Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-30
ANDERSON PLEADS GUILTY
And is Fined 500 and Costs for Assaultin

Election Inspector James II. Early.
The case against A. g. B. Anderson,
colored, for assault and battery on Elec-
ton Officer James +. Early during the
past July elections came up before
Judge Ball in city court Monday night,
This was the case that was heard on
previous occasion and sent to the
upper court. From thence 1t was sent
below again, the upper court, claiming
jurisdiction rested with the city
Peter L. Cooper, Jr., appeared for the
prisoner. City Solicitor Elliott prose-
cuted. On arraignment the prisoner
pleaded guilty.
Election Officer James F. Early was
put upon the stand. He gave rather n
lively description OF what took place at
the election precinct.
Anderson, who was the third election
officer, waAinclined to make a racket
from the first. The witness, who was
chairman OF the election board requested
Officer Leach three OF four times to
arrest Anderson. Then Leach questioned
Inspector Earlys authority to order the
arrest.
Chairman EARLY read the law to the
police officer, who still refused to obey.
Subsequently he made up his, mind to
do something and told Anderson TO
come along with him. There was a
big racket out of doors. The crowd of
negroes was bowling. There was a
| 'gang of heelers there. Anderson came
running back. This was after the ar
rest. He crossed the chain which ropes
of the crowd and came up to the wit
ness chair. The next moment he yelled
out ~ want that tax receipt," and his
fist shot against Early's nose and eyes.
HE busted my lip" the witness said.
"Then we had it together. | got him
under my arm.
"Then three officers ran into the
room and fooled around without doing
anything,
ii called out the officers. are you
afraid of himg' (meaning Anderson.C
Mr.. Elliott-"Were you hit any
where9"
Early-"I was hit only once"
City solicitor-"Was that all the as
Early-"Not the only assault-it was
an assault on an election officer"
The witness reply to Mr.. Cooper was
to the effect that Slaughter was at the
ballot box when Anderson made trouble.
When Harris receipt was taken Early
put il in his pocket. But when Ander-
son asked too see it 1t was three or four
minutes after Inspector Early had put
the receipt away, and il was after
Anderson had been arrested. The tax
receipt lay on che table several minutes
and Anderson had plenty of opportunity
TO see it. Afterwards the witness
would not pull II out of his pocket.
The trouble had commenced before
that. Anderson could reach over across
the table and get any receipt as it was
presented. The tax receipt in question
was lying on the table in front of In
spector Myers.
Early said that Anderson struck him
SO fast he could not strike back.
Peter l.. Cooper, Jr., for the defend
ant, said his client had very diff
ferent story TO tell. Although Amber
son was not chairman of the board
OF election he had equal rights
with EARLY to see all the tax re-
ceipts. According to Early's testimony
Anderson asked to see receipt and
was refused. He went off and came
back for his hat. Counsel urged that
Early used more force than was neces-
sary and thereby became the aggressor.
He pleaded also that in election times
there are moments of heated feeling. He
asked the court for leniency and mercy.
The ourt reviewed the testimony and
referred to the fact that the prisoner had
struck the judge of election. The
prisoner as one of the election officers
had made certain demands. He had a
right to see the receipts, but at the
proper time. When the majority of the
election officers decide so it is their right
to retain receipt as evidence of guilt
The prisoner made demand for the re.
ceipt at the wrong time. There is ample
provision in the law for the protection
of everyone. An assault on an election
officer is not the same as an ordinary
assault.
The court then sentenced the prisoner
to pay fine of $50 and costs.