Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1954-06-02
AN EDITORIAL. :.
We NEED A CHANGE

Columbus County Board of Elections 80 u Inc
Ihs newspaper realized long ago the need for a
chahge In the Craftsmanship of the Board Elections and
we now advocate the immediate resignation or
mr. f0we on the basis of varied irregularities Sat
uroay democratic Primary.
Mrs Tom Angle, registrar of South Williams Pre-
cnct reported to the Tribune that Mr. Powell had tele
tnat only Tom lnman, Don Hughes and Everett Miller
an honest men, be permitted to work the voting
Inachnes Mrs Angle reported that Powell ordered her
TO work only on the books during entire election
Fowelis hasty action cast shadows of doubt on the
integrity OF the other workers at the polls MANY wears
ago. the insnuaons might have been Justified however
Sucn lnoviduals as Mrs Tom Angle, Ben L. Nesmith ILL.,
oand Gore and Jimmy Dicus regarded as being of
reproach. ''N
Did Chairman Powell act on the presumption that he
was making noble effort to insure the polls against
corruption! If so, urge him produce evidence to
tnat ERECT If this was not the underlying then we
ask tna ne explain fully the motive for acting man.
her that tended to tarnsh the reputation of innocent
people Interested only in performing community service
was POWELL Interested in conducting the polls in a
more efficient manner? So approach to the stua
ton was sad commentary for who been chair
man OF the Board for the past Id years
In reality, his repeated phone calls to Mrs. Tom
Angle tended to disrupt the polls which were being con-
Quoted in quiet peaceful and efficient manner Only
intelligent thought by the workers prevented wakout
after Powells phone calls
Was Elmo Powell within his legal rights to burden
the registrar with such demands? We contend that he
is not to be considered the apoweru that controls
the polls the day election We further believe
that ne not carrying out the wishes the Board of
Eectons when ne was making such demands. We think
he was fagranty displaying his dictatora powers over
Columbus County politics
gudebook for county and precinct officials pre-
pared by the Institute OF Government 1.-The conduct
OF the election machinery at the polls election day is
the responsibility of the individual registrars judges and
assistants
We can find rule or implication that Elmo Powell
mad the legal power to force the registrar change
procedure on the day of the voting.
The chairman and the Board of Elections is vested
with the power to remove official about whom there
may be doubt as to his integrity This does authorize
the chairman to make demands of the registrar regarding
the delegation of duties to selected individuals.
The possibilities of corruption too obvious one
person has the power to select the poll holders
gate their duties election day An INSCRIPTIONS per-
son could easily place his henchmen in positions of
and literally steal an election
Those four persons denied access to the voting ma
chimes by Elmo Powell were interested in the election only
every vote cast for them-no more and no less For
tunatey this desire belonged every worker at the
There is possibility that Powell had no Interior
motives in his dctatoria demands but persistent
OF election day Irregularities throughout the
in the form of afdavits to believe that his
act was far from an innocent patriotic gesture Per-
sons whose names are linked closely with campaigns
OF candidates are dom considered impartial But the
election board members should be completely dsinter-
ested parties. Mr.. Powell not disinterested
Violations occurring in other precincts are linked
with the actions of Elmo Powell Several persons are
said to have been registered at Bolton days after
registration books closed. 1t is alleged that Chair
man Powell was the nstgator of this registration which
was direct violation of the law.
Certainly this bit of dicatoria nonsense along with
other precinct controversies preceding and during Sat
urdays Primary should be enough to convince Chairman
Powell that ID is long enough to hold the office
Chairman of the County Board of Elections.
Mr.. Powell was almost left off of the Board Elec-
tons this time Except for eleventh hour political
maneuverng he would not have served during Saturdays
primary. The two Democratic members of the county
board originally approved by the Stae Board of Elections
did not include A. E. Powell Jr but his
three sent to Raleigh from which two chosen.
Even the procedure used to select the above men,
toned three had its wrinkles In executive
son the Is precinct charmen cast three by
secret ballot. total of 81 votes tailed and per-
mitted to stand Somebody's mathematics needed
revising.
Again we urge Mr.. Powell to tender his resignation
cha nnft Tho Roar IF E1opfin IN TnI,
County. His reckless chairman endangers
elections and fails to conception of the
ing privilege which is the heart of our Democracy.
We believe, whether his resignation is forthcoming
not, that Mr. Powell public apology to Mrs.
Tom Angle and her cc-workers at the South Williams
Precinct. Too, he public apology to the czenry
of Columbus County for the careless in which he
performed his duties during the recent election.
~.,1 Dat: s:u,~Ss Mall