The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-11
Page Cut in Two.

They know that on the poll book used
In the election at the Horn Lake rot-
ing precinct In 1915, that his name APP
peared at about the midle Of the page
in which all names beginning with w
were written.
They know that. as shown In the pho-
tographs, the name Of ], ]. Williams
does not now appear ON those books and
they know that the portions of the
pages which we're cut from the mutt
lated records were those on which ], J.
Williams name formerly appeared,
What they do not know Is who the
person or persons are who cut j. j, VIII
liamS' name from the two books, which
are official records OF neSoto county.
What they pronose to do about is, II
mutilnting official records Of their
county, and II proof can he secured, Of
ficiany to ask that the guilty person or
persons be tried and punished,
1t was with that purpose, that after
the mutilation Of the books was discoV-
cred late last July, and after the three
members Of the county board of cleo
ton commissioners has conferred on
the matter, they agreed not to mention
to anyone the fact that Mr., Williams
name had been cut from the
record, meanwhile starting such inves-
tigation as they could make as to who
had access to the records at any time
iNh Nv ANh'NS O'''N'" '"N -
Son and Nephew Saw Books.
win Wood, the circuit clerk. said that
perhaps 20 people or more had exam
med the records during July, as any
voter has a right to inspect the records
for any proper purpose,
The members Of the county election
board, officially. have that right Of
course, at any time, and frequently be-
fore an election or a primary &c through
| the books to eliminate any names of
| voters who have moved from the coun-
ty, died or become disqualified in any
way.
1t was Mr.. Woods deputy, Andrew
| Johnson, who permitted Gordon VIII.
liams and Edgar Cheatham, son and
nephew of j. J. Williams, to examine
the books during July of this year,
Mr.. johnson did not remain in the Of
flee with them, Neither he nor any
other official has even minated that
either of the young men had anything
ITO do with mutilating the records on
that occasion, They merely and re-
luctantly have admitted the facts. The
records themselves show their present
condition.
Mr.. Wood, registrar and official GUS
todian of these and other county rec
ords, Is naturally indignant at the fact
that anyone should In mis- absence have
tempered with them,
DIR. w. =, Weissinger, chairman OF
the board, said emphatically that re-
CARELESS Of who the person or persons
may be who mutilated the records, II
proof Is given him rs to the identity OF
any person in connection with the mat
ter he win personally start criminal
proceedings against him,
But, although Mr., Williams has hac
an opportunity to make a statement
through any n of the four daily news.
papers of Memphis, and has made fouI
or five public addresses to the Others
of Memphis, not one word has he said
about these particular charges.
He does not say that he voted In Mis-
sissippi.
He does not deny It..
He merely says that If e~lectcd-and
there should be n question mark In 4
parenthesis right here-he will take the
office and serve as mayor. Just like
that.
His friends, including his campaign
manager, i. j, Moss, say that he does
not deny hat he voted in Mississippi,
But they add that he never did re,
linquish his citizenship In Tennessee,
II his friends are right he took al
oath to a contrary state OF facts wher
he signed the registration book in June
1915,
The courts may not have to pass OF
this question. Mr.. Williams may b,
right in stating that it viii never b.
raised. 1t certainly will not II Rowlet
Paine is elected mayor.
But hundreds Of men and women VIII
possibly intended to vote for MIR, VII
liams will not do SO, because they be
lieve Memphis has had its full shar'
Of political law suits. But II the court
should have to pass on Mr.. Williams
eligibility his own actions, his owl
sworn statement, although cut from
the records OF DeSoto county, could still
be proven.