Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-31


previous 10 rcgistration-day. az required
by law He. however, acknowledged that
he didn't know that they had not been
posted
HE PROVED a SURPRISE.
Isaac Walton. a gingcr-brown negro,
was examined and his testimony was just
the reverse Of what the plaintiff's counsel
had expected be would give He said he
was the Republican challenger at Shoe
makers Precinct, that he got there az
sunrise and remained all day except,
about forty minutes. when he went TO the
city Hall, that about FIVE minutes 10 >
O'Clock in the afternoon Mr.. Beverdge
took from his pocket a list Of purged
voters, and read 80. and that Mr.. Beve-
ridge sworc the witnesses, who testified
TO the disqualification OF those on the
list. He afterwards said when IT was
shown 10 him that his testimony had been
Injurious 10 the cause which he espoused
that Mr.. Beveriise had not read the
list Of voters
Mr. Royal produced the registration
book from which the names had been
purgod and attempted 10 show that the
negroes whose names had been stricken
therefrom We're legal voters at that pre-
cinct. He called name after name and
got answers TO two out Of about one hum
dred called. He finally gave up in disgust
and rested his case. whereupOn court took
a recess for thirty minutes.
THE LISTS PUT UP.
At o'clock court reconvened. and the
witnesses for the defence were examined.
Mr. Robert w. Jones. a well-known
young man. was the first witness called.
lie testified that he was one OF the five
gentlemen who signed the list Of purged
voters. that the quintette met at the
strect-car stables. on the 7th Of October;
that Mr.. Maurice Ferriter had the list.
and all five signed ~ after reading IT, lie
said they went together and posted the
lsts-One az the precinct, one at the cor
ner OF Washington and Ashland streets,
and one at the corner Of Washington and
Blair streets; that the lists were pro-
perly nailed up. and that the gentleman
keeping a store az the corner Of Wash
ingtOn and Ashland streets promised at
their request. to see that no one tampered
with the list
Mr. Petus. the registrar. was the next
witness. and he made "a good one. Messrs.
Royal and Allan attempted in every
manner possible to throw him of his
guard. but he was equal TO every emer-
gency and invariably gave them a Row
land for their Oliver. Mr. Pettis testi-
I'm the daytime, a Mr.. Otto Hottis and
Mr. Maurice Ferriter came 20 his house
and took from his registration book a
list Of negroes. who they said. were i'm
properly on the book. some Of them
having died. moved away from the pre-
cinct. or been disqualified. The gentle
men told him they purposed publishing
a purged list. and afterwards Informed
the registrar that they had done so. The
next morning after breakfast he went
by the corner OF Washington and Ash
land streets and saw a list Of purged
voters posted up
HOW THEY WERE TAKEN OFF.
Mr. Maurice Ferriter, the registrar said,
handed him a copy Of the list Of persons
whom they claimed were improperly on
the registration book on the 2ith of Oc-
tober-registrat this list was
signed by the five gentlemen mentioned,
whom he knew TO be qualified voters in
his precinct This list he handed TO Mr.
Beverdge about a quarter to 4 o'clock
and that gentleman read every name
thereon and returned the list to him. Mr..
Beverage then said il was necessary to
introduce witnesses to prove that the
voters named on the list were improperly
on the book. and this was done. the wit
nesses being sworn.
Mr.. Pettis was interrupted at this juno
ture by Mr. Allan. who asked the nature
of the oath administered the witnesses.
and he replied that IL was as follows:
you. and each Of you. solemniy swear
That the evidence You shall give in re-.
gard 10 the disqualification of each and
every person on this list Of purged voters
shall be the truth. the whole truth and
nothing but the truth; so help you Goo"
Witness testified further that he then
read the names on the purged list TO
each of the witnesses. and questioned
them himself as TO the facts in the case.
He then asked II there We're any wit
nesses for the other side. and. none ap-
pearing. he then announced that ne was
satisfied from the evidence that the per-
sons on the purged list were disqualified.
and that he would strike them off his
books. but that each and every voter
had the right of appeal. in which he
would be glad 20 assist them
Immediately upon closing the polls the
registrar said he was approached by
Isaac Walton. who asked him when ne
would put up the list OF purged voters.
He told him as soon as he could get the
three lists made up. He then requested
Alr. Beveridge Mr.. Hottis and Mr. Fer
ritter 10 assist him. and these gentlemen
retired 10 a room. made out the lists. and
handed them TO him. and he and Mr. Hot
tis went TO the three places named and
posted them.
VERDICT FOR THE REGISTRAR
Mr.. Allan asked permission to submit
some instructions to the jury, but the
Court thought # unnecessary 10 DO ST.
and ruled that the issue as already sub
mtted to the jury was sufficient. Mr..
Allan withdrew his request. and the judge
read the issue over 10 the Jury
adding that it was grave thing to take
the suffrdges of men from them on the
testimony Of men who only believed that
they We're disqualified. and that 10 was fer
the jury to determine whether or not the
testimony afduced before fre registrar
was sufficient to justify his actions.
The jury retired o. their room, and
about o'clock. returned the following
verdict:
owe. the jury, find in the issue joined
'1 That the FIVE qualified voters men
toned did comply with the law as set out
I'm the first issue.
q That the registrar George W.
Pettis did hear the testimony. post the
list. and do all The acts and other re-
luirements mentioned in the second issue.
90. That the action Of the said regis
rar was not I'm pursuance OF any cor
-upt or unlawful Performance, but was
egal.
TOO LATE TO SET ASIDE.
Mr.. Royal moved to set the verdict
aside, as contrary TO the law and evil
leuce. Judge Wexford said in substance
that IL would do the prosecution no good
10 set IL aside az they hadn't sufficient
time before the election 10 accomplish
anything. He incidentally discussed the
sanctity of the ballot. and what he be
ieved 10 be defects in the existing laws.
Mr Royal gave notice that he would
prepare bills Of exceptions. on which to
take the case TO the Supreme Court.