Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-01-25

taken, which was agreed to by Mr..
Purnell.
During recess DR. w. ID. Straughn
was telegraphed for, who it was alleged
had served the notice OF contest on
Mr.. Purnell. There being no after
noon train, DIR. Straughn had to drive
to Berlin, which he did, arriving at
$50 o'clock. he case was again
taken up and DR. Straughn put on the
stand. He testified that he had re-
ceivcd paper, and at the request OF
other parties, had served il on Francis
Henry Purnell at Annapolis, on Jan
uary 9th; that he had never read the
paper closely, but knew it was notice
that testimony would be taken in his
case; that he had never seen the paper
since that he could not swear posi-
lively that this was identically the
same notice. but that he believed ii
was the same. Failing to prove by
DIR. Straughn that the notice in court
upon which the contest is based, was
the identical one served on Mr. Pur-
nell by him in Annapolis, a. 7.
Barnes, Esq, was called TO testify in
the case. Mr.. Barnes testified that he
had given the notice to DIR. Straughn
for service; that DIR. Straughn had re-
turned it to him, that he Barnes had
given ii to the Justice, Mr.. Charles f.
Parker. and that he parker had
changed part of Witness name
after the mandamus had been granted
by the court and an order passed by
the court, to let Mr.. Purnell have the
notice or furnish him true copy Of
the proceedings. Mr.. Purnell pro-
tested against the proof of service and
il being late, darkness compelled adj
journment till the following morning,
at 8 o'clock.
On Thursday morning the case was
taken up at the appointed hour Mr..
Wilson arose and said: for reasons best
known to ourselves, we request in
writing TO withdraw the notice and
further proceedings in this cause under
the notice which has thus far occupied
your time.
Mr. Purnell-I object to the with
drawal of any papers in this cause.
As | understand it, have as much
interest in them as anyone. They are
all evidence and should all 90 up with
this case to the committe on elections
Mr. Wilson will strike out the
word withdraw, etc, and substitute
"quash the proceedings"
Mr. Purnell-I have no objection
to this
Mr. Wilson then served a notice on
Mr.. Purnell that testimony would be
taken against him in this town on
Monday, February 10th, next and left
Il duplicate copy of the notice served,
with him.
Thus ended the taking Of testimony
in the premises and closed the pro,
ceedings until the new trial begins.
Probably no case has ever been
tried in this county in which the PEG.
pie were more interested than they
are in the contested election cases
agains. the present county and State
officials, and rome, we feel sure, was
ever more groundless. There was not
man on the Democratic ticket who
did not receive over Il hundred or
more votes than his Republican contes-
tant. and for the defeated Republican
candidates To run their Democratic
opponents, the elected officials of this
county, to the expense of successive
trials in an outrage. True there is no
hope Of Justice before Republican
legislature, rs has been evidenced by
the election of Mr.. Wellington Of the
Western Shore to the Eastern Shore
Senatorship. and the violation Of their
oaths in ignoring law on the statute
books of this State. But there will be
Il time Of reckoning and that time will
come when these Republicans and
their friends come before the people
again. if they ever do. The people
are tired of such and they will not
submit to outrageous proceedings a
gainst honest men Many Of the wit
nesses in these cases are poor, hard.
working farmers and ignorant negroes
and they cannot afford to spend their
time and money in attending trials,
the purpose Of which is 10 defeat US
tice. Just how 10 do this the contes-
tants know not. They are afraid Of
their acts. they refuse to allow their
Democratic friends to see the proceed
ings against them, court compells
them to produce the papers and then
these are changed, even after court
grants a mandamus for them, and for
such violations OF right the proceedings
are stopped. We believe the honest
thinking people of Worcester will re-
sent such proceedings when the proper
time comes.