National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-02
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.
The Great Frauds Perpetrated in Nor
folk CITY.

folk city. t...
NoRFoLK, VA, May 81. Norfolk city is
by right Republican city. The popula-
tlon is very nearly equally divided between
white and colored. More than a fourth of
the white voters are Republican, and they
include many of the best and most inhuon-
tial citizens. The largest portion Of the
colored voters are in the two precincts Of
the fourth ward, and by system OF OBJ
structlon this vote has been reduced so
much that the Republican majority in the
city has usually been from 300 TO 400 only,
while free vote would have doubled it.
Last fall, by fraud, this majority was
taken from the Republicans and given to
the Democrats. As no important offices
were involved there was no contest and
only a mild protest against the palpable ir-
regularitles.
In the municipal canvass which was de-
cided last Thursday the Republican party
put before the people an unexceptionable
ticket, headed by Maj. II. G.. Banks, former
member OF the legislature and late school SUI
perintendent, for mayor The candidates for
sergeant, collector, and city attorney (pres-
ent incumbentsl were exceptionally strong
and were receiving much encouraging sup
port from members OF the Democratic
party. With honest judges their election
was insured. This did not suit the Demo.
cratic leaders, and they persuaded the cleo.
ton board, from whose appointments there
is no appeal, not only not to give the Re-
publicans any representatives In one.half OF
the precincts, but to appoint corrupt aud
INSCRIPTIONS judges OF election. As soon
as these judges were announced, which was
not until the morning before the election,
there was feeling OF surprise and indigna
tion throughout the community. The can
didates assembled and Joined the chairman
Of the Republican party In q protest against
the judges in four precincts, one Of these
Judges being probably the most dlsreputa-
be character outside the penitentlary in
virginia. 1t would be quite impossible TO
describe the character Of the judges, aud It
is to be hoped that the electoral board can
be punished for thus prostitutipg their po-
sition.
The result OF the election was surprise
to none, except that II exceeded in reckless
ness and rascality anything heretofore at
tempted. The Democratic candidate for
mayor was given over 100 majority In the
city that gave Blaine 402 majority.
The Republican judge In the first pre-.
cinct, second ward, did not serve and n
Democrat was put In his place, and thus In
five precincts there was no Republican rep
resentative and no one to prevent or ex-
pose fraud. In each and every one Of
these five precincts there were enormous
Democratic gains, while IN tho three pre-.
cincts In which the Republicans had rep
resentative to watch and see things fairly
done there were Republican gains. Thus !:
In the first precinct, first ward second pre-.
clint, second ward, and first precinct, third
ward, where there was one Republican
Judge each, Slade. Republican candidate
for sheriff, gained 232 on the presidential
vote, hut in the FIVE other precincts, where
the Democrats had II all their own way,
Slade lost /, 404 on the presidential VOTE
In the second precinct, fourth ward, where
there was the worst set OF scoundrels that
ever conducted an election, and where
Blaine received 497 majority, Brim mer,
Democratic candidate for sheriff, was given
a majority Of 102 votes In total Of 1856
| votes.
Some Of the colored political leaders were
bribed to work for the Democratic caudi-
dates, and their support is given as a justi-
flcation ofsthis infamous steal OF the colored
vote in the city, the papers claiming that
| the negroes voted the Democratic ticket.
When the contest is made this assertion
will be shown to be utterly false, and that
after stealing the negroes ballots they add
insult to injury by asserting that they voted
| the Democratic ticket for money. From a
close observation OF the election we feel
| positive that for every colored man that was
bought TO vote for Brimmeg FIVE Democrats
| voted for Slade. We do not think there
were over fifty colored votes for Brim-
mer. Is there any remedy for this great
| wrongp The Anderson Mel ormick bill was
devised to cover up such frauds, and since
its passage matters have gone from bad to
| worse.