The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-01-02
ELECTION Case Dismissed

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! Judge Cole sat at the court house, ON
Friday, to listen to arguments on the re-
quest that James V. Roberts be prevented
from taking his seat as mayor of the city
of Beverly. At the November election
Mr. Roberts was reelected mayor by the
narrow margin of two votes and his OPP
ponent thought he could produce evidence
to show that tlere had been sufficient
illegal acts to overcome that majority.
James Mercer Davis and Robert Peacock
appeared for Mr.. Jester, the contestant,
and Mayor Roberts was represented by
George M. Hillman. The latter began
argument to haYe the proceedings dis
missed owing to Irregularities. There waa
some sparring on this point but the judge
decided that the case should be heard
The contestant called Luther NJ. Wilson
who said he became of age before election
and that he was legally registered. He
was married in October and left Beverly
for ten days. On his return he went to
Burlington to the home of his wife's folks
where he had since remained. He voted
in Beverly, casting his ballot for mayor
Roberts.
did you intend to abandon your resi-
dence in Beverly, prior to election p was
asked by Mr.. Hillman, to which the wit
ness replied that he had not any such
intention.
In reply to question by Mr.. Davis the
witness said he considered Burlington his
actual residence despite the fact that he
had thought of returning to Beverly.
Judge Cole decided that Wilson did not
have the right to vote in Beverly and that
reduced Roberts majority to one.
The next witness was Napoleon Sewers.
Between October 22d and election day he
removed to Riverton, taking his wife and
occupying house which he had rented. |
He slept there with the exception of the |
night previous to election when he went |
to Beverly to sleep. He denied that he |
did this in order to secure the right to |
vote In that city, but claimed that he had |
some business to attend to. While In |
Beverly he lived with his father and |
mother and it was his intention to return |
to that city in the spring and take up his
permanent residence there. He had a |
bookcase, clothes tree and some clothing
which he took to Riverton on election
day.
He was allowed to step aside for few
moments and Clarence Jones was called
to show that he was in the grocery bust
ness at Riverton and had sold goods to
Sewers before and since election day.
William Cramer, carter, said he hauled
goods for Sewers from the house of the
latter's father, before and on election day.
Sewers was then recalled and said his
was to remain In RiYerton until
Spring. He had no idea of giving up
Beverly as residence and that he is now
on the lookout for house In that city.
Judge Cole decided that Sewers had a
right to vote in Beverly.
Joseph Hunt had been subpoen@d to
appear as a witness but he did not get
there and the court Issued bench war
rant for him. While waiting for him to
arrive Mr.. Hillman looked over the papers
in his possession and discovered that the
name of Mr.. Hunt was not mentioned.
This was surprise to the other side and
to the Judge who found that the copy of
pleadings he had did contain the name.
Comparison showed that the copy served
on Mr.. Hillman was not perfect and on
this ground the court at once dismissed
the case.
The contest will probably be continued
by carrying the matter up on quo warranto