The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-16
CAN SEE THE POLL-BOOKS
ACTION OF THE CITY COMMITTEE.
After . Lively Discussion in tho CIrcuit
Court-Room They Decided to Grant
Colonel spotswood's Request.


era question of greeting between citizens as
they met on the street and the almost mo-
nopoizing subject OF conversation at the
clubs. hotels and public places. and the dis
cussions were not inirequently carried on in
excited tones.
The matter increased rapidly in general in
terest at the close OF the investigation Tues
day night, when the committee refused TO
allow Colonel Spotswood the use of the poll
book. ana under the excitement of the news
paper communications. alildayits and other
publications the public pulse had reached to
fever boat last evening al 3 o'clock, the hour
for the meeting Of the committee.
The further knowledge that counsel for
both sides had been busy since the adI ourn-
ment of the committee procuring evidence
and counter-eyidence made a still more stub
born fight seem likely, aud lively tilt was
looked for last night
The chairman Of the committee. however,
had forestalled the scene of Tuesday night by
having two police officers nj the head OF the
steps leading from the street 10 the circuit
courtroom with instructions not to admit
any one except the committee, the contest
ant. cOntestee. their counsel and the re-
porters. AT o'clock. when Chairman Wood
called the meetingto order. there was scarcely
quorum present and only one Of the coun-
sci. Dir. -. 6. Richardson, was there. In q
few moments however. all were in their
seats IN the same order as on the previous
night.
Mr.. PAGE WANTS A RECOUNT.
The chairman handed to the secretary a
paper to be read. which proved to be de-
mand from Mr. Samuel NJ. Page, candidate
in the late primary tor Council from Jefferson
ward, for a re-canvass and recount OF the
vote 1t will be remembered Mr.. Page was
defeated by Mr. lsadore Hirshberg by one
vote. He basis his demand for recount on
the ground that simple correction Of the
discrepancies in each Of the four precincts
OF the ward would give him
majority over Mr. Hirshberg. He
further alleges, however. that at least
one ballot was cast at the second precinct
with the name OF the only candidate for High
Constable left off, and was counted, and that
said ballot contained Mr.. Hirshberg's name.
He charges sei eral other discrepancies IN the
handling OF the ballots. but makes no allega-
tons of fraud. lie asks that committee
selected by the city central committee eI-
anime the ballots cast at the four precincts
referred TO at his expense. He also requests
that tine committee receive the notice OF his
contest in executive session. and to only con-
slider 1t after the contest then before the com
mttee is decided, it being his wish to njure
no one by his contest.
On motion the paper was passed until a
larger number OF the committee was present
Mr.. Snell!ngs then moved for an open session.
Or. Wood opposed 1t only on the ground that
order could not be kept with Il large crowd
present. MIR Hicks spoke ia favor of the open
session, with the understanding that the room
be cleared whenever the crowd became noisy.
The motion was passed and the room was i'm
mediately filled with an interested throng.
Nh +. Ii. Mcclure then arose in behalf of
Colonel Spotwood and said they would con-
tinue TO pursue the plan adopted at the pre-
90. frst fl.a
Third precinct of Jefferson ward. He then
read the affidavit Of Ed. Pagan which ap-
peared in the Dispatch stating that he was at
this precinct all day during the election. and
that 1t was impossible for any fraud to have
been committed without his knowledge. etc
Following this he read Mr.. Aliens reply and
Mr. Fsgan's rejOinder. and also an affidavit
from Thomas Dolan. Charles S. Hill,
John Kelly and ID. ii. Hay ayering
that Mr.. Pagan was seen by them on
that day at several other points in the
city during the hours of election. Mr. Nc
CURE then read list OF slxty-one names
making affidavit that they had voted
for Colonel Spotswood for Commonwealth
Attorney at the Third precint, jefferson ward.
instead of 30 awarded him. and explained that
these were the result of about 200
voters seens Tout OF q total of 303 and
made concise analysis OF the entire
poll, showing what vote each candidate
should have received on that basis. He then
asked permission TO read list of 800 names
of Democratic citizens petltioning the COM
mittee TO allow Colonel Spotswood 10 examine
the pOll-book. AlT. Cosby objected. Mr.
Davis. of the committee moved that the names
be received without being read. Mr. Mcclure
eXctely jumped 70 his feet saying: NOu can
shut my mouth, but cannot shut the mouths
of our Democratic citizens. You might shut
them now. but they will not stay shut You
must let the good Democrats OF this city
speak You do not know who these people
are. | ask this not in behalf Of my client.
but IN the interest Of the Democratic party.
and 1t is time the Democratic party
be heard.
DIR. WOOD
Mr. Snellings moved that the names be al
lowed TO be read. Before the vote was taken
DR.. Wood left the char and addressed the
committee. He said. We want to get at the
bottom facts and we ought to grant
full latitude in the matter. lie
then drew from his pocket and
read from the State election laws
a clause pertaining TO the disposition OF poll
books where they were needed in evidence
and closed by saying that as chairman of the
committee he did not intend TO stand on
tecnicalities; that If the committee were again
to refuse TO reconsider the vote against
allowing the contestor the use of the
poll-boo he would. as chairman. decide
against them, and allow the use of the books.
Chairman Wood then had read "A copy OF a let
ter written Thursday to Hon. J. Taylor Ely
son. chairman Virginia State Democratic
committee Meade Haskins, Esq. chairman
Third district Virginia State Democratic
committee; Charles V. Meredith. member Of
executive committee Virginia State Demo
cratic committee.
The letter read: 1T has occurred to me
that in the pending contest between Colonel
NJ. l.. Spotswood and Mr.. II. Nj. Smith Jr..
YOU might in your position be OF SER
vice to the city committee IL advising
pursue in determining this question.
The committee Is exceedingly anxious
TO do exact Justice 10 all concerned, but the
situation is a very perplexirs one, and ! ieel
the need of the wisest counsel. Therefore
write TO inquire whether 1t would he agree
able to you TO give to the committee the bene-
M of your suggestions if the committee
should deem il best to call you into their coua-
CHS write you In this way because wal make
known my wishes at the meeting on frlday
night. and Will request that YOU make no
other engagement for that night"
This was followed by the reading OF favor
able answers from each one OF the gentlemen
named. and the information that they were
near by awaiting the call OF the committee II
they were needed. On motion they were
unanimously invited 10 appear and address
tha committee. The previous motion 10 al
low the list of names to be read was passed and
thev were nearly finished when the reader
was interrupted bv the entrance OF Messrs.
EiIvson Haskins and Meredith.
Chairman Wood briefly explained the rea-
= &c ;nvitino their presence before the CON-