The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-04
.HECHLER RELEASED
ON NOMINAL BOND
Must Appear for Trial October.
14th, With Son-in-Law
Gentry.
DECLARES HE is INNOCENT

Henry G. Hechler, Democratic nom
inee for treasurer of Henrico county.
Indicted by the grand jury for viola
ton of the Barksdale pure election
law, was released by Judge Scott yes
terday in the sum OF $500 for his APP
pearance on October 14tll. Newton l..
Gentry, his Sson-in-law, YVES likewise
permitted to go on similar bond, j.
Samuel Baruer, a brother of former
Treasurer W. H. Brauer, of Henrico.
being surety for both defendants.
1t appeared that confusion of names
on the part OF the grand jury led TO
the Indictment of j.. w. Atkinson, an
was released on his own recognizance.
Bench warrants issued for Hcchler.
Gentry and Atkinson required them to
appear In court at / p. NJ. Mr. Hechler.
| however. went to the courthouse ut
noon and was arrested at 12:A5. He
was in the custody of the officers OF
the court for less than one hour.
| IT is charged in the indictment that
Hechler paid the poll taxes Of a NUM-
her of citizens the idea. being. OF
course. that they would support him
sin3thc recent election. If Convicted
The may be sent to jail forGnot less
/ than one month, or more than twelve
months, or he may he fined not less
than 500 or more than $1,000. There
We're forty counts in the Indictment.
and the grand jury was satisfied that
4 there was sufficient proof after exam
lining a. great number of witnesses. to
Issend him up for trial.
Says He lis Innocent.
Mr.. IIechler declined yesterday to
| make any statement for publication.
4 After consultation with Mr.. II. st.
.E.John Coalter, his attorney, the latter
i said:
i .'Thcrc Is absolutely nothing In tho
4 charges. Mr.. Hcclicr and his friends
have the greatest confidence in his ac-
Il quittai of every charge made against
him. MIR. IIcc1ilcr asks his friends to
await the trial of the case"
Specializing ON Eject.
4 There was much speculation yester-
day as to what effect the trial would
have upon Hechers right to qualify
as county treasurer. His friends con-
tend that he is not under indictment
3 for a felony, which would disqualify
,. him, but in the event of his convic-
8 ton and sentence to jail he clearly
could not take the oath. In this con-
I nection the report was freely circu
! lated that every effort would be made
J to defeat him in the general election
: (regardless of the result Of the trial.
o General Election Contest.
The name Of John w. Turner, O.
Narina District, was mentioned as {
for a, number, of years, and 1t Il
claimed that lie will have the solif
a hacking of that element which Il
lgagainst Hechler, and which will en-
deayor to- defeat him for his conduc
. 4 Just pervous to the last primary Ac
Y cording to leaders of the opposition
!, movement, tho Wholesale payment o
+ poll tax was not only violation o
the Barksdale law, hut was in effec
: not different from actual bribery
{. Without the payment Of these bills
= ,Hechler, they assert. could not hav
5. secured their votes. and that 1T wa
10 practically the same as buying votes
s This whole fight" said Hechle
man. evidently the speaker for tn
treasurer-elect. is simply an effol
" to defeat him and to deprive him q
h an office to which he was legally non,
1t mated They could not beat him
Is few weeks ago. 1t would not be har
4 TO mention the source from which th1
= new attack upon him was inspire,
!. but ] shall not call spade spad
10 to-day. 1t will come out in time"
r., Curicus Twist In Politics.
o, Another curious twist in Henric
m politics came to the surface when
" / Samuel Brauer went to the front 8
,g Hechlers bondsman. Ordinarily, tn
to might not attract attention, but M
C.. 3rauer happens TO be the brother I
ae the former treasurer by that nam
Some years $50 when w. u. BgaUs