment that a Federal supervisor could
not demand 10 supervi.e the opening Of the
returns BY the city Board OF Commission
ers.
The commissioners thereuFon refused TO
allow Duncan 70 remain.
THE WARRANT.
Duncan then went before Mr. Edgar
Allan, a special United States commissioner,
and swore out lbe following warrant for the
arrest Of each member OF the board:
.eTo the Marshal of the UHiied States for
the Eastern District OF Virginia, or 10 His
Deputies. or Any of TheIn:
"Wherpas complaint has this day been
made by George Duncan on oath before me.
Edgar Allan, a Commissioners OF the United
States for the district Oi Virginia, charging
that ~. n. Williams did on or about the sth
dav Of November. 1888. unlswfuliy obstrlct,
binder. and prevent bin, the said George
Duncan, In The discharge OF his duties a.
Federal supervisor OF election, in that
be did refuse TO permit the said George Dun
cqn 70 be present at the cauYsssing OF the
election returns OF the several precincts OF
the city OF Richmond Of the vote cast for
presidential electors, IN violation OF section
1892, Revived statutes Oi the United states
of America, be the said w. II. Williams be-
ing then and there a csnv3sser OF elections
under the State laws OF Virginia: now,
therefore. yOu arc hereby commanded
IN the name Of the President OF the
United states to spprehend the said W..
II. Williams aud bring bis body before
me, one Of the commissioners appointed by
the Circuit Court OF the United states Tor
the district OF Virginia, at my Office IN The
United states Circuit-COUrt room, that he
NAV then and there be dealt with according
to law for the said offence.
"GYcn under my hand end seal this Sth
day OF November, in the year OF our I0rd
1855, and Of our independence one hundred
and thirteen. EDGAR ALLAN r.. 81,
"Unitod states Commissioner OF Circuit
Court Of the United States for the District
OF Virginia"
A similar warrant was issued for Mcssrs.
UoopCr Rankin, Krause, and Hotties and
ulaccd in the hands Of Deputy. United States
Marshal overly, who served it on the CONF
mi.sioners and notified them to appear be-
fore Uuned-Slaies-COmmissOner Wall at 4
O'Clock yesterday evening.
At tbIt hour the board had not completed
the canvass oi the returns, and Mr.. Allan
came INTO the Clerks office and continued the
case until the oath Instant and took the
rccogniZlnce OF each individual to appear
before United States Commissioner Pleasanls
on that date.
Mcssrs c. V. Meredith, W. c. Preston.
and Colonel Tazewell Elicit are the counsel
for the Democrats.
THE CONTENTION.
Mr.. Duncan bases his right as supervisor
Of election 10 be present and witness the
canvass OF the returns by the commissioners
upon two sections OF the Revised United
Stltes Statutes. which, in defining the duties
OF supervisors, provide TIN they shall wit
ness cauvs.s, and scrutinile The ballots as
they are counted iOf any election district or
county.
Mr.. Meredith, in advising the cOmmis-
sloners not TO admit the supervisor to their
sitting, claimed that the statute referred to
above is intended TO apply only 10 ihe count
on the day Of election, and not TO the can
vass two days later; that this is matter
with which the supervisors have not the
slightest business.
This proceeding Is quite novel; 1t is said
10 be without precedent in this or perhaps
any other state aud is regarded rs only a
spurt on the part Of the Republican leaders
and COunscilors.
An interesting question that arises in this
connection is whether the supervisors, each
Of whom is appointed for particular pre-
cinct has anything more TO do with the re-
turns from any other precinct than any pfl'
Nate clilZrn.