Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-09-19
::,Accomac Election Returns Lost.

sIAccomac Election Returns Lost.
iIThe following appeared in the
Saturdays issue OF the Norfolk Dis
patch under the above caption;
= Mr.. s. Wilkins Matthew's member
of the State Oyster Commission and
member OF the House of Delegates for
Accomac county at the last session OF
the legislature, is registered at the
Hotel Neddo. In an election in Acs
comac few days ago Mr.. Matthews
was defeated for reelection by Kew.
In connection with this election MIR.
Matthews had the following to say:
"Yes, you can just say that l was
defeated. That is all that know
about the matter. The registration
books and election ballots were DIES
troyed the day after the election, at
least, they have not been found. Mr..
Rev simply knew that he was elect
ed and was not furnished with any
other information, to my knowledge.
The two editors of the papers in the
county went down and attempted to
get some information about the out
come of the election. In brief, they
did not get it. There were no books or
records to show how we stood"
News comes from Accomsc that the
reason for the defeat of Mr.. Matthews
was due to his work on the State
OYSTER Commission. For some time he
has been known as 1.-The watch dog OF
| the commission" and his questions in
/ he investigation of the oyster inter-
| ests in the state won him the opposi.
ton of a good many who favor the
| renting of the oyster bottoms.
1t ia generally claimed by Mr.. Mat
thews' friends that fragrant frauds
were perpetrated at the primaries in
Accomac and that with fair count,
even with all the elements opposing
him. Mr.. Matthews has majority.
They declare that his defeat is entire
Ily due TO his known temperance pref
erepces and his warm support OF the
Mann liquor bill.
MIR. Matthews came to Norfolk yes
terday afternoon and he will leave
this afternoon to join the Oyster
Commission at Urbana. Thence the
inspectors will go to Wachapreague,
on the Eastern Shore, to look into
conditions existing there.
The above article, not only con-
slider q reflection upon NE but an in
suit to the election judges of the late
Primary, and as County Chairman
feel it incumbent upon me to pro-
nounce it fiction of the highest order
In fact, so much of it as refers to the
destruction of the poll-books and
ballots, is complete tissue of false
hoods, and equally incorrect is the
statement that the two editors were
denied access to the books by me OF
refused information. The editors al
all times were given any information
! in my possession. The poll-bookt
are now in the possession OF the two
editors or deposited in the iron safe
of some Of their friends for safe keep
ing. The tickets, 50 far as my know
ledge extends. are preserved by the
Judges of election, according to prin'
ted Instructions.
Being compelled to leave the coun
| ty early Tuesday morning following
the election for two days on officia
business, l took all the returns tha'
were in to the editor OF the "Acco
mack News" to be tabulated, witt
the request that he furnish copy t
the Enterprise, )" and informing hin
when l returned on Thursday h'
. could get the remainder. On tina
, day he came to my home and com
: pleted the list. The editor Of tn,
Enterprise" was treated with thu
same courtesy. The two papers Oh
, last Saturday had the full vote, tina
: being the earliest possible date thu
/ returns could have been published.
Il A. to the fragrant fraiecs that Mr.
: Matthews and his friends claim wer
= perpetrated l know nothing what
ever of them. l can only say that
? don't think an election was ever held
general or local, that some one olon
= intimate fraud. 1t is one OF the de
feated candidates privileges t.
.cuss" and cry "fraud," acts as al
JUNCTION to his wounded feelings. NJ
doubt Mr.. Matthews is very "sore,
, but that seems to me is not goot
and sufficient reason for the remarka
: BILE statement the Norfolk Dispatch
} gives him credit for. can only &C
: count for it on the ground that at thu
I time the reporter interviewed him n
was either suffering with acute soft
ening OF the brain or just recovering
| from a severe attack of delirium tire
mems.
In conclusion wish to state tina
this article is written solely In de
Tense of the County Committee an(
Judges of election and to place tn
good people of Accomac in a prope
light.
J. w. Bowdoin.