Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-21
MUST SEND IT BACK.
THE GOVERNOR REvokEs A coMMls-
SION m ELiZAsETH CITY COUNTY.
A Notary Public Who was Not Notary
Under the Law--Pardcn
Granted.

Some weeks ago Governor Mckinney,
upon tho recowmendation OF the County
Judge OF Elizabeth City, commissioned
John G. Tucker a notary public for tho
county.
A few days since o communication
signed by lawyer appeared IN the Hsmp-
ton paper contending that by this act the
Governor had recognized the inmates OF
the Hampton Soldiers Home as citizens,
and consequently that they had the right
TO vote.
This was the frst intimation the Gov:
ernor had that Tucker was an inmate OF
the Home, and he took immediate steps 70
ascertain fuckers exact status.
NOT TAx-PAYER.
From the Clerk Of the Elizabeth CITY
Court he received certificate that Tucker
lived at the Home, paid no taxes, was not
listed for taxation, and that no voted Ia
distant State. This certificate was sent TO
tho Judge of the court. who returned IL TO
the Executive Office with the endorsement
that he (the Judge) was not thinking about
the matter when he signed his name. and
that he regretted having done so.
THE LAW ON THE SUBJECT.
As TO any recognition that Tucker Is a
citizen that Is disposed Of by the Virginia
statutes. The act of iS69-'50 eeding 20
the United States the land on which the
Soldiers Home is located expressly pro-
vides that the inmates OF the Home Shall
not vote or hold Office in Virginia. Fur
thermore. in order TO qualify a notary must
make oath that he is a citizen of vlrginia.
Yesterday the Governor wrote TO Tucker,
revOking his commission as notary ana
demanding its return.
THE RULE OF THE EXECUTIVE oFFfcE.
The rule of the Executive Office is to
commission none as nOtaries unless they
are endorsed by the Judge or the member
of the House from their counties. In this
instance the applicant received the en-
dorsement of the Judge. who, 10 seems,
signed his name at the request OF Colonel
Wood6n, Governor of the Soldiers Home.
It was impossible, under the clrcum-
stances, for Governor Mckinney to know
that Tucker was not eligible.
NoTARIEs AZ BOON" INDICATORS.
In this connection it may be mentioned
that applications for appointments as nota-
res are not bad indications of the material
and industrial development IN NHginia.
MANY counties in which, before the boom
started, there were only one OF two Dota-
ries. now have their full quota, tins state
of things having become necessary by
reason of increased business. Ii may also
be stated that in order to keep within the
limits of the law which allows only one
notary TO so many inhabitants the Gov
ernor has frequently to refuse applications.
A Pardon Granted.
The Governor yesterday pardoued Bar
new Cleaver, convicted in the County
Court of Pulaski of robbery April, 1899,
and sentenced to five years in the peni'
tentiary.
Henry Houston. his confederate IN the
crime, was convicted az subsequent term
Of the court and sentenced 10 eight years
in the same prison.
Governor Mckinney. in giving his reason
for Executive clemency, says this case was
taken 10 the Court OF Appeals and the de
cisiOn Of the court below reversed and The
case remanded for further proceedings
The Commemorative Attorney. with th'
consent of Court, refused 20 prosecute
further and entered u nOLe proseq,G.
The Judge who tried Cleayer and thu
Commonwealth attorney who prosecuted
him say that his is case tor Executive
clemency.
For Confederate Pensions.
Treasurer Harman hos been informed o
| several beneliciar1es under the direct-tal
| bill who are willing 70 surrender thei
! claims 20 the State for The benefit of tn
fund tor the pension of Confederate sol