Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-25
PIGG VS.. ELECTORAL BOARD.
Judge whites Decision in the PITT
syIyanfa Case.

NrARTINSVIIIE. VA. May 2L-CSpe-
cial)-The case Of w. w. Pigg against
the Electoral Board, and w. T. Shelton
II. =. Glasgow, and A. Fox Shelton, OF
Pittsylvania county, which was submit
ted 10 Judge Whittle yesterday, was de-
cided by him late last night, the de-
cislon being a complete victory for the
plaintiff.
The object Of the suit was TO enjoin the
Electoral Board of Pittsylvania county
from holding the coming election for
county officers under the law commonly
known as the Walton law. Under that
law, before one can be voted for at any
election he has TO file his application be-
fore the Clerk Of the County Court at
least twenty days before said election is
held. This is contingent, however, upon
the point whether or not one or all of the
political parties make nominations. II
no nominations are made, then the cleo
lions are held under section 90 which Is
the same as the old law known as the
Anderson-AlcCurmiclS law. The situation
i'm Pittsylvania county that gave rise 20
the above suit was unique one. Boln
Of the old political parties in that county
refused to make nominations. ana inc
race for county offices was free Tor all
until candidates had become as thick as
leaves in Nalhambrosa
1t appears that the PrOhibitionists have
n county chairman in the person OF w.
r. Shelton, and an Executive Committee
composed Of the said Shelton, II. 4, Glas-
cow, - Coates, - Reynolds, ana ). L.
GraVely on the 10Th day of April w. L.
Shelton and Fl. +. Glasgow, less than a
quorum of said Executive Committee,
met in Chatham and undertook 10 make
nominations for the county offices. Mr..
Glasgow. one of the two committeeman,
In ,1 a fgP
Clerk and \. Fox Shelton, q brother OF
the other committeeman, was nominated
for Commissioner of the Revenue. This
+, slate prepared by these two gentlemen
styling themselves a convention or a NOM
mating body, was afterwards submitted
TO one or more Of the other
members of the Executive Committee
| and | believe TO a member or the gate
Executive Committee. and was approved
| BIZ them. The Clerk of the County Court
and the Electoral Board or Pittsylvania
! county was thereupon notified that the
Prohibition party had nominated ticket,
and demanded that the election should
be held under the Australian-ballot Sys,
TEN. and the Electoral Board so decided
and proceeded to have the tickets print
ed. In the mean time w. j. OverbJ, a
candidate for Sheriff, who IL was con,
| ceded could not be beaten, died, ahu
| other candidates .sprang up for that or
flee hut found themselves cut Off by the
didacy twenty days prior 10 the election
| Thereupon w. w. Pigg. suing Tor MN
| self and others, brought this suit, alleging
! that no nominations had been made by
| any political party; that the candidates
nut forward by w. r. Shelton and II
| p Glasgow had all declined 70 run eX
! cent three; that the PrOhibitionists dc
! NOT recognize that ticket as a party
| ticket: that the whole scheme was q
fraud. conceived and carried out In tn
| interest of certain candidates or an
| other political party, and that W. !
| shelton and Henry p. Glasgow, a mlnori-
! Nv of the Executive Committee OF the
| Prohibition party. had no authority "a
make such nominations. Considerable eVl-
| dence was taken by botn SIDES, ana SOM.
| of the strongest Prohlbitlonists IN tne
county were introduced as witnesses II
behalf Of plaintiffs, and the allegations
of the bill were, in the main, sustained
and the Judge entered the FOLLOWING
| order: -,.,.. .,o. -,
| political party has nominated candidates
| for the county offices for said county
=: that said election should be hell
| and conducted I'm accordance win sec
ton %. Acts 1855. chapter zoo, page 'es
&c, and that the Electoral Board p'
| enfoined and restrained from taxing aI,s
| further steps TO have said election hele
and conducted I'm pursuance or inc Pr
| visions of said act which are applcaDi.
| i'm cases where nominations nave D0''
| made by a political party ,,o ~
| This case has created considerapls -
| element I'm PittsylVania county; H anu w
| decision OF the Judge was looked lor""i'
10 with great interest.