The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-30
HIS PROTEST TABLED.
the CITY COMMITTEE NAMES
sHORT UORh or Mr.. NUCkOLs.
That Gentleman Did Not Appear I'm Person
but Submitted "a Lengthy Written
Protest.

me CITY Democratic 'tHlHlA''e h't"
a meeting at $50 o'clock last night TO
consider a protest from Mr.. r. r. Muck
ola VINO claims that the delegates to
stanton from the Second precinct or
Clay Ward are illegally elected. The
meeting was of short duration, ana ~
a unanimous vote the written protest
submitted by Mr. Nuckos was laid upon
the table The communication received
from him was as follows:
THE PROTEST
Richmond Va, May >, 1890.
Marion /, Dawson. Chairman city Demo
cratic Committee:
Dear sr.-In justice 20 myself and in
behalf OF the voters registered at the
Second precinct OF Clay Ward. I'm the
city of Richmond. who were dlsfranchised
under the plan adopted by your COM
mittee | protest the legality of the cleo
ton Of the six delegates from that pre-
cinct. Ny grounds of protest are.
lst. That | offered TO vote for the only
four men representing the measure that
favored being adopted at the state Con
vention, nd under your primary plan
the Judge OF election refused my ballot.
2d. | offered to w.ite two other names
ON my ballot This was also refused
by the judge Of election.
Your plan would have forced me 10 vote
for men Who are pledged 10 give sup
port. not only 10 an un-DemocIatic, but
10 an unconstitutional and un-Smeiican
measure. The primary was fos the pur-
pose OF deciding whether Richmond's
delegation should vote for the free coin
age of silver or for the single gold stand
ard. | favored the former measure. and
refused 10 be coerced into voting for two
men 10 20 10 StauntOn 10 support
measure that 1 consider as hurtful as
it is obnoxious to the masses OF the
people.
! believe your plan TO be In defiance
of an Democratic doctrine and precedent,
and ] know whatever its objects. ii pre-
vented many OF the voters Of this pre-
cinct from casting their ballots
] am firmly convinced that this district
will be against the single gold standard,
and that these six delegates from this
precinct will in no wise affect the general
result. but / would be unworthy the
citizenship which / hold under the Con-
stitufion and laws of Virginia II l should
submit 10 having my right Of suffrage
restricted by any man or organization
Of men.
| have been told that the majority Of
yogr committee are in favor Of the free
coinage Of silver. That is a matter
witch does not concern this protest
The plan under which your committee
conducted this primary was. in my ludg-
mcni. Illegal ~ that it took from me
the right 20 vote for men Of my choice
for the positions 10 be ft!ed. I cannot
believe thai a convention OF Democrats
Will seat delegation elected, as were
these SIX delegates in the Second pre-
circt OF Clay Ward.
Much as / regret being forced 10 an
tagonlze your committee, my duty is too
plain TO admit the Sinking OF the re-
spCnslbility. II the price OF liberty is
vigilance Il would be a crime for a citi-
Zen who believes that the individual and
politica! liberty Of the citizen should
be maintained at any sacrifice. to allow
a precedent 80 subversive Of the liberty
of the voter as the committees plan
which was worked 10 the disfranchise
ment OF many OF the voters Of the Sec
ond Clay precinct TO become a precedent
without protest Very respectfully,
r. r.. NUCKOLS.
FIGHT TOO EXPENSIVE.
The following additional communication
from Mr. NuckO!s was read:
Richmond. Va. May 20. 1896
Mr NJ L. Dawson, Chairman Democratic
City Committee:
Dear ST,-hcIefTlnB 10 protest sent
10 your committee. / desire 10 say that
the protest ! sent covered the grounds
OF my objection 10 your plan. The pri-
mary was n question OF measure and not
men, and the plan shut OF a free ex-
preston Of opinion aud dsfranchised
hundreds OF voters. | cannot, however,
afford 10 stand the expense OF fighting
this protest TO It's conclusion. or course.
if this precinct was thrown out on ac-
count OF the plan, IL would have the
same effect on the vote OF the entire
city. AS 1t appears now on the face OF
the returns. to do this would not affect
the result in the district. | will there
fore not appear in person before your
committee. as IL is now too late for a
new election. Respectfully.
Il. X. NUCKOLS.
After dlsposing Of the case OF Mr.
NuckOls so summarily. the members OF
the committee from Jackson Ward were
given the floor They expressed their
great qualification at the result Of the
election In that ward, and extended
hearty thanks TO the committee for
moral and financial aid rendered. The
committee then adjourned.