The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-06
TURNbULL FILES
CONTEST NOTICE
AGAINST WATSON
Many Charges of Irregularity
and Fraud Are Alleged
in Petition
BLACK BULL MOOSE
AMONG THE VOTERS
Defeated Candidate Takes Is
sue With District Chair
man Gillian on Many
of His Rulings

representative Robert Turnbull
yesterday officially fiied notice n con-
test with the Fourth district. Demo
cratic committee against the awarding
of the nomination in that district to
Judge Walter A, Watson. who on the
face OF the returns In the district de-
margin of eight votes.
Notices were served on Judge Wat
son and on Robert Gillian, the dis
tr.ct chairman. Chairman Gillian
Monday night for the purpose of
considering the contest
State Chairman j. Taylor Eliyson
stated yesterday that he caa take
no official action In the matter until
the contest is passed upon by the
district committee and then only IN
case a further appeal should be
sought by the loser in the contest.
50 No onscaal sAcsian Vet
The only communications haxe
had with either side have been en-
tirely personal and not In any seyse
official. ! have assured each side
that / am ready to act without any
delay whatever when the time comes,
but 1t IL thoroughly understood that
the State committee cannot act until
the matter passes through the dis
triet commisfse."
Chairman Efiyson called attention
TO the fact that the time in which the
contest may be- completed in going
Ne, fxaa - - fhss mr. sru4
Como To the state committee before
midnight Of October 18th.
The notice OF contest filed yester-
day by Mr.. Turnbull's son. acting as
his attorney, alleges many irreguiari
ties.
The Petition.
Following Is Mr.. TurnbuiIs Petition.
Your petitioner, Robert Turnbull,
Of the county of Brunswick, in said
district. respectfully alleges that at
the Democratic primary election.
held in said district on the 2Ist day
OF September. 1912. for the nomina-
ton OF the Democratic candidate for
the Office of representative for the
said district In the congress of the
United States. your petitioner was a
candidate for said nomination. and
Honorable Walter A. Watson, of the
county of Nottoway, in said district,
was also a candidate for said nomi-
nation. and that there was no other
candidate In said primary election for
said office.
That before the said primary cleo
tien was held, your honorable body,
pursuant To the powers vested in You
by law. on or about the 10th of July.
1912. adopted certain regulations for
the conduct Of said primary. copy
whereof. signed BY the chairman of
-yettr committee, Is hereto attached as
a-naftL of this- petition
That after the said primary cleo
ttnn had been held. to-wit: On the
atth day OF September. 1912. the
chairman OF your committee ad-
dressed TO the several chairmen OF
the county and city committees of the
Democratic party within the said dis
trict a letter in the following words;
-Four Congressional District
Committee.
September "a, 1912.
Dear Fearing that there
may BE- gone mtsunder standing of
the law. I beg to call your attention
10 the following provisions respect
ing returns. etc:
The judges -of election shall within
two days after the election certify the
man. who, In turn. with the city or
county committee. shall. within five
days after their receipt, canvass the
returns, tabulate and seal them and
certify the result to the chairman OF
the district committee.
The district committee has been
called to. meet in this city on Mon
day next, the 3ofh- instant. for. the
purpose OF canvassing these returns.
The ave days. according to my idea.
~ill expire Friday next. ! hope you
will be able to get your committee
together by that time and canvass the
returns and certify the INTO me. In
order that the committee may have
the necessary facts before them to
declare the result
Very truly yours.
ROBERT GILLIAN.
Chairman
That afterwards. to-wtt; on Sep
TENDER Is, 1919. the said chairman
sent / telegram to the said chairman
Of the county and city committees Of
the Democratic party In said district.
in the following words:
After consulting counsel, ! con-
clude. that section 30 OF the new pri-
mary law ahrogates Dem ocratlc party
plan requiring meeting OF ycnr
county COMMITTEES to canvass returns.
Judges Of election certify returns d.
rect 10 me. Unnecessary. therefore
for committee to canvass returns
81 District Chairman
That on the 3oth day OF september.
1919, your committee met In the
CITY cf Petersburg, and, against the
protest and objection Of your Pc
te41rvsnr ,sSnrAAdaA "a t1AtArnnina the