Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-08
BEFORE THE COURTS.
A NUMBgR OF ELECTION CASES BEING
PROsEcUTgD.
The Police Justice Has Docket Full and
Commissioner W. B. Wall Has
Several.

The docket in the Police Court yesterday
morning was Of unusual length, and nearly
all oil the cases on II were those OF colored
men charged with violating the election
laws either IN registering or voting when
they had no legal right to do so. The ac-
cused were all Republicans, aud Mr.. Edgar
Allan appeared as their counsel. When one
or two cases had been called and dismissed
because Of the absence OF some OF the most
important, witnesses who were detained at
the United States Court room, where they
were under arrest, Mr. Samuel NJ. Page
volunteered his services rs the representa-
tive OF the Commonwealth.
THE OFFENDERS.
The following is a full list OF the prisoners
and the charges against them: A. A. Harris,
Claiborne Lewis, Washington Williams,
Abner Brooks, William G. Harris, Henry
Moore, George Gray. Joseph Spencer, Lewis
johnson, Thomas Harris, William Henry
Hewlett Joseph II. Williams. Joseph Lester,
and Charles Harris (all colored). charged with
| illegal voting or attempting 10 vote; Henry
Hart (cOlored). illegally registering; Henry
| Harris (colored). committing perjury by re-
/ gistering at First precinct, Jefferson Ward,
| he having been convicted OF petit larceny
| Charles Norris (coored), feOniously attempt
iEg 10 vote illegally at Fourth Jackson, hC
not being a registered voter OF the precinct
| c. ID. Volmsn (white), charged with per
! juryng himself for the purpose OF voting a.
second Marshall.
REARREsTED.
After one OF the accused bad been dis
! charged a warrant was issued for bis re
arrest, it being proved by subsequent testi'
mony that the prisoner had admitted being
convicted Of petit larceny when only dtteer
years old. lie said be did not think tb
would debar him from voting, but whet
sworn at TIE polls ne denied ever having
been convicted. His case Will be heard mex
Saturday, 10 which time all OF the othel
cases were postponed by consent. IL wa
impossiblc for Justice Crutchtielj 10 beal
them Yesterday, as he was suffering from
severe headache and had 10 retire from th'
bench before the session OF the court wa
over. Squire b. A. Jacob heard the othe
cases on the docket.
WOULD NOT SEND THEM Up.
While the case OF Henry Hart (colored)
| charged with illegally registering, he not be
ing a naturaliZed citizen, was being con
sidered the examination OF witnesses was In
terrupted by the appearance OF United
| States Marshal Scott in court, who asked III
Police Justice that all persons in the custod.
OF his court who were arrested on the charg
Of violating the election laws be turned owe
to bin.
Me,srs. Allan and Page both objected L
that being done. They held that the partle
now being tried had been arrested under th
State Law, and II the United States Hsrsha
wanted the persons who were in the custod.
OF the Police Court he could take ont VIII
OF habeds corpus and mandamus to compe
the Police Justice 10 surrender them.
TIE MARsBAL's INTENTIONS.
Marshal Scott will at once swear ont war
rants against all OF the accused. and he wi
have them rearrested as soon a. their case
are disposed Of IN the Police Court. He wi
be present on Saturday 10 summon the vii
nesses. These cases will be brought beior
Commissioner Wall on the 9th.
BEFORE TIE COMMISSIONER.
Messrs. A. B. Guigon and Preston Belylr
charged with delaying voting in Jaekso
Ward on Tuesday, appeared before United
essCommlssioner Wall Yesterday. Thel
cases were continued until November 2ith
Messrs. G. V. Meredith and William l.
Royal appeared as counsel for these gentle
men.
Commissioner Wall also continued th
cases Of the colored men charged with illegi
voting to the same date. Mr.. Edgar Ala
appeared as counsel for the coored voters.