The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-24
'O'BANNONCHARGES
PRIMARY FRAUDS
Defeated Candidate for Treas
urer of Henrico Demands
Hearing.
MAY CONSULT GRAND JURY
Believes He Was Not Fairly
Treated by Committee, Which
Refused Recount.


I Democratic County Committee, which
met at the courthouse Friday, S. NJ.
! OBannon. defeated candidate for the
/ treasurership of the county. now de-
mands hearing from the committee,
I and openly says that in addition to
his original request that the recount
! be made on the ground of natural mis-
/ takes, he will charge fraud on the part
| of supporters of his opponent. Henry
! G. Hechler, the incumbent. While he
I declares that he is not in any way
! acting the part of the disgruntled
/ candidate, Mr.. O'Bannon announces his
| intention of forcing the committee to
! give him satisfaction, and, IL not. he
! strongly intimates that the case Will
/ be brought to-. the attention of the
grand jury. He states, however. that
/ several members of the committee
| voted against the recount under mis-
| apprehension, and since nave said that
they would gladly reconsider.
Among those who supported Mr.
/ O'Bannon for the office are several of
the most prominent people OF the coun-
ty, who are urging him to make the
count sure.
Vote Was Close.
The contest between Hechler and
o'Bannon was the closest in the coun-
ty, there being a difference OF only
thlrty-nine votes in l,s22 cast In his
formal request for recount Mr.
| O'Bannon's grounus were simply that
| there might have been an honest mis-
take for one eide or the other He
| claims that by reason OF the commit
tees meeting behind closed doors he
was unable to present his case. YIN
doubtedly ne would have made some
reference to the alleged fraud, though
ne gave no !ntimatioa Of that part of
his argument until yesterday Just
now It looks as though the case viii
be thoroughly tnreshed out and that
! some sensation may result.
In the action OF the County Demo-
cratic Committee" said afr. U'Bannon
Yesterday in refusing n recount and
ignoring other matters embodied in
| my protest, i feel that I have been
very unfairly dealt VITA. My written
request TO tho committee not only
asked for a recount, but called to the
committees attention numerous tnfrac-
llons OF the law and the plan under
j "hich the primary was conducted.
Says He Has Evidence,
| My letter was merely founda ton
I upon which / expected to build proof
that fraudulent tactics had been re-
\ sorted TO. / have maua no charge. nor
40 expect 10 make any against any
J election officer, but believe that
can produce evidence to show that
illegal methods were employed bv sun
/ portors OF my opponent
When the committee convened last
FRIDAY TO take up the matter. l was
: not allowed to appear and state the
iacts that had in my possession The
, session was secret--a procedure. so far
as ! Know unprecedented on such oc-
casions In opposing my request for a
recoun-, Mt Hechler, trough his at
torheSs, presented lengthy protest
do not see why Mr.. Hechler fears a
recount IL he believes he was hon
estly elected, nor do understand what
/ motive the committee could have had
! IN denSinE me the right or stating nv
side or the question.
/ Right of Herring.
I do not desire to he paced in the
! attitude of disgruntled candidate.
| but after consultation with number
| OF those who supported me. l have de-
eiaed TO demand hearing from the
! committee tning that every citizen
/ has the right TO ask
! Since the meeting last friday I
/ nave found that some members OF the
/ committee We're misinformed, when
/ they voted, and they have since then
| expressed themselves as being in favor
| OF reopening the matter.
! When the case has been thoroughly
! gone into, whether the result is in my
| favor or not, shall be perfectly sat
| lshe6 do not think however, that
II would be fair to myself or my sup
porters II were to quietly submit,
without investigation, to the use Of
! methods which ! believe were resorted
TO in direct and knowing violation OF
| the law"
Mr.. o'Bannon has not vet deeideu
when he will ask the committee to take
! up the case.