Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-10-09
"Dry'S" Answer

". ttiiner. w Ill Moore, i. i)OWman, f,
w. X Shryock. Ii. j. Stickel. W.
$. Dix. A. r. Hardesty, Chas. X.
Jones, Phil. X. Pulliam, Jas. w.
Gaver. j. ID. Wiley, G. II. Blake.
j. Ed. Ogden, n. Z. Walters, ID.
III. Snyder, ID. ii. Scanlon, j.
Harry Smith, Geo. J Cunningham,
&. II. Gavcr and VIM. l.. Elsca,
filed last Saturday by Attorney A,
Moore. Jr.'. denies the charges of
the contestants as TO practically
every ground of contest.
They deny that the law was
openly, notoriously and grossly T"
violated, and say that ON the con-
trary the attention of the voters
lad for several weeks prior to the
election been devoted To- Il ccnsid-
Grafton of the subject voted upon;
that a large proportion of the reg
istered vote was cast; that the cleo
ton was conducted without disturb
ance and in an orderly manner;
that every voter had the unrestrict-
ed opportunity of voting his con-
victions; that the ballots cast faith
fully reflect their views on the sub
Jest of licensing the sale Of intoxi
eating liquors in the District; that
the election officers acted with inn
partiality, honesty and fidelity, and
that the returns were in accord
with the facts.
They admit that the ballots were
not strictly in accordance with the
letter of the law, but say that the
form was not material and that the
ballot expressed clearly the idea of
the statute.
They deny that the returns were
falsely certified and deprecate the
utter recklessness with which the
parties to contest charge honest and
upright men with false conduct.
They say that the returns were in
exact accord with the facts and that
commissioners of election honestly
and truthfully tabulated the returns
and gave correct certificate of the
result.
They admit that the regular
canvassers did not meet, but say
that the provisions of the law were
complied with, and contend that
the action of j. +. Payne, one of
the canvassers, in appointing ID. b.
Morrison and j. X. Hardesty as
commissioners in the absence of
the other regular commissioners
was in accordance with statute.
They say that the canvass was
made on September 10, rs required
by law, and not on September Is,
rs alleged by the contectants, and
say that If the certificate shows a
different date it is the fault of the
Clerk.
They say it may be true that ID.
b. Murrsion and j. X. Hardesty
did not take the oath prescribed
by law, but claim that the result is
not vitiated thereby, and they ask
the Court To examine the returns
of the Judges.
They say that the omission of the
clerk of the board to certify that
ID. B. Morrison and j. X. Hardesty
were duly designated as commits
sloners should not and does not
deprive the people Of the district
of the benefit of the election, and
ask the court To examine the ballots
and the returns.
They deny that ANY illegal or
non resident voters were allowed
to participate in the election, and
say that the reasons for denying
votes TO David DcDonough, Paul
Williams, David Doleman and
Auther jackson was because they
had not been assessed with poll tax
in the County. but that the Deputy
Treasurer illegally received their
poll tax and their names were ille-
gally placed upon the registration
list; and in the case of Horace
Dixon they say that his poll tax
was wrongfully paid by some other
person on the morning of the cleo
ton.
They deny that the Judges i'm
properly or unlawfully assisted
voters in the preparation of their
tickets or that they entered the
voting booths with then,
They deny that improper inhu-
ence was used by persons opposed
to licensing the sale Of intoxicating