The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-06

bernatoriai contest of 1903, there were
polled in Nottoway county, the home
of the Democratic nominee for Gov
ernor, a man of unusual popularity In
his own county, only SIS Democratic
votes. in the congressional election OF
1919, there were polle6 in the said
county only 245 Democratic votes. In
the latter case, however, there was
ne opposition to your pstittonerewho
was the nominee OF the Democratic
party.
Your petitioner is informed that in
the said county of Nottoway on the
said 21st day of September, 1912,
There was held special election afso
for the determination OF the location
of the courthouse of said county,
which election excited considerable
interest and brought TO the polls
considerable portion Of the voting
population of said county, regardless
of color or political aftiliation; and. in
view Of the fact that the published
reports showed that there was only
a difference oil twenty-six between the
number Of votes cast In said special
election and the number reported TO
have been cast In said primary cleo
ton, your petitioner having been de-
MED access TO the poll books of said
primary election by the action of your
committee, and believing that he
would be able to ascertain from the
official poll books. which must have
been kept in said special election. the
class of persons who were permitted
to vote in said election, so as to give
to the said Walter A. Watson the I'M
usually large vote which he is ac-
credited with from said county
Applied through his agent TO the
clerk of the Circuit court OF SAID
county of Nottoway for the privilege
CT inspecting the poll books kept in
said special election, when, To his sur
prose, his agent was informed by said
clerk that even TIE official pool books
in the special election could not be
exhibited to him, for the reason that
they were in the possession of Mr..
Hunter II. Watson attorney at law,
and brother Of the said Walter A.
Watson. VINO, the clerk stated, had
all the papers in his possession in con-
nection with SAID special election. for
the purpose Of formulating the neces-
sary PAL ers incident to contest OF
the legality OF said special election.
so that unless your petitioner is mis-
taken in the Information which hs'
has received. aud upon which this al
legation Is based, ii would seem that
in Nottoway county every avenue OF
information has been closed against
your petitioner. and the pregnant fact
also appears that the validity of the
said special election in which the
same electors participated, as. accord
ing to this Information. being assailed
by the citizens OF Nottoway county
the mSelves.
Fraud Alleged Here.
Q. Your petitioner further alleges
that not only has he been preJudiceo
by the erroneous instructions given
to the Judges Of election by this COM
mittee. and the unjust and Illegal dis
elimination practiced by said judges
OF election as hereinbefore alleged
but facts have come to your Pc
titioner from the most reputable
sources which justify him upon in
formation and belief in charging that
he was fraudulentiy deprived Of three
90 legal ballots cast for him al
Monks Neck precinct, in Dinwiddie
county.
Your petitioner insists that he ID
entitled by virtue of the constitution
and laws OF this State tn these two
flgnIS. FlTSAs 10 TcQuHC tuht tAic tc
turns Of said primary election. as
shown by the poll books. be first duly
sInvassed. and the result ascertain
ed therefrom, before this committee
acting in the capacity Of a canyassing
board, In authorized to award GER
tificate of nomination to either can
didate: and. second. to impeach the
returns so made for iilegality or fraud
before this committee. sitting as q
judicial tribunal TO hear and deter
mine this contest upon any and all
of the grounds hereinbefore alleged
and upon any other grounds which
may be developed after said poll books
and ballots have been opened and
producec for inspection.
In consideration OF the premises
your petitioner respectfully requests
Your honorable committee to convene
at as early date as possible In view
OF the short time before the regulai
election. to hear and determine this
contest: that the akid poll books and
ballots used In said primary election
be required to be produced befors
your committee: that they be open es
and inspected and canvaaaed. ana thai
all such evidence may he heard b.
your committee as will be admirable
upon the issues rendered by this pc
tition. And your petitioner indulges
/ the hope that this request will bs
Joined In by his competitor. who
previously to the said primary cleo
tton. persistently proclaimed his IN
Rtllingness to accept the n0n1fAAtt0n
,svIA.e tkA navun vvAr~ Nm All raGSaA1xhl