The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-06
GRAND JURY NAY
PROBE THREAT" RuMOR
Judge Richardson Tells OF Two Men
Who Said They Had Been Told
They Must Vote For Haddon.
DOES NOT KNOW NAMES
Mr.. Haddon says He Would Have Not
Been Party to Any Such Methods.
Looks Very Much Like q "E1asll in
the PAN"

1t Is quite likely that when the
grand jury meets on the ed of this
month to take up unfinished business
the question of inquiry as to alleged
irregularities In the late election may
be considered.
TIL matter may be placed before
the jury by Judge Richardson or
| may be taken up by members OF the
jury upon their own initiative.
Judge Richardson Is responsible for
a statement that two members of the
Street Cleaning Department were d.
rcted by SOMEONE as yet unknown to
vote for the nominee of the City
Democratic Committee Or risk losing
their jobs.
One of these men went to City Hall
on Tuesday and asked Judge Richard
son to help him, so he might cast
his vote. He had changed his resi-.
dence and had secured his transfer.
but he had failed to have it recorded
in the precinct to which he had
moved. The law provides that all
transfers shall be made within thirty
days of a general election. Judge
Richardson coul6. therefore, do moth
ing in this case.
Told How Must Vote
The man stated tHa. he wanted TO
vote. and had noen directed u cas-.
his ballot FIR Mr. fiaddoa. The rame
had been written on n slip NJ paper
and HANDED. him The c3nverSa,.,
between the citizen ana Judge ,. CHI
ardson took phase in the pres.n e Il
Clerk g. O. Saviite II C.:aucery Court.
Neither knew the name of the man,
Another in..i lcdt IN which auiee
Richardson .yura /. occurred the fol-
lowing day. The :. 60 vas IN his
way from home to Il car II so to
the City Hall. :. driver of one OF
the elty carts fGet him. He 14ntIetd
from the cart ran To tbs siaewalk.
shook hands with the Judge. ANA tN-
pressed much satisfaction al the efec-
ton Of Ar. Wise.
Il am glad MIR. Wise was elected"
said the man. Il voted fos lin, but
as soon as the men at he stables
heard OF 1t they put me ca the black
list and may lose my Job
Judge Richardson said last night
he did rot know this mans name.
although he knew him by sisht
II don't think ] would call his
name If knew IT," said Judge Rich
ardson last night. While there may
be nothing in the case. atill If his
name were known he might lose his
Job"
The Law concerning such things
.s Elear If any one by threat ar
bribery attempts to influence any
eleetor in casting his ballot, or at
tempts TO deter him therefrom he may
be confined In Jail fer year and
fined as much as $1,000,
Clerks III The Office Of the street
cleaning department said yesterday
afternoon they knew nothing Of any
such notice having been given work
A,s.s tina .,s a WI yaa
the matter up as a trivial one.
IF / knew Of any such thing go
ing on said Clerk Parkinson, Il
would feel it my duty to report TO
Superintendent Cohn. I don't think
there is any foundation for the re-
port 1t probably arose among lot
of men discussing the election. All
kinds of remarks emanate when
crowds get together to argue political
questions
Both Judge Richardson and Com
monweairh's Attorney Wise appear to
think little of the incidents. Neither
indicated last night that steps might
be taken to further inquire into the
matter.
The grand Jury meets again later
in the month. II was suggested last
night that the jury itself would prob
a bly, look into the matter and sum-
mon every man connected with the
street cleaning department. To qaes-
ton them under oath as TO the foun-
dation for such reports
This department is looked upon as
a factor in primary elections, but II
is known that there is never unan-
unity in its ranks The department
is always split in its preferences in
primary elections.
Superintendent Cohn has frequent
" been charged with lining his men
up, but he has as frequently protested
that ii would be as easy 10 line up
the men in his department as il would
to push the tide OF the James River
back down the river before lis time.
Last night MIR. Haddon stated
that IN. had no knowledge of any
one. directly or indirectly, at
tempting TO influence any city en-
ploye To vote for hun by threat
or promise OF amy kind. and that
had he known of such methods.
hc would not have been n party
thereto.
The public will gladly and
promptly accept Mr.. Haddon's
statement as to the matter. not
the slightest suspicion resting UP
on him OF any "short cuts" IN
the recent election.