Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-01-04
HON. ROSS HAMILroN,s CASE.
The Committee Hears Argument. -
HOt.headed Democrat

The case of James n. hutchinson.
white against Ross hamilton, colored,
was heard before the Committee on
Privileges last Thursday night in the
Hall of the House of Delegates. Col.
W. +. Giddings, counsel for Mr. Hamil-
ton said that they were willing to
submit the case without argument.
This the contestant refused TO do.
Lawyer WIN. T. Atkins counsel for
hutchinson spoke. 1t was amusing
to see how he tried TO show that the
colored people that he was there as
sisting to rob of a representative,
were very anxious TO vote the Demo-
cratic ticket. he spoke In behalf of
the colored people of Virginia that
they should have the right of a secret
ballot. Tickets had been marked
and he claimed that this DESTROYED
the secrecy as designed by the law.
He desired lit votes thrown out.
Mr.. hamilton had secured 81 MAORI
ty on Che face of the returns despite
Democratic fraud The counsel for
the contestant inadvertently resert,
TO the fact that there was no COLI.
ed on the committee. he cited the
decisions of the Supreme Court OF
illinois and Michigan.
Lawyer williams followed. he is a
red-faced impulsive sort of custom
er whose worst fault might sbe his
love of bitters. he referred to the
claim by the contestee that the mark
ing of the ballots was not as ameans
of intimidating the voters, but as a
check upon the judges of election.
Said he, Ii the judges We're corrupt
the marking of the ballots would
have amounted to nothing, other
ballots could have been put in their
places" By this statement, he de-
monstrated that he was thoroughly
acquainted as to how the thing YVES
done. He added CT would not allow
them to keep any tally of the vote. -
1t was like intimidation. / told one
of them that would tear the book
up, so heSwent away, Col. Summer
willie said he would keep the tally
and told him he should not do it.
Another n an said be would keep
tally. / knew he had very
little influence with the Negroes so
| withdrew nv objections to his
keeping tally but the boys drove
him away" Here was the counsel
for the contestant openly admitting
that he had violated the law and
stating before the Committee facts
that will serve to condemn him and
his party at the bar of public opin-
ion. What think the Northern
journals of those assertions He.
said also, " A man has a right 10
bulldoze a man into doing right.
We had the polls upstairs and we
went in one at time. On the way
up, he had chance to changs bis
ticket ~
Judge Yarrell spoke. He..
had expected TO reply to Mr.. An.
but as that side had waived sliscus
sion, he was at loss to know wha
to say since the ground had been
fully covered by those whe preced-
ed him. We learn THAI he is in the
senate from the Senatorial Dis
trict in which GreeneviIle is locat-
ed. He holds seat to which he
b never been elected, by throw
lug out the overwhelming Repnb
lican vote of Sussex Co.
Mr.. Ross Hamilton said that he
had been reliably informed that the
House had decided to unseat him
as far as could be ascertained from
the members, and it was needless
to go to much expense. His state
ment of the case was submitted.
There were but four colored mem
bers in the lower branch and now
the Democrats show plainly tina
theywill rOb.One of them of his seat
And such is De mocratic Justice.