The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-19
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.


A Eiectlen Almost Certain to be Held-Dfvi-
SION or the Two PartIes-The Non-voting
Negro Elenent-The Congressional Dis
srscts-How They Arc Likely 10 Go-But
Listle Chance for the Rsdicsis In Alabama.
MOBILE, Oct. IL, 1858.
Contrary TO general expectation Mr. Miller, secre-
sary Of state ana superintendent Of Registration
under the law, has acted with commendable prompt
ness appointed registrars for every county In the
State and issued series OF instructions looking to
fair and prompt registration Of voters 1t Is also
stated that most Of his appointees men who win
expedite the work ana thus enable the voters to be
III ready by the 81 Of November next Itthus seems
certain that an election will be held, and " the re-
turns be honestly given there be but one result
Under military rule 5000 whites and $4,000 blacks
were registered the latter being greatly in excess Of
the number Of negroes OF lawful voting age.
1t ia not believed, even by the radicals
themselves, that over $4,000 negroes will register
this time each planter being the watch for those
under twenty-one years Of age. The number Of
whites registered last year does not truly represent
their strength In 1860 Alabama polled 10000 votes
at the Presidential election and 10000 on the Sc
cession question, SO that, including those who re-
fused to register and those who were disfranchsed
under the reconstruction laws, as well as those who
have moved to this State since the war ended, and
the claim seems feasible that there will be about
100000 white votes registered and poed this year.
At any rate 1t Will not fall below 100000, and even
the negroes succeed In registering many voters
as they did under the Freedmen's Bureau auspices
they will enter the contest at least 900 In the MI
pOrty Granting, then, that total OF 900 votes
are cast on the taird day Of next month it becomes
evident that the democracy have the best chance.
Not only are they better organized than the radicals
but they nave better managers and Will spend plenty
OF money to influence the negro element either
into voting the democratic ticket II 1t
insists upon voting or to keep away from the polls
entirely. AS Tor the whites, it seems certain that
only those who cannot rise from their beds will keep
away from the polls Except in two districts where
the whites are IN an overwhelming majority, have
been in every Congressional district iii Alabama, and
believe that the vote win result sSnr,uinu Ia
this:-
.., wnt,e BACK: Total
Democratic vote. 49,. $4,000 10000 loo, 90
Radical vote.... 900 60,o0o $4,000
The estimate OF me white radical vote is very
large, probably 5000 too many; but as Governor
Smith Insists that Grant and Colfax will get large
figures as above. The black vote for seymour anu
Blair may be reduced IL The democratic leaders In
this part of the State pursue their present foolish
policy Of advising the negroes not to vote
at all. This advice does very well when the
darkies are determined not to vote with the whites,
but when given to those that are democratic 1t is
ridiculous. 1t Is urged by the whites thai the state
Is sure to 90 or Seymour and knowing this they do
II then the counsels OF these prevail, the ma
t0rity may he reduced to 10000. and perhaps less.
voting. Add ten or dlteen Thousand more to their
number, and although the democrats still carry the
state yet their foolish leaders sacrifice two Congress
sional districts beyond doubt and place third in
jeopardy The districts are so arranged that two
have large negro majorities, two are largely white,
while the remaining two are closely divided AS
the chances now stand the democracy are sure Of
Tour II the negroes vote direct, while the other two
shough that o IS very doubtful a the novot H
policy Is carried out the radicals will carry the fourth
district certainly, and are given fair chance for
another. Two they have not the slightest hope OF
carrying. Conversations with numerous citizens con-
vince me that the policy OF the party leaders here will
huenced Co do SO will vote the democratic ticket
direct The delegation likely to be elected Will,
democrats think they will carry all the districts, but
that Is extremely doubtful. The Mobile and Mont
aud il the radicals fan to carry them the carpet.
baggers may as well go back to New England and
1t makes White man shudder to think Of the vote
I'm Marengo county, where the negroes have 3,400
majority; in Dallas, where they are 400 ahead; and
In Montgomery, 4, 400; Greene and Hale, 5000; Mo-
bile, 2,00o LOwndes 5000, DC. The democrats have
but one chance OF carrying these two dusky districts
and that depends upon the registration list II they
persuade 5000 10000 negroes In each OF the
districts not to register the maorities against them
will be so reduced that, by desperate effort, they
may win. Whether they can do this or not only
tine can determine.
Unless open, shameless fraud Is perpetrated, the
radicals cannot carry Alabama. AS In Georgia some
OF their leaders hard after dark, and are max
ing strong efforts to carry three OF the Congressional
districts. But most OF them openly declare their be-
ei that tEe electoral vote OF the State will be cast for
seymour and Blair, and 80 believing are not making
very strenuous exertions for Grant and Colfax The
only consolation they feel comes FROM their faith that
matter how the southern States goGrant Is certa n
70 be elected, together with another radical Con-
gress which win so rereconstruct the South that their
lease OF power will be renewed for an indefinite pc
rod of time. This OF course does not alter the facts
OF how Alabama win vote on the Sd of November.
Whether the eight electoral votes OF this State help
Seymour or not matters very little IL they do not
elect him or aid in doing So