Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-01
AUTHORITY OF GRAND
JURY PROBE QUESTIONED
Norfolk Lawyers Generally Agree That
Prosecutions Can be Effected for
Fraud In Uniesalized Primaries, But
Some Hold Different View on the
subject-PecpIe Greatly stirred.
tny Associate orelD

NORFOLK, VA, Sept. 30.--Tpe IN
PRODUCTION by William A. Young OF
testimony in rebuttal OF sweeping
charges Of Illegal voting In Norfolk
city, brought by Congressman Harry
l.. Maynard. whom Young appeared
to have defeated by IS votes. and the
adjournment OF the commitee to
Portsmouth to hear Testimony in proof
of alleged fraud In that city. were
today's features OF the investigation
now being made into the recent Sec
ond district Democratic congres sional
primary.
Answering the supplemental charge
OF Maynard that 512 men were voted
In Norfolk who had not paid their poll
taxes, Young put on the stand City
Treasurer b. G. Tunstall. of Norfolk.
who testified that all but twenty OF
the 5i2 had properly paid their taxes
and Young promised to account for
the twenty later. Testimony adduced
By Young Offset scvsrzi cases Of al
legged illegal voting brought out BIZ
the Citizens council.
Can be Prosecuted.
Norfolk lawyers are generally
agreed that prosecutions can be eE
fected for fraud COMM, ted In an un-
legalized primary. Some, however. 10
not take this view OF the case, de-
clsring that the statutes are not sif
ficiently clear on the subject. The
statutes are very pla as regards
regular elections, but 1t is question
whether they can be applied to pEt--
maries in Virginia.
No development In the cause OF the
DIT mary investigation has so stirred
this section as the sworn declaration
made yesterday by J. Martin Davis,
manager OF Norfolk shoe etore, ant
resident Of Portsmouth, that John L
Watson. known as one OF the Big
-Four of Portsmouth. cast ballot Tor
an absent voter in Maynard's home
ward. The matter is being discussed
on every hand and will lkely be tins
chief topic of conversation for >ouo
time. -
Mr.. Watson denies that he cast 4
ballot for George A . Tabb, former
treasurer Of Portsmouth, who was
out q the city en- primary day. ito
declares that the whole matter Ii ths
outgrowth OF a joke. n connectiG
with the fact that the poll book
showed that L. Mex. Jack was voted
illegally about the tine Of alleged lest
at the polls instead Of Mr.. Tabb, MI
Davis declares that he did not testify
nat Mr.. watson voted for Mr. T4oo
when the ballot was alleged to have
been deposited In the box. He 10
clares that he stated that Nr. Wa
son said he was going TO vote for NJ.
Tabb and be had no vaS 81 knowing
whether he put the name of Mr. faoo
or Mr.. Jack on the slip that went isso
the box foF Maynard
penisk Voting Cor Jack.
MF. watson IS equally as emphatic
in DENYING that be voted for Mr..
Jack who was likewise absent NON
the city on primary day.
When the probe into the recent
Second district congressional primary
was resumed this moving. counsel
for W. A. Young Who was awarded
the certificate Of nomination on th7
face Of the returns over Congressman
Maynard. his opponent. went ap
against a proposition 20 prove t5@-
Norfolk Courthouse precinct vas not
tainted Sith wholesale frau1 a.
brought out By the testimony during
the last few days. To accomplish esis
end. Young viii have 70 show. a. 'sr
As possible. that ballots we're cast ~
the rae Of about one ninute.
though witnesses have sworn tast
there was practically no resa Of rc'-
ing 81 any time during primary cay
Yoanes counsel led OF b. putting On
several witnesses. giving the sane
Names A. previous witnesses ~so oe
MED voting a. the courthouse. 'aoas'
recorded Is doing -. witness 'o
Yoang rwore they voted for hi" ~
fhis precinct