The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-14


October Bird could not have been regis
tered if they had been qualified in the
time prescribed by law, because it was
$50 o'clock the first day before the
books were opened, and because of the
confusion and the crowding upon the
registrars, as before stated.
Affiant alleges that the electors OF
that ward seemed determined to all
register the first and second days.
Affiant repeatedly told the crowd that
every one should register who was
entitled to register, and that there
was plenty of time TO register every
man in the ward entitled to register.
That according to the best 1nforma-
ton that affiant now has there cannot
be in excess of twenty-five or thirty
TO register in said ward. Affiant admits
that two hundred people or more were
present on the first day to register and
on the second day of registration. That
q. LARGE portion were negroes and many
of them did not live in said ward, and
all were demanded to be registered
who lived in that ward on those two
DAYS. That on the first and second regis
tration days a number OF strong whlte
and negro Republican partisans from
different parts of the county were there
moving among the colored people, and
affiant is informed, believes and al
leges. we're urging the electors to
press up and register, but atfiant denies
two hundred electors could have yeen
properlv registered, either ON the first
or the second registration day, because
of the circumstances heretofore stated.
That such questions asked electors,
as to enlisting taxes, location of resi-
lNat~ Of hnI1cR nT
street, where the applicant came from,
and when he became resident of the
ward, county and town, were asked,
but it was done for the purpose of as
certaining the right of the elector to
register and vote, and not for the pur-
pose of hindering and delaying regis
tration, as alleged.
That no elector, presenting himself
for registration, was told by affiant or
Reed that it was misdemeanor not to
list his taxes. Affiant swears that the
registration ON October 10th was pro-
ceeded with in an orderly and quiet
manner, because the registrars had re-
quested further help from the sheriff,
and were given two officers instead
of one as before, and for the further
reason that a passage way had been
roped off, and the crowd was not so
large and the electors from the other
precincts in the county were not
present to create confusion, and affiant
swears that if there had been a pas
sage way and sufficient officers on the
first day, in his opinion, there would
have been no disturbance and con-
fusion and on the second day, if Jno. c.
Stewart had not, under protest from
the registrars, entered from the exit
and caused, by his act and boisterous
conduct. the crowd to break down the
rope and crowd around the registrars,
there would have been no trouble, for
affiant alleges UP to that time, while
the crowd was large, everything was
progressing in quiet and orderly
manner. That after this passage way
had been horn down, and Mr.. Holton
came upon the ground the crowd grew
more boisterous, number OF RepuD-
leans from other wards We're present
and the affiant alleges, melted the
colored voters to press up and register,
and his appearance and these circum-
stances increased the confusion and
disturbance. Affiant swears that he
has read carefully that part of the
election law pertaining to his duties
as registrar, and especially section Z,
o. 1bs IT. anu 10, anu nS l<bo CllbCdf vi VI
to faithfully, impartially and honestly
discharge his duty as registrar. He,
denies most emphatically that he has
attempted, by word or act or deed, 10
hinder or delay the registration of any
voter in his ward.
That he has endeavored to discharge
his duty as he understands the law
to be, without fear or influence from
any one.
OTHER AFFIDAVITS.
The afffdavits of fourteen other
prominent citizens of Forsyth county,
of all political PARTIES, and who were
present when the trouble occurred,
was also read corroborating the de-
PENDANTS in every particular. il. ID.
Lambeth, prominent Republican in
the Fifth ward of Winston, told how
Stewart had caused the trouble, and
Holton had aggravated it. He said that
he was about the place of registra-
ton all day, and he believed the regis
trars tried to do their duty faithfully
and honestly; that they were both gen
tlemen of the highest character and so
regarded 10y all who knew them. He
said he heard no improper questions
asked by either of them.
Section Master III. w. Stanford, of the
Southern Railway, made practically the
same statement. He said he heard no
improper questions asked, and all the
delay while he was present was caused
by negroes and white Republicans
crowding too near the registrars desk.
He says that Hampton, the Republican
registrar who was that day acting as
clerk, did not register applicants as
rapidly as Curtis and Reed. Said both
the defendants were of good character.
DIR. lei. ". Horton, a dentist, heard
number of electors examined by the
registrars, and in no instance was I'M
necessary time taken up or improper
questions asked. He was at the place
of registration for two hours, and said
that the trouble was caused by Stewart,
white Republican. That after Stew
art had been allowed to register, the
negroes took practical possession of the
place. Many white men had to go away
without registering. He said further
that he had been present on subsc-