Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-30
ALL OF THEM SENT ON.
hEssRs. BELvIN, SMITH. AND COT
IRELL BEFORE COMMISSIONER
PLEAsAgTs.
Preliminary Examination Concluded and
Thsir Cases Certified to tho United
States Grand Jury.

kn6lf thb5b tortlUtu U tDo tuibcA
States Grand Jury.
The preliminary examination into the
cases OF Messrs. Belvin, Smith, and CottreIl,
charged with obstructIng and hinderng
voting at the First precinct, Jackson Ward,
at the late presidential election, was con"
tinued before Commissioner NJ. +. Peasants
yesterday morning.
The room was pretty well filed all during
the day with those connected with the case
aud other interested spectators.
Ia addition 10 the nine Witnesses examined
by the prosecution on Monday the following
others were sworn and gave their testimony:
Edward Thompson, J. II. Powell, George
o. Carter, and David Robertson.
Their evidence was Of the same character
as that given on Monday, fair samples Of
which were published In yesterdays Dis
patch.
The prosecution rested their case about
noon, and then the defence presented their
side.
FOR THE DEFENCE.
Their witnesses were Messrs. Smith aud
Bevin, who acted az Democratic challengerS
at this precinct; Mr. Cottrell. who Was one
OF the judges OF election; Captain Charles II.
Epps. who had charge Of the police in this
district; Policemen Gibson and Baker and
MIR. schultz, the last named OF whom was a
Democratic canyzsser for that precinct and
clerk on eleciiOD-day.
The witnesses were put on the stand IN
the order in which they are named above,
aud The three gentlemen accused testified at
considerable length, telling all that they did
IN the way Of challenging, &c. All OF the
witnesses were confident that none OF the ac-
cnsed bad violated the law either in letter or
spirit, nor bad they done more than was
their duty 10 the party when they repre-
sented.
Sir. Smith said that during the entire day
not more than about thirty negroes were
challenged, and the right OF these to vote
was questioned in most cases because names
similar to theirs appeared on the lists Of dis
franchsed persons furnished by the clerks
Of the Hastings aud Police Courts. Mr.
Smith said the only other list OF names
which the Democratic canvassers had
we're those OF persons living IN
the thirkiy-settled part OF the county
adjoining the territory embraced by
this precinct. who might easily vote IN
the city II tbe prOper watcbfuness were not
exercised on The part OF the party managers
TO prevent such occurrences. Mr.. Smith,
and in fact all OF the witnesses. testified ihat
DO person was challenged without what was
believed TO be good cause; that no questions
were asked for the purpose OF delaying tue
voting; tnat the law concerning the vote on
the question Of holding constitutional con-
ycnliOn was only read when voter de-
sired 10 be informed on this subject;
that had the Democrats desired to
III, q 70.
sorted to tactics which would have pre-
ciuded the possibility OF more than $50 col,
Ored persons voting at any one precinct;
tnst the Democrats only exercised their law
ful privilege and public duty IN trying to
Keep cut illegal votes, aud IL this resulted ~
depryiug a large number OF persons from
exercising their night OF franchise the mu-
n,cipal government should be blamed for
not incre isne the DumDer Of precincts, aud
not the Democrats held responsible.
THE ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Meade Haskins, who had been present
and assisting Mr.. Meredith in the defence al
during the examination, was compelled 10
absent himself yesterday afternoon to attend
the sale OF some property IN which be was
Interested. Mr. j. Aston Cabeil therefore
opened the case Tor the gentlemen accused,
and presented 1t in very clear, Iorciblc
argument. lie insisted that The accused
should be discharged; that they were gentle
men OF pure characters and the very best
Standing in both business aud social circles;
that there was not shown by the evidence
such probable cause as the law contemplates
on which they should be sent on; that
the charges should he dismissed, and II tue
prosecution saw Ut the grand jury might be
asked TO inquire into the cases; that no
possible harm could re,ult from dismsslng
tue charges, Whlle 10 send them on TO the
grand Jury might have a tendency to reflect
on the character OF honorable. law-ablding
citizens.
Sir. Cabell, who spoke for an hour, was
followed by Mr.. G. V. Meredith, who cons
Quoted the defence. This gentleman spoke
about half hour, suppementlng and en-
forcing the points made by bis associate.
MIR. Uugnes, for the prosecution. spoke
very briefly. lie declared that he fully ap-
precialed all said by opposing counsel as TO
The character OF their clients, but he thought
there was sufficient evidence 10 warrant the
sending on Of the accused.
SENT on.
Mr.. Pleasants said the matter was very
important one and he thought IA jury should
pass upon Il. He therefore sent the gertle-
men on to the grand jury aud they gave bail
for their appearance. The next regular
eland Jury will meet the first Monday in
April aud the cases will come up then unless
a special one shall be ordered at an earlier
date.
OTHER CASES.
The remaining cases OF "A similar character
come up before Commissioned PIeasants this
morning. The defendants are Mcssrs ".
J Gentry. y. Il. Guigon two charges,
Irving CGrringtou, Waiter Blackburne,
Mike Shortell, T.. e. Tate, John Finnerty,
A. Glazebrook, w. j. stevens, william {.
Preston, John Hunter, aud George W.
Lindsay.
The charges against those who were at the
Third precinct, Jackson Wsrd, will be taken
up first, and then those connected with the
Second and Fourth precincts.
THR GRAND-JURY CAsEs-PERsONAL.
In Richmond, where these accused are
well known aud where all OF the circum-
stances Of the case are perfectly
understood, the prosecution can in no.
wise Impair their standing; but 1t may
be necessary 10 say for the benefit
of the outside public that these are gentle
men OF high-standing- aud honorable
men, and that that Will be the conclusion OF
a trial by Jury l. not doubted.