The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-14
his construction Of the election law VI
the State should any questions ati9''
ApDIT1QNAL, QUESTIONS.

case Mr.. Montague did not know now
much time was occupied in it's prepara-
tion. As to the blank filled up in pencil
by Mr. Treat. Mr.. Montague said ne
had given II as his opinion that It was
the duty OF the registrar TO put IN writ
ing his own reasons. He told Mr.. Syr-
clio however. that there was no objection
TO his using a printed form.
In regard TO the charge that Mr.. Syrcle
had written as slowly az possible in
making out the appeal Mr.. Montague
said that Mr. Syrcles handwriting show
ed him TO be unfamiliar with a pen. and
while he could not say whether Mr.. Syr-
Gle had purposely written slowly, yet
he did know that the registrar was by no
means an expert penman.
In regard 10 the testimony OF several
witnesses that he had asked a great many
questions on registration day. Mr.. Mon
tague said that he confined himself
strictly TO giving his opinion upon legal
questions. and that the time thus con-
sumed was but small fraction of the
day. He denied that he was there IN
tho capacity of a challenger. or that he
had made any endeavOr To delay registra-
tion. He was sure that the law had not
been violated unless il had been done
by the registrar consuming more time
nothing as TO the bona fides Of Mr. Syr-
Gle. never having met him before.
Mr. Montague said that there were five
or six persons who a kcd questions. and
one of them. who seemed to have made
a canvass. had a small book. i'm which
he looked up the names Of the colored
applicants The witness admitted that
there were persons inside the booth at
times that should not have been allowed
there
At this point in Mr. Montague's testi-
mcny "a recess was taken until 4 o'clock.
The trial was resumed promptly at
the hour indicated. and Mr.. Montague
continued his testimony. He said that II
anything done al Smithers precinct was
malicious I'm it's intent. he did not know
Of H. He WIS crOss-eXaminod by Captain
Gucon I'm regard to his testimony to the
effect that Syrcle was not able 10 write
rapidlv. Captain Gulgon asked the wit
ness whether he knew what Syrcle's oc-
crpaticn was Mr. Montague replied that
no did not. but his hand writing showed
him TO be unfamiliar with clerical work.
CAPTAIN Guig0n. regarding the Ben
Daniel apueal. inquired OF Mr.. Montague
whether il had been the duty of the regis
trar TO facilitate the preparation OF that
appeal I'm every way possible 10y the use
Of prirted form. or in any other man
nor Strong objection was raised 10 this
question. and il was Withdrawn. MT
Montague was allowed TO TESTIFY. how
ever that the use of the printed form
would have greatly facilitated and eX-
pedited the work. lie said. however. that
ne did think that Mr.. Syrcle should not
have used the statement which had been
made out by any active partisan.
it'.t'tr .t,.t, /, -
Mr. Montague was next a4hed Wnelhet
Svrcle had not declined 10 read the
statement prepared by Mr.. Treat perore
rejecting II.
olai,ing that it had nothing whatever
tc do with the case. -.
cantain Guigon contended that the
question was perfectly proper ,and eN-
ceedinglv pertinent and tending to sho"
the motive Of the registrar.
MAN WITH THE BOON
Justice Vincent decided 10 allow tns
question. whereuron Mr. Montague sai1
+bst he aid not know whether SNrcle Ieau
,to nanar or not. I'm regard TO the niue
h1lt, containing the names Of the colored
,nplicants which Mr.. Montague had Us
ti6ed WAS in the hands of one OF ,h.
.bollcncers. the witness admitted lna'
t-, hook WAS entirely unofficial lie salo
b. did not remember that TINS man H"'
boon appealed TO as 10 the rishl Oh any
ono 10 register. The man Win tne po.N DO. -
f1 orita frequently challenged
n' ,, matter of fact. he said. a very
t,rge nrop0rtion of the colored apphean''
were challenged -. o,irio,
,.,t much OF the delay was caused o.
tho ignorance of the applicants them
ss,,.oe THE registration. he said. was
a., eo,,. instances. not conducted viii
Tho decorum and orderliness whici
sbould have prevailed, but he dId no
tbinl< svrcle was responsible for the dis
order.
MIR Montague. was the registration
conducted promptly" asked Captain Gui
gon.
This question was rather evaded b.
/ Mr.. Montague. who said that he coul
not tell lust how much time could prop
porlv be allowed TO the settlement o
legal question. alterations. etc In re
card 10 the time required 10 register
voter. the witness seemed TO think tha
nvc minutes and probably less would b
| sufficient TO register q man under ordl
nary circumstances.
4 PERFECT BOMB-SHELL.
II ask you as fair-minded man and
| lawyer. I'm whose honesty and conserva
| tsm have every confidence" said Cap
| tain Guieon. "tc tell me whether dilator,
! tactics were or were not pursued o
allowed by the registrar at Smithcr'
precinct ON clection-day.'
ltr. MONTAGUE would not answer thi
question NO ana down. but said that h
did not consider himself competent 4
PASS uoon what constituted 1ilatory tao
tics The witness was most grievousll
troubled by this sIcdge-hammer blow
and found much difficulty I'm repressin'
the innate truthfIlness and integrity
which prompted him TO answer that Their
had been diatory tactics. He replied
| 10 the question mt great length and Will
much circumlocutiOn and in doing 50
practically admitted that there was no
| that dispatch in the conduct OF the bust
ness which should have been observed.
The Ben. Daniels appeal again cam
up. and the appeal Itself was put IN evi
| dence. Mr. Wise asked Mr.. Montasu
whether Mr. Syrcle had not taken NJ
| m ore time than was necessary in pre-
| pairing the very short paper.
Well" said Mr.. Montague. "1 thinl
| he might have clipped OFF z few moment
| IL ne had been so disposed"
| This concluded Mr. Montague's eyami
| nation. He left the stand. and tho de
| fence rested their ease An adjournmen
was then taken until this morning at ]
| o'clock. when argument will begin
|