Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-30
MITCHELL WILL RUN.
HIS FRIENDS CONFER AND DECIDE TO
MAKE A STILL HUNT.
Judge Hughes Arrives ard VIII Hear the
Taylor Case To-Day-How He
VIII Decide Ii.

Aconference OF John Mitchell friends
and supporters was held last night to de-
eide whether or not be should be can
didate for Congress as requested by the
colored mems meeting Monday night.
The consultation was to have been
held at the True Reformers' Bank, but
when the politicians met there at 9
O'Clock Il was found that numerous unin-
vited spectators we're present, so they adj
journed TO Mitchell's house, 7l4i north
Third street Here they remained IN ses-
sion until 10 o'clock.
ORGANIZE FOR WORK.
4. c. Brown presided, with Robert
Bullock as secretary. 1t was decided to
keep the proceedings a close secret, aud
marked reticence was observed by those
seen after adjournment.
Henrico, Chesterfield, and Richmond
were fully represented. 1t was deter
mined to issue q call tomorrow or Sat
urday for a mass- meeting to be held at
the colored Odd-Fellows' Hall on either
Saturday or Monday night.
An organization was perfected, with
Hezekiah +. Jonathan, Of Henrico,
chairman, and Ben. r, Yanderyall, of
Richmond, secretary.
Jonathan IS the only person who is
authorized to speak for the ICON
ference"
TALK OF AN ADDRESS.
During the day yesterday Mitchell in-
formed a Dispatch reporter that he
would prepare an address to be sub
mitted 10 the meeting. When seen late
last night he sand everything was to be
kept quiet. 1t may therefore be inferred
that it was not deemed advisable to APP
pear in print.
Mitchell Will undoubtedly be candi-
date in opposition to Mr.. Wise. Leaving
aside the fact that he sought the endorse
ments, there would be no good in calling
q mass-meeting or having an organiza-
tion unless there was a fight to be made.
Tho Case Of Registrar Taylor.
Judge Robert w. Hughes, Of the
United States Court, arrived in the city
yesterday afternoon on the 5:15 tram,
and at some time to-day, perhaps about
noon, he will hear the case of Mr.. Robert
Taylor, the registrar of the Second pre-
cinct in Jackson Ward, who was arrested
on the charge OF refusing 10 allow Su-
pervisor Clinton DePrest to make a
copy of the observation-disclosures.
The Judge came from his homo III Alb
ingdon. where he has been for some
little time, aud should have reached the
city q few minutes after noon. but was de-
layed by the failure of tho Norfolk and
Western train to make connection
at Petersburg. The fact that he
was coming was known TO the
officers of the court and some few others.
Clerk Peasants and Assistant District
Attorney Bristow remained at their Of
fees until he came and spoke with him
briefly about the Taylor case. which has
attracted q great deal OF attention in po-
litical circles here.
MAKE OUT THE CHARGE.
1t can hardly be said that these gentle
men had a conference with the Judge,
though each talked with him for n short
while, and after getting some idea of the
case, which is to be brought before
MIN, be told Mr. Peasants 10
direct Mr.. De Priest to have
foady to day a plain statement Of
the facts concerning the application made
to the Registrar for the privilege of
copying the books and his refusal to per-
nit this, 30 that the matter may be pro-
cceded with inteiligently.
HOW HE WILL DECIDE.
A Dispatch reporter called at Judge
Hughes's Office few minutes after 8
o'clock and talked with him for some
time regarding the charge against Mr.
Taylor. When the scribe entered the
room Judge Waddill, who was few min
utes later 10 leave for Washington, was
engaged in conversation with Judge
Hughes. lie soon left, as he had to
get supper and catch the 6:i5 train.
Referring TO the arrest OF Mr.. Taylor,
Judge Hughes said be thought it strange
that point of this kind should be raised
and he bothered with hearing the case
in district where there is no contest. He
did not, Of course, care TO express him
self as he will have TO render decision
to-day, and besides he was not sufficient
ly well advised to know what questions
were involved.
The law concerning the copying OF
registration-bo books, he said, is very clear,
and the courts have been unanimous in
their rulings under it. He had himself
held for fifteen or sixteen years that
registration-b books are nothing more than
public records, which any citizen has q
right to copy as well as no has any other
paper filed in o clerks Office.
ANYBODY CAN COPY.
"Why." said the Judge, "the Dis
patch or any other paper would have a
perfect right TO send to the Clerk OF the
Hastings Court and have the books
copied or employ the clerk to do so, pay
ing him for his services, demanding that
he certify to the same. The real section
OF the Revised Statutes bearing upon
the matter is No. $500, which prescribes
heavy penalty mot more than two
years imprisonment or fine not ex-
ceeding $4,000 for any obstruction of
the supervisors of elections in the dis
charge OF their duties "
The Judge said further that in con
gressional elections there are no State
officers, but that all persons engaged i'll
their conduct become Federal officials.
THE OBJECT SOUGHT.
While many theories have been sug-
gested as to why the Republicans resort
ed to this proceeding, it appears that the
real design is to get decision from the
Court which may have some effect IN
districts where the Republicans have
candidates and the contests are close.
This idea is borne out by the fact that As
sistant- District Attorney Bristow is said
to have sent telegram soon after Judge
Hughes's arrival TO John X. Waddy, man
ager Of Bowden's campaign, telling him,
presumably upon the authority Of Judge
Hughes, that the supervisors of election
may demand that they be allowed to
make copies of registration-books MS
public records, and that any person,
registrar or not, who obstructs them in
this act OF official duty must be arrested
and held for trial under the statute re-
fered to above.