Richmond planet., 1900-05-12

not see how he could forward names
OF alleged candidates, who had not
complied with the law. He offered to
bring the per sons there within an heur
and half although sworn affidavits
were on file setting forth the fact that
the names signed were forgeries.
MR. ioRANE INDIGNANT.
Later, Mr.. E. J. Crane entered. He
Was indignant over the filing of his
name as candidate and at once pro-
nouRced it forgery. He wanted Roy
al Racks indicted. Upon the arrival Of
Commemorative Attorney ID. G. Rich-
ardson Messrs. III. X. Jonathan and
Editor Mitchell repaired to his office
where quite a conference ok place
Later Mr.. Richardson stated that he
was looking up the authorities and had
not determined fully whether the psr-
son or persons who forged the names
were guilty OF felony or q misde-
meanor. He had satisfied himse,t
however that they could be ind cted
for misdemeador. He stated tl et he
would do his fuu duty in the premises.
Mr.. Christian assured Editor Mitchell
that he believed the signsturss were
forgeries and while he would forward
them to the Electoral Board, he could
assure him that they would not appear
en- the official ballot.
He would meet the clerk OF the Elec-
toral Board Monday evening. The af-
Rdavits had been placed in the hand .
of Deputy ]. J.Lsughton Crutehfield and
fled by him.
COUNSEL EMPLOYED.
After consultation with his COL
leagues, Editor Mitchell decided to
employ counsel to protect their inter-
ests. As there is no politics in the
municipal election. It being q local
being practically unanimousiy demo-
cratic, he could see no reason for any
partisan action on the part of any one.
The candidates are among the most
substantial, property owning citizens
in the ward.
Learning that the Eleetcral Board
would meet Tuesday morning, Editor
MitShell secured the services of Hon.
VIM. l.. Royal, the, well-known consti-
tutional lawyer, whose signal success
before the Supreme Court of the init
ed States in the Virginia Bondholders'
cases attracted worldwide attention
at the time.
He met him at the City Hall and to-
gether they visited Clerk Christian.
Ascertaining that he intended to for
ward the names to the e ectoral Board
he retired.
Previous to this Editor Mitchell and
Mr.. ii. f. Jonathan had appeared be-
fore Mr.. j. I. Polndexter, Notary Pub
lie in the Clerks Offiee OF the Chan cery
Court aud made affidavit as to the fie-
ticious names and witnesses, which ap-
pesred upon the papers filed with CLERK
Christian.
MR. RoYALL's CONTENTION.
In the meantime Mr.. William L.
Royal had called upon each member
OF the Electoral Board on Wednesday
with the idea Of convincing them that
their powers were not simply ministe-
rial, and If names had beenipresented
to them, (which were forgeries and not
in accordance with law they had q right
to remove them.
They did not take this view OF the
matter, however, but consented to
submit the matter to oAttorney-Gener-
al Montague, while not agreeing to
bind themselves by his decision.
The MISTER was gone over at o:9O
Thursday morning. The Attorney
General rendered an opinion that Mr..
VIM. l.. Royal was right in his conten-
tion. that the Electoral Board had q
right to hear evidence ss to the fraudu.
lent names, and could decide al it saw
1T in the premises.