Washington telegraph., 1854-10-25
From IRE ". o. Crescent
LATE FROM CALIFORNIA.
Election Returns.
TRIUMPH OF THE KNow-NoTHINGs.

TRIUMPH or THE KNcW-NoTHINGS.
The U. S. nail steamship Empire City.
II. Windle, commanding, brings the follow
Ing news:
On the 9th instant the election for two
members of Congress, a Clerk of the ST.
prcmc Court, and members Of both branch
o. Of the Legislature, took place through
out the State. In addition to these impor-
iant posts, county Offices we're generally fill
al, and III San Francisco besides these,
municipal officials were selected. The De
mocracy ran two separate tickets In
the State. the result has been tremendous
and unlocked for Democratic victory. Den
yer and Herbert the anti-clectiOnist candi-
dates for Congress, have been elected by hand
some impurities The Democrats will have
also 4 fiir majority IN the State Legislature
In the City Of San Francisco. the result has
been such as to I'll most with astonishment
Ii was whispered about that the secret order
of Know N0fhings were organizing with
some strength in our city. but few dreamed
of the extent Of that strength as the election
exhibited it, q. X. Garrison received the
nomination for Mayor from both Wings and
Democrats, and being known to possess
considerable personal popularity, bis elec-
tion was thought secure. The day before
the election il was rumcred about that tie
Know Nothings intended running Mr.. Ste
phen r. Webb, not before prominent man,
for Mayor, and at the opening Of the polls
it was very clearly manifested that this was
no idle rumor. Voter after voter marched
Up aud deposited this ticket, and the end
vas that NH. Webb was elected by over
five hundred majority Besides this. the
Kucw-Nothings elected every man upon
their ticket, the new Council, and the whole
city government for tile ensuing year. will
Be in their hands And this was not the
only exhibition Of their power. The polls,
which heretofore lave been taken possession
uf by roWdies and shoulder-strikers, who
by acts Of violence, had generally sue
ceedcd in preventing peaceable citizens from
casting their votes. were amply protected
The professional bully was, early in the Day
intinidated by formidable array Of arm
ed and determined men, and access 10 the
ballot box was free To All having the right
to approach it.
after the polls had closed. however, it
was nvsed abroad that the most attrocious
frauds were being committed il the count
ine, hy tie judge and inspectors Of tie lst
Ward. The most intense indignation and
excitement were reused and prevailed for
\ two or three days Rumors were circulated
that Mr. Garrison, the present Mayor. and
( the Democratic candidate, was concerned
\ in tho commission or instigation of these
\ frauds. and that hc had armed wen known
and Infamous characters TO uphold and de-
/ iend the perpetrators Of them. Mayor
\ Garrison felt called upon to issue 4 card,
I denying the truth of these rlmors-ani af-
terwards, upon an Investigation made by a
committee, appointed for that purpose by a
\ large meeting Of citizens, ii appeared that
Y he was innocent Ut most III them.
Several fights took place and several per-
sons we're wounded. Attempts were made
I'D destroy the ballot boxes III some vi the
wards, and The popular indignation became
so great that the most serious consequences
were apprehended. Suspicion of foul play
wa directed III particular IN the Frst Ward
in this city. The lynching Of all the par
ties connected with the election in this lo-
cality was freely discussed and to protect
themselves cuunGns were grt out planted
at the corners Of the streets, and loaded
With deadly charges Of pieces Of iron. nails,
and every thing THAT came N hand The
returns came in. and the huow-Nothing-
achieved a triumph, having elected their
entire ticket