Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-11-07
Progress OF the Election.

AN UNPRECEDENTED VOTE BEING PoLLED-A
DISTURBANCE IN THE TENTH wARD-oNE
DEPUTY BEATEN AND THREE OTHERS AR
REsTED-THE MAYOR INTERFEREe.
The polls opened this morning, between
8 and 8 o'clock, the most of them about
half past 9 o'clock, others possibly few
minutes earlier or later. AZ each of the
polling places a rush was made by the vot-
ers to cast their ballots early, and up to 10
o'clock the ballots went in rapidly.
For the first hour perfect order pre-
vailed, except at the First Ward polls, where
little collision occurred between the Dep
uty Marshals and the special police, about
keeping passage way open to the window.
Some pulling and hauling occurred but no
blows were struck and no arrests followed,
The most serious trouble of the day oc.
Cured at the Tenth Ward polls, caused it
is said by the interference of one of the
regularpolice officers Mayor Whiteley being
at the polls in his carriage it is said har-
angued the police and advised them to hold
the polls. During this time Captain Sam
uel j. Wood deputy, but who had no
badge on, was knocked down and kicked,
and three of the Deputy Marshals were ar
rested and taken to the City Hall. About
the same time couple of Deputies
of the Fourth Ward had just ar
rested man for an attempt
Sixth street to the Custom Honse, Mayor
Whiteley came up and catching hold Of the
prisoner went along to the District Court
Room, which gave rise to the report that
the Mayor had been arrested. While going
up the stairs of the court room, John
O'Byrne, Esq. had Joined the Mayor to act
as his Counsel and when about to enter
the room he was met by William L. Heal,
who pushed him back, telling him
he had no business there.
A compromise was then effected be-
and they accompanied by William @. Spru-
ance Esq, District Attorney and Chief
O'Toole, got into a carriage and visiting
the respective polls, told the Deputies and
Police, to make no arrests except for disor-
derly conduct and illegal voting. The three
Deputies arrested were released.
During the forenoon, several parties were
arrested by the Deputies for illegal voting,
and conhded in the custom cells, and sew
eral colored persons we're arrested by the
police and confined in the City Hall cells
for voting illegally at the 'Little Election"
but none Of the colored men, as far as we
could ascertain, were arrested for illegal
voting day.
hOSObAmEHA UT Ihh IttOOblE-A EEAOhAltlIh
SOLUTION GOOD SENSE PREVAILS.
In the midst of the excitement, it was
difficult to ascertain the exact character of
the hitch between the United States and
city authorities. The facts are, however,
these Mayor Whiteley was taken into
custody by U. s. Deputy Marshal, and
brought to the U. s. building at 9th and
King SITS. There an interview took place
between himself and Mr.. Spruance, the U.
s. Attorney, (who had gone, early in the
day, to see the Mayor, but had failed to
find him. After discussion, the Mayor
yielded in his announced determination to
have all Deputy Marshals arrested, and it
was agreed:
l. That Deputy Marshals and special po-
lice should all remain at little distance
from the polls, not obstructing the access of
voters. If the election officers desired, they
might aid in forming a line, 80 that voters
could more readily come up.
2.-That neither class of officers should
arrest men who were simply approaching
the polls to vote, unless one of the election
oficers-either U. s. Supervisor or an In
spector-direeted it.
3.-That if, after man had voted, either
class of officers believed he had done 80 il
legal, they might take him into custody on
their own information.
This was the substance Of the under
standing arrived at, and the Mayor, Mr.
Spruance, Chief O'Toole, and Marshal
Dunn then visited all the polls and notified
the election officers and persons outside of
its character. Everybody heard it gladly,
and it was only the subject of regret that
the Mayor should have takon any stand
against respecting the U. s. law at all. We
now hope, as every good citizen will, thaG
there will be no disturbance or trouble any
where, and that the day will pass off quiet
ly.
A LITTLE BREEZE.
While the Mayor was at the U. 8. build
ing, John O'Byrne, Esq, came up, evident
ly much excited, and was pushing into the
crowd, when Deputy Marshal VIM. L.. Heal
ordered him to stand back, and put out his
hand. Mr.. O'Byrne then made complaint
against Heal for assault and battery. and the
latter appearing, gave bail for hearing,
The following was the vote in the Wards
named: 7th, 1915 o'clock, 491; 9th, 12 IS
O'Clock, 487; 4th, 10 AZ o'clock, 473; Sd, 1
O'Clock, 474; 9Th, 12.45 o'clock, $40 votes.
Men are voting to- day who have not done
so for years, and there are statements that
many who were heretofore accounted DEM
ocrats, voted Republican ballots, openly.
At noon, Republicans were in a good