The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-15
Not Proven That SyrCle Has Been Legal
ly Qualified as Registrar.
PRACTICALLY A VERDICT OF GUILT.
The Holly Contested Case Concluded Yes
terday Afternoon-Abiea and Exhaus-
tive Arguments ON Either Side
Justice yincent's Decision.


was concluded shortly after o'clock yes
terday afternoon, when the warrant was
dismissed upon a sheer technlcaiity'
The language Of Justice Vincent in rem
dering his decision practically admitted
that Syrcle was guilty as charged pht
that his guilt had not been proven. The
decision of the Justice was as follows
JUSTICE vINCENT'S DECISION.
81 have given this case the most earn
est and careful attention, and all the
facts in connection with it are firmly TX
cd in my memory, which ordinarily Is
not very good. | want 10 say that TINS
has been one of the most disagreeaple
cases that | have tried in my expert
ence Of seventeen years.
"I believe that the majority OF the
National Democrats and Republicans
think the registrar should be Dunisheu
because he is in sympathy with the
silver party, and that the Democrats
think he should be acquitted, no matter
what may be proved against him. For
myself, l am perfectly neutral in the
matter, and the question with me Is
not one Of party.
do not think it necessary for him to say
I'm plan language, L will not register
you. lie may, by his actions reject rim
in a thousand different ways. The right
TO register is a precious one, and Is pre-
liminary TO exercising the divine right
Of citizenship, i'm which every one should
be protected. The registration laws re-
quire that every registrar shall obey the
Constitution of the United States.
In deciding this case, l shall do so
without reference to the social standing
or position of this registrar. That has
nothing TO do with the case. The whole
matter, 10 my mind, hinges upon one
legal point. II is this: There has been
no testimony at any stage Of these pro-
ceedings 10 show that Mr.. Syrcle has
ever legally qualified as 4 registrar.
That being the case the warrant Is dis
missed"
The closing proceedings in the much
vexed case began promptly at 10 o'clock
yesterday morning IN the little room
back Of the clerks office. Mr. Hm
Montague made the initial move by mov-
ing that all evidence relating 10 October
2lth DO excluded on the ground that the
time was the essence of the offence. and
the warrant upon which the PROCEEDINGS
We're based expressly specified October 9th
ana 'th as the dates upon which the Of
fences charged had been committed.
captain Guison replied to Mr.. Monta-
que IN earnest support Of the nroprietv
on admitting all testimony calculated 10
sno" the animus Of the registrar.
Mr. Justis rejolned in advocacy Of Mr..
Mohtasues position, after which the
court ilicd that it had been i'm error in
ever admitting testimony pertaining TO
Il
ne therefore excluded all evidence re-
iating TO that day.
THE ARGUMENT OPENED.
ms matter having been settled. much
10 the satisfaction OF counsel for the
defence. argument i'm the case was onen-
ca by Mr.. Barton Wise. Mr.. Wise made
q powerful and earnest plea for purity
IN elections in Virginia. lie said that
unfortunately men who We're upright and
honest IN other matters. and whose prob
ity was unquestioncd. were prone TO
Wink al election frauds. and 10 make
them subject for jcsts and laughter.
Inc latter crimes he said. "are far
more destructive % the interests OF the
southern people, and they give excuses
TO residents Of northern States to hold
us up as examples of violators of the
law ana nuilliers OF the rights OF suf-
frage. These things recou upon us in
the shape OF f0rce-bill legl lation."
In this connection Mr.. Wise took oc-
casion to pay high tribune to Captain
John Lamb, VINO was be said an hon
oraDle, high-toned man that would not
countenance such proceedings. and would
stop them were il fin his power. but
things had now gone so far that no cam
didate had the power TO control his un-
prlncpled supporters. These frauds in
election. Mr.. Wise continued had done
more TO degrade the people Of the South
and to deter capital from coming here fot
investment than any other form Of GRIM
inalty.
After these preliminary remarks. Mr..
Wise took mp the evidence alduced in the
case on trial, In so far as IL related TO the
events Of October 9Th and 7th On the
9Th he said. Mr.. Syrclo had failed 10
register Moss Jennings and others on
the ground that he was not exactly
qualified"
"Whcu they returned on the night Of
the 0th, according 10 agreement" con-
tlnued Mr. Wise. they were told by Mr..
Syrcle that he was an ready 10 register
them. but could not do so because he had
no blank forms for them 10 take the
oath. Now. / submit that blanks were
In no way necessary 20 this. The law
used. and a few minutes would have suf-
feed to write the few lines necessary"
Mr.. Wise then dwelt upon the provision
I'm the cicctiOn-iaw Of the State which
makes IL obligatory upon the registrar
10 register qualified voters al ANY time
prior TO election day. He closed his adj
mlrable appeal by pointing out 10 the
presiding magistrate the plain duty which
the law imposed upon Kim in the settle-
ment OF the case.
Mr. Justis. for the defence was the
next speaker. lie replied 70 aIr Wise's
reference 70 the frauds IN virginia. by
saying that he did not deng the existence
OF frauds In this State. but that It was
just as bad IN northern States Mr.
Justis, after asserting that other parties
had been equally as fraudulent IN the
late election as the silver party. and that
the present prosecution had been put on
foot by Republican TO swear as basis
for contestng seats. Mr.. Justls got down
10 the case In point. which. he contended.
had narrowed down TO two questions:
Whether Syrcle had ever been duly quail
/ ihed, and what constituted wlful rejec-
tion.
SYRCLE'S CERTIFICATE.
Mr.. Justis wished TO put In evidence
Syrcle's certificate OF qualification n
sustain the contention that syrcle had
qualified on the 9Th OF October Objec-
ton was raised to the Introduction ri
testimony after the case had closed. but
the certificate was examined bv the Jus
tice and counsel on either side withou,
being considered as in evidence The
data of qualification was left blank I'm the
certificate and the defence az once saw
their opportunity. and seized IL.
Mr.. Justls declared that no evidence