Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1954-06-16

AN EDITORIAL
Just Another Mistake


A. Elmo POWELL chairman of the Columbus oo,r -,,1
OF Elections obviously when he defended his
actions the Bolton where he nstipaed m
~rs os Sf e ies persons two days after the books
soma In his statement to the last
10 this
1t was case where simple justice political
Mr. Powell Board could not foresee the
reluctance OF the Bolton Precinct Registrar B. to register
This statement another misead the public
In truth A. Ward refused anyone
race color He simply eristnts ACCORDING 70
the election laws of the State of North Carolina
u "F'e'Se against the TRIBUNE
Several Indians presented registrar in the
Bolton precinct The registrar thinking along lines that have been
e pattern IN years gone by declined Indians
days after the registration closed discussed the matter with
the registrar and learned the my advice and
nm that the law makes him the sole sualca
lions of an electo but added my advice would
suggest that simple Justice to these Indians point re-
examination Of the facts If the men were qualified
to VOTE would that they be registered
When the Board appointed the precinct it could
not foresee his reluctance register Indian Negro or ANY,
other person. But attention advised the
action thought would apology to make for nv
The Indians themselves in proper
'""e and was rot a case of forgetting the
true facts in the Only presented themselves
or TO closing OF the books His light the stu
on was noble effort but obvious permitted only
fragments of the truth to be
which he has shadows integrity of an individual
interested only in adhering the laws procedures
y l. " ard, registrar denied
to the Tribune that he refused any person regardless If
color right to register and vote njes the i
."'ie" 10 fulfill the qualifications by law.
Mr. Ward Is handling the duties O, registrar He
" c'ea In TINS capacity off and Las shown
to register Indians years gone by as Mr.
o"e harges then question the permitting The man
20 ean such position Surely Mr. Powell had some
khg long ago OF such situation if it actually existed Did
exist or was this simply fabricated inure the
reputation of citizen protecting his own osin9
we doubt that Mr. Ward has inclnation Citizens
OF the Bolton community white Negro have the highest
regard Tor the fairness with which conducted the poT
we relze that the time ripe for Mr. attempt to
place the blame else This be done There
Is too much overwhelming many good citizens
ready testify Powell to successfully transfer the
bily. ''""'''' '"e RESPONSE
We ask the public to weigh of both side. IN This
matt Below is letter from regard to Mr. Power
statement on the Bolton incident
NJ ~ June
Tabor City. c.
Dear Sir:
have just finished reading the voting rrcgu
ales mat occurred in Columbus during Primary
do not understand why Powell will irnor. the
, @ come out with the statement that he has;
what have done. ~ '' " "r "'"SF'
In ms letter to the he stated when appointed
e registrar IN Bolton Precinct could reluctance
to register an Indian, Negro, or any other person
n 'ne registration book he will find that from May L. 1851
until Ma. d. 1854 registered people three cored
and 10 Indians This does that registered
on The 18th wo days after the officially cIosc1
the advice OF Mr. Powell which he trouble
ne will go back in the book 1910 he will see
From then until May find about 20 coord m h
book he will go back about find where I reg
ered Ernest Jacobs and Jolly Jacobs Indians He will also
lind that up to May Is, about Indians registered ~
have been registrar in Bolton Precinct and on far IN.
could read and regardless of race There are sev Id
TINS precinct who cannot read decided bcy
lawyer the lawyer wrote me that he was SURPRISED hs TO see
a register these men they owned taxes and
took this letter to Mr.. Powell told me if they eou,d
quay' register them and let CO. also asked
me that transfer from mo good TIL;
was two days before the books closed " '' ~
am very sorry all this has bat onl, u,,,.d M
public to know the truth. ' " w"
Yours,