Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-29
lie KEPT HIS BOOKS.
REGISTRAR TAYLOR DECLINES Al
LOWING HIS LISTS COPIED.
For This Commissioner Pleasants Issues
sWarrant and Has Him Ar
rested-The Facts

Mr.. Robert Taylor, the Democratic
registrar of the Second precinct in Jack
son Ward, was arrested yesterday after
noon on warrant issued by United
States Commissioner Matthew L. Pleas
ants and executed by Special Super
yisois Guy and Lowe, charging him
with violating the Revised Statutes by re-
fusing TO allow Supervisor Clinton De-
Priest TO make a copy OF the registration
books
Mr.. Taylor was taken before Commits
f;oner Atkins short while after his or
rest. and by agreement the case was laid
over until Thursday afternoon at 4
o'clock. and the registrar was recognized
without bond for bus appearance at that
time.
The Government WIS represented by
Assistant -District-Attorney l.. 9. Bns-
tow. and Messrs james G. Lamb and G.
v. Meredith appeared as counsel for the
election officers. Mr. LAMB is chair
man Of the City Democratic Committee
and il was by his advice that Mr.. Taylor
refused to allow copy of his books to
b. made.
THE WARRANT.
The following is an exact copy OF the
warrant that was served 10y the two depu-
ties, both Of whom were appointed last
Saturday to serve ut the registration and
on the day of election:
Z" 10 the Marsbai Of the United States
f0r the Eastern district Of Virginia,
and 10 His Deputies or any Of Them :
"Whcrcas complaint has been made
hv Clinton DePriest on oath before me,
II z. Peasants. a Commissioner of the
United States for the Eastern district Of
Virmnia. charging that Robert Taylor,
r.pistrar Second precinct jackson Ward,
Richmond. Va, did on or about the
9th dav of -- violate the election
laws OF the United States (ssctOns 2OlG
aud 2026 United States Revised Statutes)
ly refusing TO allow Clinton DePrlest, n
sJpervisor of elections at said precinct,
10 make a copy Of the list Of regis
fr,d voters at said precinct Now.
therefore. you arc hereby commanded
in the name Of the President Of the
United States Of America 10 apprehend
tlc s.ld Robert Taylor and bring his
10iy forthwith before Thomas :. Atkins,
one of the commissioners appointed by
fe Circuit Court OF the United States,
for the Eastern District of Virginia. at
his Office in the city of Richmond, that
le may then and there be dealt with
according 20 law for said offence.
"Cnyen under my hand and seal this
9.th dav Of October, in the year OF our
Lord 1890, and of our independence the
11ftb. an. L. PLEAsASTs,
..United States Commissioner of the
Eastern District Of Virginia "
II will bo observed that II is not
e,ated whether the alleged offence was
committed ON the 9th of October, Jan
nary. ~ July. THIS was, OF course, u
clerical omission.
MAKING NEW BOOKS.
Tho rcpistration-books OF this pre-
cinct have been greatly worn by long
nse and the erasure OF the names OF a
great number Of illegal voters two years
ago.
Recently Registrar Taylor was or
dcrcd by the Electoral Board, as pro-
vided by statute law Of the State, to
make ont q fair copy Of the books.
TAYLOR was making ont this copy and
had not quite finished it on the day OF
REGISTRATION. and for convenience in
handling and reference he had both the
ORIGINAL and his incomplete copy at the
polls.
1t is presumed that DePriest, who
was the Republican supervisor at this
precinct on Saturday, did not like the
appearance of these books. At any rate
he made complaint on Monday to Chief
Supervisor NJ. J.. Peasants, and 1t was
upon a letter from the latter that the
former went TO Mr. Taylor and asked or
demanded that he be permitted to copy
the books
TAYLOR SEEKS ADVICE.
TAYLOR went to Mr.. Lamb Monday
night and showed him a copy OF MIR.
Pleasantss letter to DePriest, directing
him to make "a copy of the registration
books at his precinct us required IN sec
tions 2OlG aud 202G OF the Revised
Sta;uics. and informing him that any
one who DISTRACTED him in that effort
would be liable to fine and imprison-
meut.
Mr. Lamb advised Taylor to refuse to
make COPY for DePriest and to say TO
him that he had consulted counsel and
that the State law under which he held
his Office prohibited him from allowing
the books TO so out of hls possession
that he could not himself make or afford
the loss of time necessary 20 superintend
the making Of copy OF the books, and
that he would give him his answer yes
terday after his counsel should have had
time to advise him as to ms rights and
liabilities in the matter
cNLED on THE COMMISSIONER.
Yesterday morning Mr. Lamb and Mr..
G. V. Meredith called on Mr.. Peasants
chief supervisor. 10 confer with him
with regard 10 this proceeding.
They stated that IN their Judgment the
sections referred 10 did not authorize
the supervisor TO have copy of the
registration-b books, but simply empower
ed him to make OF have made list of
The persons who registered on Saturday
last (registration day).
Mr.. Peasants replied that his memory
IniGii not bt tullttiN dCcutdlS, but uc
thought he had given the proper sec
tons. lie was requested to show the
two gentlemen his copy Of the Revised
Statutes, which he did, remarking that
Judge Hughes would be here to-day.
Mr. Peasants was asked il he would
postpone action IN the matter until it
could be brought before Judge Hughes.
lie refused 20 90 so.
Mr. Meredith then opened the volume
which be had and proposed that they
read the sections together with Mr..
Peasants, but that gentleman said he
must really be excused that he was
very busy and did not care to enter into
any legal argument.
JUDGE HUGHES TELEGRAPHsD TO.
At this Mr.. Meredith quickly shut the
book aud he and Mr.. Lamb left the
courtroom. They concluded to tele'
graph Judge Hughes and the following
vas sent /.