The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-24


the bills This was nothing less than
n personal encounter between Mr. p. NJ.
Lett who represents Mr.. W. A. Post, and
llr. A. \. Moss, the present Mayor OF
Newport News.
HOW 1T HAPPENED.
Court had just taken a recess for din
ner. the crowd. among which were sew
eral ladies' had not left the room, and
Judge Barham was still on the bench,
when Mr Moss went up to Mr. Lett
who had just finished his speech. and
said 10 him that II he asserted certain
statements made by him in the course OF
his speech TO be facts he was liar
Mr.. Lett promptly resented this remark
by blow and for a short while the Two
men were considerably mixed mp TO-
gether.
Thev were separated. however. before
any blood had been drawn. aud brought
before judge Barham. who delivered
short but severe lecture upon the inn
propricty Of such conduct in the court
room lie then told the combatahts
that they We're az liberty 10 make such
explanation as they could before he took
action in the matter.
MAYOR MOSS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Moss. addressing the Court, said
that he had understood Mr.. Lett 20 charge
him with c0uniying az the unlawful dis
pensati0n of liquor the night prior 70
election. and also with being mixed up
with the fraudulent conduct OF the eiec-
| ton Being possessed with this ideh'
le had charged Ar Lett with ialseho0d.
Nr Lett said that Mr. Moss attack
D. roll
prise. That ho was shaking hands with
judge Brooke when Mr. Moss addressed
him. That Dee had said he had not in-
| tended any such imputati0n upon Mr..
Moss character. but the latter had paid
no attention 90 bis disclaimer, saying
81 mean what I said"
MIR. LETT OBDURATE-
When Mr.. Lett finished his disclaimer
| Mr.. Moss started 90 say that if Mr Lett
would publicly disclaim that he meant
! any reflection upon him DE would be sat
/ isded. when Mr. Lett interrupted him 10y
! saying that he stood by everything he
| bad said in his address To the Court. anc
would Doe responsible Tor all be said
MR. NEWTON TAKES \ HAND.
While Judge Barham was considering
| tie proper course tc pursue in the matter.
Commonwealth Attorney J. *. NJ. New
ion rose and asked fhat the two gentle
/ men pe uut under bond 60 keep tine peace.
! This request was endorsed hy Judge
! Brooke as the proper course. Judge
! Barham acceedcd 20 this. and each one
! WAS put under a $500 bond for six months.
/ Ncssrs. r. e.. B0yku and r. O.. Blcluori
| becoming Mr. Lofts surety while Mr.
! j.. g.. Saunders went ou Mr.. Moss bond.
This concluded the matter and the Court
| went 10 dinner.
The affair created a profound sensation.
and many people do not hesitate 10 az
| firm chat Sir. Moss greatly Injured his
| case hy bis attack ON MN Lett
THE DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
| When Court convened at 9.O this morn
ing Mr. Is. ~. Lctt opened the argument
| ON behalf OF Mr. Post
Alr. Lett began hi5 speech 10y am expo
sltion Of the rights of voters under the
! Walton law. Ilo then took mp the law
as changed hy the last Legislature. the
only change being. he said, that one
of tho Judges of election was designated
to assist the voters instead of a constd-
bic. with thc further provision that the
Judge so appointed shall not enter the
voting booths unless specially requested
bv the voter. ln addition to this. he
said. ths Jaw specifically provides that
reurasentativcs of each political party
shall ue admitted 10 witness the count
of the vote.
THE ELECTION.
Afr. Lett then proceeded 20 discuss
tho election OF May 2sth. I'VE do not
contend. Your Honor bee said. "that
uo election was held. We admit that
an election was held. hut we contend
| tlat your Honor cannot tell what the re-
turns We're. for two rcasons-irreg gulari-
tics and fraud. We say that the ir-
re.nilritics over there We're sufficient Cd
iuyalddts The election and combining
tine Irregularities and fraud. $50 claim that
there was perfect ahsardIty ana nc
| election at all.'
| Mr.. Lett then reverted 10 the agree
| ment made between Nalutoastle anC
Wyatt ROane. that representatives OF tho
various political parties should not De
| admitted. and the various huneiins rea
| sons given hy MOmtcasue iwhy thi.
! agreement was made. MOuntcastle's iina
reason was that the Judges deemed i
best that they should not be admit
ted Mr. Lett claimed that some sin
lister design was hidden under this rca
SON.
The speaker then called attention 10 the
testimony of Ia. Johnson. who statee
| that AlountcastIe said TO him. Mr.. Mos.
|
iudge." Mr Lett connected this state
ment OF Mountcastle with his refusal [,
allow any one In the voungplace whil'
the ballots were being counted, and claim
ed that fraud was conclusiyely provel
thereby
THE BEER-DRINK1NG.
The speaker then took up the beer
drinking I'm Mountcastles' back yar
| on the night prior 10 the election. II
violation of the law. which says DO
liquor shall be sold or given away bee
tween sunset on the night before elec
tion ana sunrise succeeding IL, the maxi
mum punishment for a violation OF
being $1,000 fine and one year in jail.
Mr.. Lett called attention % the fac
that MIR. Moss was present al the beer
drinking. and declared hat he was JUS
as guilty OF violating the law as Mount
castle There he was he said. 'han,
and glove with Moss whom he had de-
clared he would elect next day" air Let
claimed that the conclusion from thi
confederation OF circumstances was ir
J resistible Mr.. Lett then went on TO spea
| OF the events of election day. showing no,
the polls were not opened until all IN
men who worked al the dry-dock and Goa
/ piers had gone 10 their daily task, aftc
waiting for some time around the yot
ing-place He claimed that Mountcastl
was afraid 20 allow these men 10 vote.
MOUNTCASTLES ACTIVITY
The next point made by Mr.. Lett wa
the fact that MOuntcasue was al
day going into the polling booths unre
| quested, although the law on the suDJec
had been read 20 him. ana there wer
| loud remous.raurts against his conduct