Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-13
Mr.. Smith viii Be Allowed 10 Ex.
anime The votlug-LlstS.
AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION
ao.r Mara Than Two Hours Debate the
City Committee Votes to Permit
the inspection.

that Mr. Smiths request be granted. Mr..
Landerkin moved as substitute that
any man who was candidate for nomi-
nation In the late primary be permitted
10 examine the books. saying that he
had no idea that the examination would
show anything wrong. Mr.. Gibbons &C
ceptcd the substitute.
Mr.. Wallace asked IL Mr.. Smith had
stated why he wanted TO look. and
whether he had said he suspected fraud.
Mr. Patteson said Mr.. Smith had made
no intimation Of fraud TO his satisfac-
ton.
DOUBTED IT'S EXPEDIENCY.
Mr.. Wallace doubted the expediency OF
opening the books 10 inspection. Candi-
dates had had week in which TO make
their demands. As he understood II an
investigation could not be had without
endangering the validity Of the election.
In the absence Of any allegation OF fraud
the committee would be doing injustice
to its judges and clerks.
Mr.. Ianderkin concluded that II would
be justice to the Judges and clerks to
permit the examination, as he was con-
ndent that such examination would prove
absolute fairness.
CAPTAIN George Wayne Anderson said
he had given considerable thought TO this
matter. No man was more In favor OF
purity Of elections than he was. He was
opposed TO allowing Mr.. Smith 20 ex-
anime the books. There was no allega-
ton Of fraud MIR. Smith had not Under
taken to say that he was defrauded. 1t
had come to his ears and doubtless 10
the ears of other members OF the COM
mittee that the whole foundation OF the
demand was an election -bet.
TO SETTLE Il BIT.
Captain Anderson said he had heard.
though he did not vouch for II,
that Mr.. Smith had bet he would
not be defeated by the majority
he was defeated by. His demand, IL
that was the case. was unreasonable, IL
not impairment. We're the committee
and the Democratic party TO b. at TIE
beck and call OF any one who wanted
TO settle an election wager? The whole
matter looked TO him ike al effort 10
throw out a drag-net TO each Is contest,
and IL not enough was caught TO cater,
what he could.
There must be, contended Captain An
derson, Il limit TO the time when ques-
ton of this sort could be opened or a
demand might be made at the last mo-
ment. MIR. Smith had had n reasonable
length OF time in which TO make his de-
mand. He had had his day In court.
and had not awaited himself OF It, on
what principle of justice or reason could
| he be allowed to throw out drag-net
to catch what he could?
NO NOTICE OF CONTEST.
Mr.. Landerkn: Has Mr.. Smith said he
| intended to contest?
Mr.. Patteson: lie has made no such in
| timaton to me.
Captain Anderson ito Mr.. Landerkin)
l have the greatest respect for your
| Judgment your motives. and your in
tegrity of purpose, but If you think that
If Mr. Smith should examine the books
and find grounds for q contest, he would
not make it. you are in your infancy.
IL contest should be made we might find
ourselves on the eve OF the election with
| the party not knowing who it's candi-
| date was. Mr.. Smith has specified no
| fraud. Should the committee permit this
| thing at this late date. particularly when
| all the evidence show that the election
was perfectly fair? If Mr.. Smith sus-
| pectcd that there was anything wrong
| IL was his duty TO himself and his
! party-if he IS a party man-to take ad-
vantage of his day in court But there
was not a vestige of a shadow that there
was anything wrong.
| In concluding Captain Anderson offered
as a substitute for Mr.. Landerkins mo.
ton a series OF resolutions denying Mr.
Smiths request. and embodying the views
he had expressed in his speech.
| HEARSAY EVIDENCE.
| Mr.. Phillips said Captain Anderson had
talked of the customs of lawyers and the
H. Aa1 to-. h..
evidence, although he knew that such ties.
timony was not taken in court. AS far
as he, the speaker. was concerned he
would be in favor Of allowing an exami.
nation of the books If 1t was the day
before the election. He was in favor OF
allowing the full light Of the MONDAY
! sun to shine upon the matter. That was
the way to protect the committee and
the party.
PUBLISH THE LIST.
Mr.. Patteson said In answer to q
question. that he saw no objection to the
books being examined. and he thought
there was a way TO get their content:
before the public.
Captain Anderson said he might bt
mistaken, but he thought Mr.. Patterson
had changed his mind two or three time.
Oh this subject.
Mr.. Patteson denied this, and hac
read a letter TO him from Mr.. Royal o.
the Richmond Times, Offering on th'
part of that paper TO publish the entir,
poll lists at cost.
MIR. Wallace: That sounds like a biz
for advertising.
Captain Anderson May l ask how tina
letter came to be written?
Mr.. Patteson: Certainly, saw an edi
I
and had a conference with Mr.. Royal
regarding il.
Captain Hall said he thought there wa
an intimat!on Of fraud In Mr.. Smith
letter, and that he ought TO appear befor
the committee and make ii specific.
Mr.. Phillips contended that there wa
not the slightest intimation OF fraud Il
the letter. Mr.. Bradley said he had n
objection to the poll-books being ex
amined but they would prove nothing.
SAW NO OBJECTION.
Mr.. Patteson explained again that h
had not changed his mind, as Captain An
derson had seemed to think. He coul
see no reason why the books should no
be examined. He was, Of course. oppose
to allowing a contest.
Captain Anderson: Did not rea
my resolution to you. and did you no
approve them!
Mr.. Patteson: Only so far as to sa
that they would bring the matter pro
perly before the committee. i did no
say how / would vote.
Captain Anderson: Then ! misunder
stood you.
Mr.. Peasants supported Captain Ander
sons substitute In short but vigorou
speech. He believed the election wa
perfectly honest. but it would be
marvel II an examination did not shoy
irregularities. Then there would be
contest.
MAY EXAMINE THEM.
The Anderson substitute was lost, On
Captain Hall offered as substitute 10
the Landerkin motion that 'the chair
man appoint subcommittee OF five. VIII
shall conduct any investigation or exami
nation Of poll-books requested by an
candidate, and the subcommittee sha
sit on Monday at II o'clock noon, Ma
18th, at headquarters, and the candidate
or candidates, appear before them In pei
! som and the committee OF investigate
shall have such poll-books before ther
as the evidence produced shall necessi
tate. and as they shall deem mt an
proper This committee expresses its be
lief that the election was an eminentl
fair one in all respects. and its utmos
nj int rif