Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-09-26
MAYNARD-YouNG CONTEST.

In Saturdays investigation in Nor
folk, OF the Second district congressional
primary election, counsel for the
people" won victory in securing per
mission to count the number OF times
the word voter" appears opposite the
names OF persons on the registration
books in the primary in Norfolk city.
It was stated unofiicially that the word
appeared only 5l6 times in one city
precinct, where 61S votes were cast,
with large majority for w. A. Young,
who, on the face Of the returns, defeat
ed III. |. Maynard by AZ majority.
The word voter" was supposed to
show who had paid their poll taxes,
but counsel for Mr.. Young said that
the only conclusive proof as to the poll
tax payment is the official capita pay
ment list ITSELF Citizens counsel said
what they we're after would be per
suasive" If not conclusive proof Of
fraud. County Chairman Owens,
when called upon, said the registration
books OF Norfolk county as used in the
primary had been turned over to Secre-
tary II. N. Poulson, OF the district
committee.
Secretary Poulson was ordered to
produce the books by noon today.
The work Of collecting evidence will be
continued throughout Sunday because
OF the short time before the beginning
OF testimony on Tuesday when Mr..
Young is TO file his answer TO charges
already brought and new charges in
precincts where large majorities were
returned for Mr.. Young.
Yesterday was perhaps the first Sun
day in the history Of Virginia on which
political investigation has been vigo-
rously prosecuted.
While there was no formal meeting
of the committee conducting the in
vestigat!on Of the Young Maynard con-
gressional primary, the attorneys and
others involved in it lost not minute,
and evidences of fraud and corruption
in connection with the election were
dug up in plenty.
1t was found by the attorneys for the
people who looked into the election in
the Fifth ward OF Portsmouth that there
we're AZ more ballots in the box than
there we're voters to put them there.
The Fifth gave Maynard an abnormal
ly large vote.
1t was also found by the investiga-
tors that the election in the First ward
of Norfolk was as corrupt as the Sec
ond has been found to be.
That no registration books were used
in Norfolk county in the recent con
gressional primary, according to an an
nouncement of County Chairman f.
w. Owens that there are indications oil
Irregularities in Portsmouth,; that poll
tax notations on Norfolk city primary
registration books are subject to public
inspection and count and thata number
of Norfolk county voters are making
affidavits they did not vote in the recent
primary, although returned on pol
books as voting, are the developments,
coming at the end OF the first week OF
the congressional primary investigation
now being conducted by subcOmmit-
tee of the State Central Committee.
The announcement of Democratic
County Chairman f. w. Owens, Of
Norfolk county, that no registration
books were used in the congressional
primary was made to acting Chairman
Edward Echols, Of the subcommittee
1t came as somewhat OF startling an
nouncement. The official poll tax
lists as certified by the clerk OF court
are used in place Of the registration
books" said Colonel Owens. These
poll tax books show that voter had
paid his taxes as a prerequisite to voting.
We appoint judges in the primaries
in the county who are acquainted
with the voters and who are republi-
cans. These judges have the poll tax
list for a guide as to their quallfica'
tons.
| Colonel Owens declared it is not a
new custom to use poll tax lists fol
registration books ill the county prl'
maries. as it has been done there foI
some time. A sidelight on the pri-
mary investigation proceedings Satur-
day came when f. G.. Landreth, n re-
publican OF Norfolk county, walked
into the Monticello Hotel hunted ur
I Eugene A. Bilsoly and made affidavit
that he did not vote in Halls Corner
precinct, Norfolk county. Mr.. Ian
dreth's name is on the poll books list
for Halls Corner precinct as having
voted in the primary. Congressman
Maynard, in his allegations, places MIR.
Landreth's name on the list OF votes
illegally cast in that precinct. Mr..
Landreth declared he is a republican
land has never voted in democratic
primary. He resents the charge Of his
vote being classed with illegal votes
Already talk of criminal proceedings
| is being passed around The Barksdale
Pure Election law applies to the case,
and it is extremely probable that it will
be invoked. This law provides severe
punishment, imprisonment and filming
for the very misdeeds that are alleged
tn have been committed in this pri-
mary election. 1t is generally conceded
that the maelstrom of apparent cor
/ ruption revealed by the Investigation
has put both Maynard and Young out
of the running as possible democratic
candidates for Congress.
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TO GREET PAPAL LEGATE.
Cardinal Gibbons announced yester.