The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-19
THEE's FIGHT FOR OFFICE.
His Contest of Justice Wickhnn's
Election in the First District.

Several witnesses in W. F. Thees con-
test for justice of the peace of the FRS;
district were examined yesterday at the
court room of Justice G. r. Bevaus, eN-
oficio magistrate of the district.
The witnesses that testified had been
summoned for Thee. They were Henly
Garwes, J. B. Harvey, Thee himself anu
Policemen Mock and farrell The hear
ing began at II O'Clock ana lasted until
about noon, when, it being claimed tina,
important witnesses were not present. 1t
was continued until 10 o'clock this morn
ing
The general testimony taken in afii-
davits by Justice Bevans seems TO indl-
cate that the truth or falsity of the clam
of Garwes being a freeholder Is the point
upon which the Justice of the contest viii
turn. Ii is claimed by some that because
Garwes has given deeds on his proper
to cover debt, the tide does not remain
in him. Whether this is true or not IS
point of law over which there is some dis
agreement.
The public is familiar with the story OF
the election for justice of the First dis
trict on Jan. p w. +. Thee opposed the
incumbent, Justice Richard Wickham, in
the race.
By mutual agreement the candidates Sc
lect the board of freeholder managers OF
the election. Henry Garwes was accepted
on the afternoon preceding the dag of the
election as Thee's representative on the
board by Justice Wickham, but when he
showed up the next morning he found
another had been put in his place. IhIs
other manager was w. f. Corbett, who,
Thee says, is a friend of Justice Wick
ham.
Being thus without representation ON
the board, Thee withdrew from the ight,
He farther alleged that intimidation mad
been used and that votes cast for him
had, instead of finding their way into the
ballot box, been thrown under the table.
In his testimony, Thee said that, when he
and Garwes presented themselves at Jus
tice Wickham's office, which is the poll
ing place, early on the morning OF the
election, they were met at the door by Con-
stable Dan Kiley with a club. He told
them, said Thee, that it was bread and
meat to him and the incumbent justice to
hold the office and that they, using an
epithet, could not come in.
The deponent was asked if he had not
told Justice Samuel Reynolds that he and
a crowd were going down early in the
morning to capture the polls. To this
question he replied that he had never tod
any one such a thing.
Garwes' testimony was essentially the
same as Thee's.
]. b. Harvey testified that one of the
managers, he could not tell which unless
he should see them again, had thrown his
ballot under the table after he passed IT
through the window Harvey further said
that when he insisted on the ballot being
deposited in the box, he was told if he
didn't get away from there pretty quick
they would have him arrested
Officer Mock had been summoned to cor
roborate Harvey's testimony, but this he
could not do, as he said he was not stand
ing in such position az the time to admit
of his seeing the occurrence.
Officer farrell stated that he didn't know
anything about the matter, but that ne
had heard Officer Mock say that he had
seen the ballot thrown away. To this Of
ficer Mock replied that he had never made
such a remark, and that he had only
heard Harvey say so.
Messrs- Walter c. Hartridge and w. r.
Slater represented the parties to the con-
test, the former representing Justice
Wickham and the latter Thee.