The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-12

-tth, ana who wrote the report OF the
proceedings there in The Times OF the
Following day. was the nrst witness. lie
testified that the tactics OF Registrar
Syrcle on that day were very diatory.
and greatly tended 10 rctard voters. Tho
witness was put through a long cross
examination. which. however, did not
change his testimony upon any point.
H. r. Jonathan. the next witness, tes-
tincd that he was at Smithers precinct
teforc o'clock on october 2ith. When
the registrar arrived and opened the
polls. lie went inside accompanied by
Edward Cook but was ordered out.
THE DEFENCE OBJECTS.
The defence objected TO almost every
question asked jonathan. and there were
several long debates. which materially
retarded the case. Before any informa-
tiOu was distracted from this witness,
an adjournment tor dinner was taken.
The case was resumed shortly after
{ O'Clock and the examination Of Iona
than was continued. lie sworc that az
ter being ordered ont Of the booth he
asked Syrcic what his rulings would
ie about where the cEallougcrs shoIld
stand during the day and the latter
replied that ne would suit himself The
result was. the witness continued that
an Democratic chailcngcrs were allow
ed inside the booth. while 10 other par
ties. with two exceptions. were allowed
representation within.
what were Syrclc S. mcthods?' inquir-
cd Mr Wisc.
lie killed all tho time he possibly
could" replied the witness. Before he
would register anybody hc asked if any
one i'm the line had anything TO say
about it,
Continuing. Jonathan testified that
Syrclc had consumed hfty-twO minutes in
making out an appeal refusing 10 use
printed form handed him. until advised TO
DO so by Mr Montague. He further
Killed time the witness testified. by ask
ins how 10 spell words like "Hcnrico.
and making every man spell his name
The witness also testified that Syrclc
worried himself a good deal I'm regulat-
ing the line Of wouid-be voters. The wit
ness said Syrclc was so engaged on and
on all day
Jonathan then went on 10 testify that
he had been to Syrcles house on two oc-
caslons with Moss Jennings TO get the
latter registered, but the registrar was
not at home.
The witness was then crOss-cxamincd
by counsel for Syrcle. lie stated that
Moss Jennings had been TO the polls
three times on October oath. but was not
able TO get near enough to register.
But he could have gotten there said
the witness. III Mr.. Syrcle had regis
tered men like ne ought TO have done. ]
am surprised that even thirty-siX col
ored people were registered the way he
went on
WISHED TO EXCLUDE TT
Mr. Justis moved that the testimony Of
Jonathan be excluded. alleging that he
was tcstifying 10 the obstruction rather
than the rejection Of voter. Justice
Vincent refused decidedly TO rule out the
testimony. and at the same time rtbuk-
cd Mr.. Justis sharply for catcchsing the
Court. Mr. Justis being seemingly dis
posed TO put the Court through q list of
questions.
The examination OF Jonathan was then
resumed. but was much interrupted by
outbursts Of temper both on the part
Of Mr. Justis. who was conducting the
examination. and on the part of the wit
ness who manifested impatience under
particularly aggrayating questioning.
After a long cross-cXamination i'm which
the witness held his own and scored
several points. he was told to stand
aside. and Mr.. Morgan Treat was put on
the stand
lie testified that about 1 o'clock on
October 18th. he made arrangements with
IN order that he might register Moss
Jennings. on the night Of October lith.
~ pursuance of this appointment. he was
al Syrcles house. and jennings WAS
waiting near az hand to register. bur
ne dli not personally see Syrcle refuse
TO register him.
Mr.. Treat made number Of inoffoctu-
a. EFFORTS 10 give in his testimony but
very 'line ne opened his mouth "a storm
@! onJecuons were raised by tho defence
Messfs' Severidge and Justis. each trv-
"S 10 see which could talk the louder
ana longer. Their ground OF objection
VAS that 10 was no crime for Svrci. 80
break an engagement made tbroupb Ar
Treat ''i'
captain Guison contendcd that tbopeb
such broken promises might not con-
sutute a crime, yet they were eyi,tanco,
OF mind fatally bent on miscbi.f "
ana as such proper to be introduced in
evidence. Squire Vincent said that
WINE he was not clear on the point. ne
would give Syrcle the benefit of The
doubt and exclude the evidence.
EVIDENCE NOT ADMITTED.
Mr. Treat attempted to testify how he
nad been 10 Mr.. Syrcle's house twice
prior TO the 2ith 10 have Jennings regis
tered, out as Syrcle was not present on
either occasions the evidence was not
admitted.
In regard to the proceedings at Smith
CTS precinct on October 18th the law
ful registration day Mr. Treat testified
although continually interrupted by tho
defence that Syrcle was killing All Of
the time he possibly could by asking how
10 spell simple names and propounding
frivolous questions. He also testified
how Syrcle had wasted hfty-tWo minutes
preparing an appeal. Mr.. Treat described
how Syrcle rejected the blank form Of
fered him, and commenced to prepare his
reasons upon fo0lscap paper. writing as
slowly as possible ana that he only ac-
cepted the blank form upon advice Of Mr..
Montague.
After some further wrangling. principal
" between counsel for the defence and
the presiding justice. Squire Vincent n,
6:l5 adjourned the case until this morning
AZ II o'clock.