The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-16
Call For List of Voters Sent Out By Clerk
Hayes For His Private" Benefit, But
in Name Of Secretary James
Secretary's Name On Stationery
Used Without His Official
Consent.
Letter to Registrars Bears Every Evidence of Being
Official, But Man Who Sent Them Says 1t
Was His Private Enterprise-De-
clines to Say Whether Ii
ouor Men WillGe Lists

The Office of the secretary of the Commonwealth the sta
onrv Of that department the signature of Secretary B.
James being procure lists of the registered voters
various precincts in Virginia and where practeaDle
the postoe address of these voters for private and pos
sibly political use 49,
The lists are being secured by JAS NJ. Hayes r, cher
clerk to the secretary Commonwealth, who IN securing
the Office stationery and signature OF the secre
tarv Of the Commonwealth without his consent approval OF
even his knowledge
There is reason believe that these lists really being
gotten of the quor interests OF the State In the
Statewide campaign now IN progress. or TO De more
tev accurate they probably being secured for the use OF
the Virginia Association for Local Self which mas
established headquarters and taken the initiative IN what It
declare purpose make vigorous campaign against State
wide prohibition.
Mr. Hayes declined say whether not he is getting the
lists of registered the benefit OF the tqor
people He asked the direct question by me 1gman
and very buny refused to it. lie did say however,
that had great many friends the Local SeGovernment
In this collection of voting lists only is the Office Of
the secretary of the being improperly used
it would SEEM for benefit of special interests but the
of the State are being imposed upon letter sent
them the of the secretary OF the Common
wealth. typewriter the paper OF the secretary OF the
Commonwealth worded to create the impression tnai
call for these lists official and the return stamped
envelopes the official of the secretary OF the Common
wealth.
Without knowledge of Secretary.
Information The Nirgnian several days ago to
the effect that lists of registered voters being gotten
through the secretary OF the tommonweath once Since
The Vgnan has gotten copies OF the letters sent to
than of the registrars and all OF them are identical
olone James secretary Commonwealth, letter to
The Vrgnan very positively Il have taken steps to
lists He makes this positive by declaring
that has done this either personally officially The
secretarvs clerk Mr. Hayes has exoneraed Colonel
James and admitted The Nirgnan Yesterday that he had
printed the stationery OF the Office, used the
and sent letters out IN the name OF
latter without having brought the matter to the at
tenton of Colonel James.
When this information first The Vrgnan the gem
manager of the paper called the secretary OF the CON-
inquired whether there statute making
his duty collect the of registered voters and was
assured that the secretary knew there not
Colonel James then asked if he had taken steps
given any instructions have such lists secured He replied
that had not and that of the details of matters relating
automobiles licenses and businesses of that
nature we're attended by the chief clerk Mr. Hayes. The
chief clerk in the office at the time but conmun
Gated with later the day the phone and when asked
there were lists of registered kept the office replied
that there When asked if such lists being col
ected he said that they ocav but added that
he getting such lists on his personal account
Letter Sent To Secretary James.
Later the day. make certain of getting at the in
warness of the situation in that could not be qnes
James
w. MCDONALD LEE SIMON P JONES
President Vice Pres.
THE RICHMOND EIRGINIAN
5. B. WOODFIN General Manager
Richmond Va, May 13, 1914.
Colonel B 0. James,
Secretary of Commonwealth,
Richmond Va.
Dear Colonel James:
In the conversation which had with you YOUR
office this morning understood you say that there
record kept your office of the registered voters
of the precincts of the State and that there is
law requiring that such lists OF voters be secnred