Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-11
NORFOLK ITEMS
Corresponding of the Alexandrin Gazette. ]

Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette.
NORFOLK, Va, Nov. 10.--In my last the
hope was expressed that il few days good
news might DO communicated from this bo-
rough. Long ago it has reached you, and
been published in tho G. O. p. But one of
the most pleasing circumstances connected
with the result of the election here has yet
to be- told At one Of the precincts of the
4th ward, where the sons o! Ham are so
thick that white man can scarcely be found,
by some means OR ether colored republican
Judge found himself invested with authority
to inspect the roll of voters aud announce
their status. 1t soon became apparent that
the Judge was very inexpert in reading
manuscript, as well as in spelling. Some of
the republican leaders finding that every cf-
fort to accelerate his functions was only q
botheration, and that st that rate, not half
the sovereigns would be able to utter their
voices in the election, begged the Judge TO
resign and suffer moro expert hand to
take his place. This he politely declined to
do, assuring them that 'by night he reck-
oned he would he able to handle the book
right we'll" At one time a heartlcss demo.
crat by the name of Knight got o position
high up in the long line Of sombre voters,
and when his turn came he announced his
name and residence The judge eagerly
sought it under the Ms and after spending
half an hour in vain search for it, greatly TO
the amusement Of the democrat and the dis
comfit of his friends and others, the gentle
man suggested that if he would turn 10 the
KS. he might find it. BY so doing he was
soon relieved of his embarrassment and the
voting progressed. Thus the hours rolled
YEARLY BIZ, and when the polls closed it is
said there were some of the colored gentle
men still hoping to vote.
Some dissatisfaction was expressed at this
supposed trick of the willy democrats to de-
prive tho republican sovereigns Of their
privileges to vote. But when they investi-
gated the matter they found that the only
obstruction came from ffteenth-amend-
ment irrespective color or prevlous-con-
dition. dyed in the-Wool- Mahone-W ise-re-
publican performing the functions of his
Office to the best of his ability, not word
could they say. Sic transit gloriarcipublic;r
Though there seems to be great deal of
business going on here, money IS scarce and
a large class Of people complain of hard
times. The negroes look we'll and hearty,
but how thousands of them live no mortal
man can tell. How Norfolk can ever be-
come great city while carrying such bur-
then Of surplus flesh l cannot see. If some
old conjuror known TO fame were to come
among his race in the northeast part Of the
city, and scatter among them little pack
ages of scorpion tails, moccasin heads, snake
sheds, mole hair, and powdered green glass
bottles, in less than a week the brightest
day would dawn Oh Norfolk that she ever
| saw.
The democrats of Norfolk are the most
modest men in the world. In other days
when they were overwhelmed by numbers
and ANONYMOUSLY defeated, and the victory
had been won by their comrades OH other
parts of the fields, they had the greatest de-
monstrations of exultation and JOY ever wit.
messed. But now, having swept their sec
ton OF the field, they leave to others the
tender of compliments they so well deserve
HANOVER.