The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-14
TO STEAL THE STATE
CONTINUED from 1st page.)

whether he knew certain men in Reds
vile it was to ascertain whether the
elector was making a truthful state
ment as to where he formerly resided.
Affiant denies that there was "a pre-
concerted plan between himself and
Curtis to hinder and delay the regis
tration of voters, and affiant is inform
ed and believes that he has right to
ask any elector Offering to vote any
pertinent questions as to his residence
and age whichehave been omitted by hls
associates, as in contemplation of the
law each political party should show
an investigation of the right of any
elector to vote; he denies that he ever
cast chances or by nod, wink or sign
indicated to Curtis to ask any ques-
tions of any elector. Affiant admits
that he did tell Hampton that he was
not satisfied as to the qualification of
some of those who registered after Mr..
Holton came there and caused such
a confusion by his interference, and
he reiterates this charge and says
further THAI the appearance of Mr.
Holton upon the precinct grounds with
other strong partisans who did not
live in the said ward, but had been in
the hearing of the affant urging the
colored voters to push up and register,
had tendency and did tend to create
excitement and confusion; that at
faint has read carefully the election
law and especially sections 10, IA and
16, and has honestly and faithfully
endeavored to discharge his duty as
a registrar and emphatically disclaims
any and all intentions of so conduct
ing his Office as to hinder or delay the
~, IN, orI. that a ffIprt
has stated the facts connected with
the registration in an honest and fair
and truthful manner.
Mr. Curtis. in his statement, corrob-
GRATED Mr.. Reed, and set forth in fur
Their detail the incidents of the day
complained of, showing that the trou
ble was caused by Holton and his
henchmen. His affidavit was as fol-
lows:
MR.. CURTIS AFFIDAVIT.
Mr.. Curtis reiterated all that Mr..
Reed had said in regard to the matter
of registering electors, and added:
That no rioters, who were otherwise
qualified have been prevented from
registering in atlantis ward, and the
affidavit of said Pleasant Webster
shows on it's face that he is a resident
Oh Md1d, anu tlldD OhC AN6
trars prevented from registration, as
stated in the affidavit, are residents of
the Fourth ward. That affiant knows
said Pleasant Webster, and knows that
he is man of bad reputation and
character.
That affiant denies that any such
time as an hour was consumed by the
registrars in registering any elector, as
alleged in A. Il. Holton's affidavit on
information. That affiant endeayored
to discharge his duty, and when an
elector was presented for registration
he asked him such questions as per-
tanned to his residence, age, and that
no foolish or silly questions We're ask
ed for the purpose of delay, and the
question as to poor land in Prince Ed
wards was not asked, but was merely
an assertion of affiant while the affiant
was recording the last question as to
where the elector came from. That
affiant did ask one elector who pre-
sented himself if he voted in the last
election, and the elector replied that
the wind blew his name off the book,
and affiant asked him if he found it.
He said No. Affiant did not know
what the elector meant, but supposed
that his name had been erased from
the TEgfStTdllOn DOOh III cOiliC luSb
cause, but this elector was allowed
to register. That affiant did keep his
book closed because his register has
an alphabetical index, and when
name was recorded he placed a blot
ter on the name, and closed the book
to prevent blotches. That many Of the
electors do not have the same name.
That when questions were asked as to
residence, streets and numbers, as to
whether the elector has listed his
taxes, it was done to ascertain the
street and number of house from which
the elector came, and where he lived
and how long he had been In the
county and State. That the confusion
and noise in and around the registrars
might at times have necessitated affiant
or his associates to ask the different
questions more than once. That affiant
heard Mr.. Holton ask the white electors,
examined by him, several ques-
tions more than once; that
affiant was requested by A. e.
Holton to make no entry on
his book except as to name, age and
residence. Affiant stated to Mr.. Holton
that the book given to him indicated
other entries should be made, and that
he would follow the book. Mr.. Holton
did request that Hampton, the Repub-
lican registrar, should take the book,
but affiant did not obey this request
because Mr.. Hampton had been tender
ed the book on the first day of regis
tration, and declined and because
affiant did not recognize the right
of Mr. Holton, or any other elector, to
dictate what part of the duty should
be performed by affiant.
That some questions were asked cleo
tors about houses, and how many
rooms the houses had, and what num-
bers were on the doors, but this was
in one case only, and was done be-
cause the elector then presenting him
self for registration had given the ex-
act number and street that had been
previously given by a former elector
who had been registered. The affiant
further asked this elector who lived
in the house with him?
Affiant further swears that no CON
test or any point was raised or has
been raised during the three registra-
H.