The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-01
A REGISTRAR ARRESTED.
CHARGED WITH NEGLECT OF DUrT
Mr.. James Phillips Tried Before the United
States Comm ission.r and SENT On to The
Grand Jury-2,oOO Ball.

The people OF Richmond were given
gentle hint yesterday as to the situation
OF matters political. should that most In
iquitous OF all partisan schemes. the Force
bill. be put into operation; or, rather
should there be an attempt to execute the
monstrous measure. But the Southern
people have little notion of submitting to
this tyranny at the hands OF exacting
domineers, and they don't scare worth q
cent.
Mr. James Phillips. a highly-esteemed
gentleman, who lives just beyond the city
limits. was arrested yesterday on war
rant sworn out by John w. Clarke, and
marched up before United States Com
missioner Flegenhimer. on a charge OF
violating the law In falling TO perform
his duties as registrar At Shoemaker's
election district in Henrico county, on
the 10Th instant.
THE WARRANT.
The warrant, issued by Commissioner
Flegenhimer. on the oath of John W.
Clarke, charges that James Phillips.
registrar at Shoemaker's election district,
in Henrico county did, on or about the
18th day Of October. in violation Of sec
don 55i2 Of the revised statutes Of the
United States, wifully and knowingly at
n registration OF voters for an election
for delegate I'm the Congress OF the United
States, held on the 10Th day OF October,
I'm the year 1892, at said election district,
at Shoemaker's, In Henrico county neg
lect and refuse 10 perform his duties as
such registrar and absent himself from
the place Of registration, whereby large
numbers Of persons, TO wit: William Wat
kns. John Ellis, ". II. West jackson
Fund. Rev r, II. Bennett. James
Vaughan Frank r. West John Coving-
ton and others. all Of whom were entitled
to be registered, were deprived OF the
right to be regis cred the same being an
act required TO entitle them 10 vote at an
election to be held on the Sth day of No
vember. 1892. for a delegate in the Con-
gross of the United States"
RESIGNED ON FRIDAY.
It was ascertained that Mr.. Phillips
had held the office OF registrar for some
time but resigned his office on Friday
last TO qualify as one Of the United
States supervisors for the precinct. after
having received the appointment from
Chief Supervisor NJ. f. Peasants.
properly qualified who had made appli-
cation TO him.
He performed all preliminary duties.
such as posting notices, &C. and acted
registrar as late as Friday morning,
when he registered a man by the name
Of Thompson, having given Allen
Harris transfer for a colored man 10
Hampton the night before.
Mr.. Phillips left his resignation with
Mr. Courtney Friday afternoon between
4 and 3 O'Clock. Whether this was &C
cepted or not Is not known. He left on
Friday and tried to get some one 10 take
his place. as he wished to qualify for
supervisor that evening and he could not
attend to both at once.
He failed TO secure any one to take
his place, however, until Saturday after
noon. end between and 10 o'clock Fri
day evening qualified for supervisor be-
! fore Mr.. Lewis. He came to the polls
| the next morning and stated that he had
resigned the office Of registrar.
, THE TRIAL.
Mr.. Phillips was arrested, and Messrs
! c. V. Meredith and Meade Haskins, who
volunteered to defend him, accompanied
him TO the commissioners Office. wher'
the case was continued until O'Clock
yesterday afternoon. the accused beins
| bailed in the sum Of 5000.
When the case was called yesterday
evening before Commissioner Flegen'
himer District Attorney Bristow appeared
for the Commonwealth, while Messrs
Meredith and Haskins represented th'
accuf ed.
The prosecution claim that the accused
was under contract to hold his office as
registrar, and to perform his duties as
! such, until his successor was appointed
that Ii was illegal for him 10 leave the
polls and thus deprive citizens from vot-
| ing until he had put some one in his
place, and that the accused wilfully VIC
/ lated the law when he undertook the
duties OF supervisor to the neglect Of his
work as registrar
The defense argued, on the contrary
that the accused had a perfect right &c
accept the position as supervisor as sooT
as he had qualified for same; that he haC
submitted his resignation In writing TO 6
member OF the board of HenricO county
and that he was justinable, according Il
the laws OF Virginia in his conduct. Mr.
! Hasklns read section 163 OF the Code
| bearing on the case. and stated that the
very fact that the accused had qualified
as Federal supervisor proved that he die
not wilfully violate the law; that the
| State statute gave a man a right TO &C
cept a Federal Office when holding a State
Office, and that the court OF appeals die
not override the Virginia statute.
Commissioner Flegenhimer declined 4
| decide the case. which was sent on e
the grand jury. the accused being pu
under bond to the amount OF 5000. Mr.
A. w. Ball was the bondsman.