Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1949-05-25
Board Stands Firmly ~ ~
Behind Gore, Dispute
Flares Anew This Week
Strickland Gives
Statement For
Executive Group

Executive Group
The dispute over the appoi:t-
ment of Lee Gore as registrar for
the South Williams Township pre-
cinct, between the County Board
of Elections and the local Demo.
cratic executive committee, flared'
anew this week when the News:
Reporter came out on Monday
with several statements made by
Powell.
jack Strickland. member of the
executive committee, released
lengthy statement on Wednesd ~,
which, he said, should clarity the
position of the executive commit
tee.
"On Thursday, May ), l949,"
Strickland said, the County
Board of Elections proceeded to
distribute the registration books
to the several precincts in Column
bus County to the respective reg
istrars for the State Schools and
Roads Bond election, it falling TO
Roscoe Soles, 4 member OF the
board. to deliver the South Will
liams township registration books
to Billy Carroll in Tabor City.
due to Garrell's business
and professional duties, he felt
4 I~1 hi 70
give the time required to act
as registrar, and wished to re-
sign. He made suggestions to
SOles of several people that
might qualify, and Informed
him that if such persons
could not be found, to return
the books and he would serve
in this election.
With these words, Soles return
ed to Whiteville, without inform
a.g even one member of the local
committee of Gairell's resigna.
ton.
"On Friday, May 6, Raymond
Mallard was approached in the
Court House by A. Elmo Powell
Jr., chairman of the county board,
in regards TO Gore being appoint
ed as registrar fol the South Will
liams precinct. In answer, NAL
lard stated that as far as he was
concerned Lee Gore was compe-
tent of holdi.g the election, but
stated further that if he, Gore,
was appointed, it would not be
satisfactory TO the people in the
precinct, and made several sug-
geslions to Powell of individuals
who would De acceptable. In re-
turn, Powell informed Mallard
that he wasn't interested in any
suggestions from anyone, and he
was going 10 give the books to
Gore.
"ln the News Reporter. Of
NAV 23, Powell indicated that
the situation would have been
different had the executive
committee notified the Board
of Elections OF the resignation
of Garrell, and given the board
time 10 hear their recommend
dationS.
"Please note that Powell
had received several recon-
mendatiOns from Garrell. and
Mallard, on Thursday and FRI
day respectively. prior to Civ
ing the books to Lee Gore on
Saturday, May I.
ION Monday, May 9, two men,
bers of the local committee, Mayor
AL williams and 1, Jack Str!ck-
Iand), called on Powell and ASK
ed why lie hadn't informed the To-
cal committee of Garrelrs reslg-
nation and then asked for recon-
Powell stated that
he di6,:'t have to listen to any
recommendations from any pie
cinct committee in Columbus
County, and as far as the recon-
of the South Williams
township committee, he wouldn't
give a d and as long nh ne
had the power to say who would
hold the registration books, ne
was going to use it to the fullest
exts'.t.
He also stated that If Gore
w.s removed, the Governor
would do 1t because he had 1t
fixed with the State Board OF
Elections. He was then ask
ed to call u meeting of the
County Board of Elections to
hear the local committee COM
plaints and recommendations.
which was DONE"
The meeting was held on Mon
day, May 16, a complete account
Of which was given in last "eeN
Tribune.
Powell told Williams at the
meeting. IF you and Kenny Jor'
dan, being mayor of Tabor Clts
and county commissioner respec-
lively. will present to this board
a signed affidavit to the effect
that Gore informed both OF you
the books had been found. l Will
vote to remove Gore as registrar.
Strickland commented in his
statement that statements We're
made tat this meeting) of the reg
stration books being lost while :
being in the possession of Lee
Gore, which caused a new regis
ration of all legal voters in South
Williams township in the county
election of May, 1913, which caus-
ID the voters a great expense" /,
Mayor Williams had previously