The news & observer., 1897-01-27

ponents that he had taken depositions of
persons whose names were not mentioned,
Mr.. Henry argued that the words ''and
Others" in his notice, included any one he
might desire TO examine. But even IL
tho objection had any force, Mr.. Henry
said, it was overcome by the fact that
the contestees had appeared and cross
examined every witness.
Mr.. Henry said his contention IN this
matter was this: Either there was no
election in Pineville precinct. No. 2. and
no votes there cast ought to be counted:
or there was an election, and the 50 names
that were Illegally stricken off the regis
tratton books ought to be counted.
The evidence touching the matter of
intimidation was reviewed and the speak
er declared that there was intimidation
and white-eapping, andt~that the white
cappers were known and to-day were in
danger OF Albany penitentiary. The
running of the new line by Surveyor
Spratt, he said, was piece of contempt
bic raseality, and Mr.. Mccall did wrong
IN advising it. 1t was part of O con-
spiracy, he said, to get rid of John Alex
ander, make the registration of the S5
voters appear to be illegal and thereby
prevent their voting. 1t was an officious,
fraudulent and criminal conspiracy
Even If Alexander did live outside of
the precinct it made no difference to any
body but the clerk who appointed him.
Anyway his appointment made him an
officer de factO and his acts as such were
valid. No one could impugn his title to
Office by running line without authority
and without law"
Mr.. Henry said there was no election
for two reasons: ID There was no legal
machinery to register and poll the bal
lots; CD The whole transaction was,
therefore. tainted with fraud, irregular
and without authority.
Touching the contention of the contes-
tants that the So voters whose names
We're stricken off the registration book did
not tender their votes and therefore had
no right to ask that they be counted, Mr..
Henry said, this rule Of law was repealed
by the new election law, and the voter
was no longer required to go through
such an assinine performance. He claim
ed that even before the new election law
was passed this rule was not adhered
to by legislative committees in contested
election cases.
He also charged that negroes were put
from voting. Mr.. Keerans denied this
and said there was no evidence to sup
port the statement, except that one ne
gro, in giving his evidence, said it was
his opinion that they were put in jail to
keep them from voting.
Is the election machinery in Meckien-
burg county to be smashed and the cleo
ton stolen and the men for whom it is
done be kept in Office and be allowed to
hide behind miserable subterfugeT, Mr..
Henry asked in his deepest bass tones.
Is this a free county? Are we free
men and stand this"
Mr.. Henry ended his speech of three
hours with a strong partisan ap-
peal to the committee. He said if the
committee did not unseat the contestees
and give the seats to his clients they
would paralyze the right arm Of the
Republican and Populist parties in
Mecklenburg county.
1t is not probable that any change
will be made in these two cases. Meek
lenburg- elected two Democrats and two
Populists-the Republicans were de-
feated. This is due. | am told by those
who are acquainted with the circum-
stances, to the fact that the Populists
scratched the Republicans-W Williamson
and Clanton-and voted for the Demo
crats-Reid and Ransom.
This fact is borne out by certificate
which Mr.. Ransom now has, signed by
several of the most prominent Populists
in the. county setting forth that they
voted for him for the House of Repre-
sentatiyes from Mecklenburg county for
the session of 1897.
This certificate is signed by Populist
judges of election, registrars, county and
township committeeman and other lead
ing Populists.