Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-29
names OF registered voters may be
marked for challenge, and TO cause such
names Registered az they may deem


names registered as they may deem
proper to be so marked /; TO make when
required the lists. or either OF them pro-
vided for in section 2026 and verify the
same, and upon any occasion and at any
time when in attendance upon the duty
herein prescribed, to personally
inspect and scrutinize such registry, AID
for purposes OF identification TO afiix
their signatures TO each page OF the ORR
ginal list, and OF each copy OF any such
list OF registered voters, at such times,
upon each day when any name may be
received, entered, or registered, and in
such manner Is will, In their Judgment,
detect and expose tho improper or
wrongful removal therefrorn, or addi-
ton thereto, OF any name.
Section POPS. Tho chief supervisor
shall prepare and furnish all necessary
books. forms, blanks, and instructions
for the use and direction OF the super
yisors OF election IN the several cities
and towns in their respective districts /;
he shsll receive the applications OF all
parties for appointment TO such posi-
tons upon the opening, as contem-
plated in section 20l2 of the Circuit
Court for the Judicial circuit in which
commissioner so Designated acts, be shall
present such applications to the judge
thereof and furnish information TO HIM
in respect to the appointment by the
court OF such supervisors OF election. He
shall require of the supervisor OF election
when necessary lists of the persons who
may register and vote. or either, In their
respective election districts or voting
precincts. and cause the names OF those
upon any such list whose right TO regis
ter or vote is honestly doubted TO be
verified by proper inquiry and examina-
ton at the respective places by them as
signed as their residences.
CONSULTED THE ATTORNEY.
Before issuing the warrant yesterday
morning Commissioner Peasants had a
consultation with Assistant District At
torney Bristow with reference to this
proceeding Mr.. Bristow, not having
looked carefully into the law
bearing on this question, did not
care TO advance q positive opinion.
His mind was not clear as to
whether Mr.. Pleasantss construction
of the statutes was the correct one. lie
was rather favorable to a mandamus
proceeding, but was frank to confess
that he was not satisfied in his own mind
that such would lie. Mr.. Brlstow did
not, however, go as far IA to advise
against the issuance of the warrant, but
manifested preference fora civil rather
than a criminal proceeding.
JUDGE HUGHES TO DECIDE.
There was tacit understanding reach
ed between Messrs. Bristow, Lamb. and
Meredith that Judge In hess decision
on the proper construction of the statute
shall be final Argument will be made
before him, and if ne holds that the
Federal authorities have a right to copies
of the State registration-b books they will
be produced and the matter will end
there; if, on the other hand, he IS Of
opinion that the chief supervisor had no
such night as ne exercised i'll demanding
the copy none will be made and Mr..
Taylor will be discharged. The effect OF
this agreement is that there shall be no
criminal prosecution.
WHAT IS THE DEsIGN2
just what the object of this unusual
proceeding is has not as yet been
shown. Mr.. Lamb and other leading
Democrats are of the belief that it is
purely an outrageous effort at intimida-
ton on the part of the Republicans.
They denounce the entire scheme in un-
measured terms and are not very mild In
their expressions concerning those CON
nected with il.
WHY He DID NOT SIT.
Commissioner Carter Harrison in
speaking Of the case said: Inasmuch
ms had been consulted by Assistant
District-AttoTney Bristow in reierenceto
the application of the law and had given
an opinion, besides taking Il somewhat
active part in the appointment OF the
election officers, / did not feel at
hberty-or, at least. did not think it en-
tirely fitting-to sit judicially in the
case. The case was therefore brought
before Commissioner Atkins. The mar
shals executing the processWere selected
by myself"