Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-27
DRY /" ATLANTA.
PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.

| Craze on Beth sides-sc@ncs and Incl
ser,-The Ansi-rrehibitIenIsts VIII Make
| Contest.
Especial telegram 70 the Dispatch.I
ATLANTA. Ca, November 26.-At
6 O'Clock yesterday evening the most
remarkable campaign ever waged in the
South was closed in Atlanta. II was
literally a craze on both sides, and the
gravest spprehensions were entertained
Of disorders at the polls. Atlanta's
usual good sense prevailed, and the
election was orderly to degree.
Disorderly inelinations or violent i'm
pulses on the part Of the votaries Of
either side, unless properly managed,
would have resulted in disasters. There
was, however, general good humor pre-
yailing, and the red and blue sandwich
ed in the line voted with nothing more
than pleasant chatting here and there.
A notable point was the determination
Of the voters. 4 man would take his
place in a line perhaps one hundred
yards from the ballot-box. He would
hold his place in spite Of the chilling
wind for an hour, moving toward the
poll at a snail's pace; nothing could
dislodge him from his place.
While three lines were across the
street at the courthouse the ire-alarm
rang. the engines, hose-reels, and trucks
came dashing down the street at a
lightning speed. II actually looked for
awhile as if the line would not break,
but Just as the flying horses were on
them a reluctant gap was opened just
wide enough for the engines to pass
through, and closed with unfinching
regularity the instant they were gone.
There was almost no changing Of the
votes at all. Nine voters out Of every
ten in the lines had red or blue badges,
and it was accepted as inevitable that
they would vote as they were labeled.
After various Intellectual dashes at
the lines the workers seemed to recog-
nize this, and the long line was set out
distinctly, the workers being huddled
in the angles between them. After the
polls closed IDtgnse interest centred in
the courthouse. The immense build
ing was crowded. In spite Of the nip
ping wind the stone pavement about
the building was thronged with an
anxious crowd.
Would the anti-majority at that
poll overcome the 537 majority with
which the Prohibitionists had chal-
lenged it,? That was the question
that 5000 men were asking each other.
The ants" stoutly held that it would,
and offered to back their judgment with
their money. The Prohibitionists were
evidently discouraged at the outcome
Of the engine-house poll and were fear
full Of the result. The most extrsor-
binary efforts were made to get infor-
nation. The closed windows were
besieged by frantic inquirers.
The managers yielded to the public
by announcing when 1000 votes had
been counted that the "antis" hadOnly
- majority. This result was genuine
surprise, and indicated a clear Prohibi-
ton victory. An hour later it was an
nounced that with two boxes counted
presumably two thirds of the votes
the anti-maj ority was only 900.
This left the Prohibitionists over 300
ahead, with less than 1000 votes to
count. The excitement now began to
range high. 1t was conceded that the
Prohibitionists had won the fight.
While the Prohibition leaders seemed
to appreciate the responsibility that had
come with their victory, they were ex-
hilarated over the expected result. 1t
was 1913 o'clock when the last vote
had been counted.
The doors Of the managers room
were then thrown open, and Mr.. Frank
Meyer walked out and announced that
the anti-prohibition majority at the
poll was 1926. This left the Prohibi-
tionists a net majority Of 2l6 votes.
BY that margin Fulton county had de-
clared for prohibition. There were
rousiDg shouts and songs as the figures
were called. The crowd then rapidly
dispersed.
Recorder Anderson, the chairman Of
the Prohibition Committee, this morn
ing returned thanks to J. L. Bryant,
the Republicans, and the negroes, bu.
treated the Democrats with silent con-
tempt. 1t is clear that an alliance
offensive and defensive has been formed
between the Republicans and the Pro-
hibitionists, and that the coming State
election and congressional races will be
run on that line.
The negroes were petted and courted
all day. AS an illustration, an old
negro without badge strolled into one
Of the Prohibition campaign lunch
houses yesterday. He was Immediately
set upon, covered with blue ribbons,
and sent out TO vote. As soon as he
gained the sidewalk he exclaimed :
Pore God, | don't know what dis
world is coming TO-"
White men and negroes walked
around the polls locked arms. This
morning the anti-Prohibitionists for
maily resolved to contest the election
and the constitutionality of the law as
well.
Senator Conkling is TO be asked to
represent the non-residents who wish
to take the case to the United States
courts. Prominent local counsel will
be engaged to fight the case in the State
courts.
in meeting Of the Prohibitionists
to-day Judge Lochrane made an elo-
quent speech and announced his pur-
pose Of going home and breaking up
every jug be had in the house. The
most intense excitement exists. The
city is flooded with kilograms from all |
sections asking about the result. Over
one hundred thousand words of tele-
graphic matter left the city last night. |