The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-28

ed as Republican himself. Half a
dozen affidavits were presented proving
his Repubicanism.
Walter Donaldson is not confirmed
inebriate, as charged, though he occa-
sionally gets on sprees. I1e is hard
working man of intelligence. Affidavits
to this effect were read, also affidavits
saying that he was as competent to dis
charge the duties of registrar as any
other Republican in the precinct.
II. j. Ferguson is and always has been
n Republican. In proof of this the rec
ommendation of Chairman Holton, APP
pointing him registrar in 1896 was put
in evidence. Also several affidavits were
read
S. w. Stewart is a Republican,; can
read and write, and. like Ferguson, was
appointed a registrar by Holt0n. Half
dozen affidavits as to Stewards compe
tency and good Republicanism were
read.
j. o. Turby6ll is Il Republican. Like
Stewart and Ferguson. he was in 1896
appointed Il registrar by Chairman HOl-
ton
l.. A. Morrow has not been appointed
but G.. A. Morrow. a Popuiist, has. The
latter was appointed as a Populist and
not as ii Republican. as alleged. The
Republican registrar in this township is
Robert Washam.
Answering the complaint of the Popu
list chairman, the defendants aver that
J. f. Woodsides is ana always has
been Populist, man of intelligence,
honesty and fairness. j. z. Sossaman,
the man recommended, is, the defend
ants claim, more of a Republican than
POpulist, and has voted the Republi-
can ticket on several occasions.
w. j. Hutchinson is Populist and
possesses the necessary qualifications
to make a fair and honest registrar.
j. r. Porter is acknowledged to be a
Democrat, a man of intelligence and
honesty and fairly qualified to discharge
the duties of a registrar. He was ap-
pointed because there was no Populisr
in his precinct, and because PM. Pet
tus, the man recommended by the Popu-
list chairman, is a negro of bad char
acter.
Banks Potts also is a Democrat APP
pointed because there was no POpulist
in his precinct and because the Popu-
list chairman had recommended ne
gro, L. Tate, who is a Republican and
an ignorant negro of bad character. a
number of affidavits in regard to both
Of these cases Porter ana Potts. were
read.
J. c. Dennis is a Populisr and has al
ways voted that ticket. Affidavits were
read showing this.
H. H. Hoover also is a Populist and
votes that ticket. Affidavits were pre-
scented in support of this contention.
1t was further set forth in the answer
that not only were the lists of the Popu-
list and Republican chairmen cut up, but
that of the Democratic chairman Jared
even worse. OF the thirtyfive Populist
names, eight were rejected; of the same
numner of Republican names fifteen
were turned down, and of the Democrats
nearly half. The refusal to appoint the
persons recommended was in each case
based upon the desire of the board TO
obtain competent and impartial regis
trars
Samuel J. Caldwell was not appointed.
as recommended, because lie is not
man of good character.
u. S. Creighton was not appointed be-
cause it could not be found out whether
ne was duly qualified or not
Peter Helton was not appointed be-
cause he was not qualified.
J. S. Leary was not appointed because
de told one Of the board he would have
nothing to do with the election.
II. Il. Mcdonald was not qualified
III. j. Goodwin was not qualified. Be
sides he is an infidel and atheist.
Il. Il. Stewart was not qualified
W. NJ. Kiser was not Populist, as
recommended, but a RepupAcan.
w n. Knox was not appointed because
he is not man of good character.
j. +. Sossamon. L. NJ. Pettus and l..
Tate We're not appointed for the reasons
above stated.
j. w. Miller was not appointed be-
.ause it could not ne found whether he
was qualified.
M. L. Keistler was not qualified for
the office
Chas. l.alkup, Jr., was not appoint
I'd for the reason that he is a Republican
md not a Populist.
After the conclusion of the reading of
The petition and answers and the ac-
eompanying affidavits the case was ar
:ued for the defendant by Mr.. Plat ID.
Walker and for the petitioner by Mai
John w. Graham.
Mr.. Walker pointed out that the pres
INT law is very dlnerent from the law
in force two years ago when Judge
urches wrote the opinion in the case of
Harkins VS.. Cathey 119 n. Co The
board is no longer he said, compelled 20
appoint the names furnished it by the
chairman These names are simply re-
concentrations that may be accepted or
rejected as the board chooses.
Only two points are to be observed
by the board in its appointment of reg
istrars: The appOintees must be one
each of the three political parties and
must be able to read and write and ct
good character. These are the only
restrictions hampering the board. The
board has a right, if it so choose, to re-
ject any and all suggestions and make
its appointments without any suggestion
whatever from the chairman"
In several instances, where no Popu-
lists could be found men have been
chosen who voted mixed ticket. and, III
many eases, even leaned to the Republi-
can party. In the cases of Lddell
Gautier and Wilson it is claimed that
they are not Republicans. They say
they are. In the case Of Harkins VS..
Cathey it Is declared that II man is the
best judge Of what his politics are.
Maj. Graham contcnded that the true