The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-08
RECORDS PROVE
WILLIAMS VOTED
IN MISSISSIPPI
CONTINUED From First paEe.)

: =
tics. He was living at that time at
su06 Young avenue. Later he went TO
Msls, Desoto county, Miss, where his
wife owns a valuable plantation, and
In 1912 built home on the lower Horn
Lake road in the same county.
j.. j. Williams registered at the Horn
Lake depot by signing his name under
oath that he was citizen Of the state
OF Mississippi Under the law In Mis-.
slssippi a man must reside in the state
Tor Two years, and In the district for
SIX months before he can vote. William
wood, the circuit court clerk Of DeSoto
county, registered Mr.. Williams. In
August, 1915, Mr., Williams voted in the
regular state and county election at
Horn Lake. going there on horseback.
In the early part OF July Of this year
some OF the old friends OF MIR. Williams
oegan discussing the probabilities OF his
candidacy Tor mayor and the newRpa-
pers carried stories to that effect. Later
Mayor Monteverde announced that he
would not run but would support viii
Later in July, Gordon Williams. son
OF J. J. Williams, and Edgar Cheatham,
nephew OF J, ]. Williams, and who
RESIDES at Walls, Miss, went to Her
nando, the county seat OF DeSoto coun-
~. Miss, and had dinner at the Spen-
They then went to the office OF tho
circuit court clerk. Mr.. Wood The
clerk. was out campaigning, and
Deputy johnson had charge OF the Of
lice, Mr.. Cheatham It is said, told
Mr. Johnson that he had Just returned
from war, and wanted TO see the regis
lration books, etc, before the general
state and county August primary was
held In Mississippi. Accordingly Mir,
Johnson gave Mossrs. Cheatham and
Wllliams access to the registration
DOCKS, poll sheets, etc, in the record
room adjoining, and went on about his
Notified OF Mutilation.
Or. w. s. weissinger and German
Baker, the election commissioners for
neSoto county, later wrote to J, j.
Milhams mat his name had been cut
OUT OF the registration book with a
knife, and II he desired to vote he had
better look into the matter.
Mr., williams name, which had been
written In the registration book by the
registrar, was not only cut out, but his
name, which he had himself signed,
swearing that under the law he had
been resident OF Mississippi for two
years, was cut out. and the poll sheet
withnhis name, showing where he had
Not4& was also torn out
This mississippi incident, coupled
with the altered tax records of Shelby
sometimes repeats itself.
The Memphis taxing district charter
OF 1873 provides that before any man
can qualify for mayor, flres and police
commissioner or member OK the board
OF public works, he must have resided
in the city OF Memphis for five years
continuously prior to his election. An
amendment to the charter, passed IN
1905, contained the same provision as
to a five years residence, and further
provided that to qualify for mayor, fire
and police commissioner or member OF
the board Of public works, one must
not only have resided in the city for
five years, but must be bona fide
resident. Acts containing these pro.
vision OF the Memphis charters have
been repeatedly attacked in the courts,
and have been invariably sustained by
the supreme court OF Tennessee.
The records In Shelby county show
that July 10, 1914. .. J. Williams and
wife, Mrs. Matte G. Williams, sold lots
% and "a, known as zoos Young ave-
nue., the former home of Mr.. Williams
to c. ID. johnson and wife. and so far
as the records now show. Mr., Williams
has owned no property in theN city OF
Memphis since that time.
In 1915. Mr.. Williams came TOY Mem
phis at the invitation of w. j. Hayes
zsx-chief e police. and Z; II: l.itta and