The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-10
THE ELECTION FRAUDS.
THE CASE VAS CALLED IN 7HE
HEHRICO COUNTY COURT
But WAS Postponed UntiI tn. May Ir,~.
The Prisoners Fsbxiied-ssvsraJ
Other Minor LAses Heard.

The Smithers precinct election fraud
case came up in Henrico Court yesterday,
and the trial was postponed until the
second day of the May term, Tuesday, the
18th instant.
Mr.. c. V. Meredith and Colonel Meade
Haskins appeared for the defendants and
CAPTAIN A. y. Guigon for the Common
wealth.
Mr. Meredith addressed the Court and
asked for continuance. He said ne had
not heard until few day ago that the
case was set for the 18th, and that I'M
der the circumstances this was really
the first hearing of the case; that one OF
his clients, Mr. J. W. Holeran, was 10
be married on the 18th. and that unless
the necessity was great, so important
engagement should be considered; that his
associate counsel. Colonel Haskns. had
just gotten out after a fyeweeks' Illness
and that his physician had said that II
would be injurious for him 10 under
take the case at this time.
He further said that the case had grown
out Of newspaper publication, and should
be treated as any ordinary case.
Captain Guigon controverted the idea
that this was any ordinary case; In
deed. said ne, it is very extraordinary
case; that ii was so regarded by every
body, and a grand jury specially called
to sit upon Il, and had adjourned from
day TO day: that Il large number OF wit
nesses had been summoned; that under
ordinary circumstances he would not
object TO a postponement, but that this
was an extraordinary case
Judge Wickham here broke in and said
that the case was not strictly set in
proper sense that he named that day as
being the earliest date when IL could be
tried without interference with other
cases.
Captain Guigon said he did not mean TO
criticise the Court, but the nth was named
as the date. and that it had been so pub
lished. and so understood by the people
at large
As for Colonel Haskins' sickness he
did not see how his physician could tell
what his condition would be on the nth.
and. moreover. that as there were sev-
eral other eminent counsel for the de-
fence. he could see no objection to a
speedy trial: that while the statutory law
made the offence q misdemeanor, it was a
case Of great gravity, and one in which
the whole Commonwealth was deeply in
terested. and ne would oppose postpone
ment with his whole soul.
NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS.
Mr.. Meredith said that ii was true the
case vas a misdemeanor. and that was
all that could ever be made of it, that
good deal had been said through the
newspapers and a good deal OF prejudice
had been raised. but these were mat
tiers that the Court had nothing TO do
with.
He said Mr.. Guigon had been specially
employed to prosecute the case by GER
tain parties, some Of whom were con.
nected with the newspapers
Judge Wickham: Stop. gentlemen. | do
not think IL proper 10 question Mr.. Gut
CONS position in the case.
Mr.. Guigon then arose TO question Of
personal privilege. and said he was en-
ployed by the Commonwealth. and would
not in one iota allow any newspaper
association that he might have influence
him in this case, and that he was sorry
after twenty years acquaintance with
the gentlemen on the other side, that
they should make that estimate OF him.
Mr.. Meredith discaimed any intent 10
reflect on Captain Guigons integrity. and
said II was creditable to his ability that
he had been selected. and TO his ambi-
ton that he had accepted II.
Colonel Haskns then took the floor
and stated that ne had been sick seven
weeks. and If there was any difference of
opinion between Captain Guigon and his
physician, Or. George Ben Johnson. OF
his ability TO conduct the case on the 18th.
he would like 70 have the latter sum
moned and testify
The Judge asked II the case was SET
for the I'D. If that would suit him.
Colonel Haskins replied that his knee
was just in that condition that the doe
tor said If ne was careful a permanent
cure would soon result, and ii he were
imprudent he might be lame for life;
therefore he did not think he ought TO be
placed in the position Of a forced trial
IN reply to a question from the Judge. he !
said he did not think he could do justice
TO the case even in two weeks.
BY consent II both sides the case w9s |
then fixed for the second day Of the May |
term and the trial made peremptory on |
that day.
The prisoners We're rebailed in the same /
sum. 500 each. 10 appear at the term !
named.
OTHER CASES
Several minor civil cases were disposed |
Of and Buddie Taylor, a negro. was
fined s. and sent to Jail one day for steal
ing a strap off a cows neck. which he
so,- for three drinks Of whisky.
The trial of Morris Hopkins, for the
murder Of Mr.. H. :. Parsons. was set
for to-day.
tine case Of John NJ. Wood. charged with
assault on young woman. Will come up
on the nth
Several cases Of felonious assault were
set for future days; g. r. Morton and
James Beverly, on the 18th, and William
Cooper, on the nth.