The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-23
WILL NOT MODEST
OFFICE HOLDERS
Judge Skeen M ak es
Promise in Election
Fraud Probe.
NO CONFESSIONS
YET RECEIVE ED
Unless Voters Acknowledge
Guilt, Investigation Will Be
Continued by Grand Jury in
February Conditions in
Dickinson Alleged to Be
Worse Than in Lee.
Especial to The Timcs-Dispatch.

n.
bristol. Va. December 22.-oflcehold-
ers In Lee county. who were elected at
the recent election In which illegal
votes arc alleged to have been bought
ana sold In wholesale numbers. viii
DO permitted 10 hold their offices un-
challenged, according to judge II
". Skccn. who has been conducting
the grand jury probe into election ir-
ieSularities. This promise was made.
WIS stated to-day. TO get evidence
oelore the jury upon which to indict
the vote sellers
commemorative Attorney Ely, of
Lee county. stated tonight that he had
oeeh instructed by Judge Skecn not TO
e' inc arrest OF any OF the men In
o'cted In connection with the whole-
saie debauchcry OF the clcctora .e OF L..
county. Judge Skeen will deal gently
win the large number OF vote sellers
already Indicted in the hone of rot
tihs probably 1000 confessions. withou,
the expense and delay of continued,
tohs drawn out grand jury inves,isa-
day.
In order TO give the vote sellers a,
opportunity to confess. he stopped tho
Erhnh jury proceedings after tho in
uictment of between 200 and 300 men.
upon receiving unmistakablc evidence
mat about 1000. or one fourth of the
voters OF the county. had sold their
.o'ss' The number has been TESTIFIED
10 by vote buyers. under promis. ~
Immunity. and unless the vote sellers
confess they will all be indicted in
February. i'i
commemorative Attorney Ely. who
was elected In Novcmber.,was the Re-
pnbiican nominee on the ttckot that
swept me county, and on account OF
the peculiar circumstances. Judge Skeen
retained another counsel 10 pros.cnte
However commemorative Attorney
hy, who VIII not lose his office. states
'nat he gave only $500 OF the sll.o0O
"hich Republican candidates nut un. In
addiiion 10 what was spent for them.
A." is actively engaged in the prosecu-
non, and Judge Skeen has his sympathy
In the Investigation.
EHunIIy Divided. =
sanvass or the Indicted me-, sbovs
mat they are almost equally divided be-
t"ceh the two parties with the Demo-
Gratis slightly in the lead, although 80
IS declsircly Republican county From
me figures given the grand Jury tho
i,-no voters of the county. constitutinr
20 per cent Of Its voting strength. re-.
1.-Two IN each election approximately
1;Voo' small per cent OF which the
politicians apply to the payment OF the
Poll taxes of the foatcrs, which must
hnoer the law. be advanced six nonths
beiorc the election. The Common.
"ea!ths attorney stated tonight that
10 knows almost every one OF The 900
noaters by name. He says That he Is
doubtful as to whether a large Nor
cent VIII confess as many declare thew
VIII stand trial. He said that no js
now ready to handle pleas of guilty,
and Will have them certified TO the
clerk Of the court through a Justice.
wheroupon the confessors accent the
minimum fine OF 800. but arc given
one year in which TO pay it. However.
'hey thereby forever disfranchise them,
selves. Hc further said that some OF
the indicted men had talked TO him
ABOUT confessing. but they had not
Hhally decided rs to what they Will do.
Conditions are declared 10 be even
worse In Dickinson county than in Lee.
Judge Skeen will convene court in
wise county January /, and will he
tnere three weeks. 1t is learned to-
night however. that Dickinson county
VIII be the scene OF the next grand Jury
investigation, and that It is believed
mat l,60O 10 1000 iloaters in that
county have been selling their yoi.s