The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-11-18
1Gnnulilnicnted.l

Nero SUFFRAaR.-Chas Il. Johnston ESQ., the
efficient Assistant Superintendent of the Freed
mems Bureau of Norfolk county, has Just given
to the colored people an opportunity to try their
skill in an election, by voting for representative
to the Court of Cancellation, proposed by General
Howard. The election took place at the Cathe-
rine street church, Norfolk, on Monday night, and
at the Methodist Church, Portsmouth on Tuesday
night The two candidates were Mir. Calvin
Pepper and Mr.. B. w. Bond The excitement
ran high, and Sambo showed that it would not
take long for him to equal the bloody sixth ward
men in pulling wires In Norfolk, Mr.. Pepper
had everything his own way. His followers were.
well drilled, and the darkies were led like sheep
to the slaughter by few blacks who boosted
''uor ct pr@terca niha Peppers party carried,
the organization and got Bond-alas, for Bond
to speak first. Bond was modest-bad for be-
ginner In politcs-and in speech of ten minutes
showed that he was kindly disposed toward the
negro, and was willing to aid them in any reason
able way. Pepper followed in speech of nearly
an hours length, in which he peppered Bond all
he could, and then claimed to have suffered per-
secutions and almost martyrdom for the good of
the coored race. He claimed that it was neces-
sary that lawyer should occupy the 'posish,"
in order to cope with the well-cultured and cum
ming Lamb, who, it was stated, was to represent
the poor white people of Norfolk county. The
voting then commenced, when the committee on
election stated that Mr. Pepper had received 1872
votes and Mr.. Bond only IA
On Tuesday the scene shifted to Portsmouth,
where Bond evidently had more friends, or had
been learning, d6 hoste, which fact Pepper hear
ing, marshalled his forces from Norfolk to the
number, 1t is estimated of nearly one hundred,
and when the meeting began, it seemed as if some
of the Peppery men were mt so fond of free
speech of free negroes they attempted to stihe
the voices of the Bondites. But order was finally
brought out of chaos and Mr.. Pepper was called
upon to address the meeting, which he did in a
less Objectionable manner than on the preceding
evening. Bond followed Pepper, and appeared to
be determined to make up the lost ground of the
Norfolk meeting, for he struck his opponent some
hard blows, which brought the pepper to his face
and furnished gratuitous sweat. Norfolk friends
came to his aid one by the name of Williams
colored, with big body and bigger voice, and
another by the name of Baynel, coored, little
man, but whose diminutive stature was made up
by his vocal organs These two defed Pep
per, pitched into Lamb, and told Bond that, al
though he was good fellow, and good looking,
yet he couldn't come in. 3t@e(
Then came the election-and oh, Fernandy of
New York, come down and take lessonl A
complete mass surrounded the ballot boxes, with
dealening cries of Pepper! Bond Bond Pepper |
How many times each one voted, and how many
votes each one put in at a turn, judge we from the
announced result. Out of colored population of
{, 800, men, women and children, notwithstanding
the number in the army and those whose occupa-
ton kept them from the meeting, 504 votes were
cast, being l08 more than cast in Norfolk on
Monday night. Of the 504 voted, 1872 were for
Pepper, and l22 for Bond. The Properties asked
to make it unanimous, but the Bondites couldn't
see it. Thus endeth the first lesson in the negro
suffrage question.