Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-11
WYTHEvILLE "DRY."
THE FIRST GUN FOR THE TEMPER
AHcE.MEN YESTERDAY.
End Of an Earnest Fight-"No License,
In the District Wins by
Thirty-six.
Especial telegram to the Dlspatch.l

WYTHEvILLE, VA, April TO-
For the last two weeks the question OF
license or no license has been agltated
to a considerable degree in this place.
The temperance-men were earnest, ac-
tive. and enthusiastic. They held meet
ing after meeting, and succeeded in en-
listing the support Of large number OF
influential and prominent citizens. The
ladies did much to strengthen the
cause ; true they did not 90 out on the
streets and button-hole voters, but
they used all their influence in a more
potential manner. They pleaded with
their acquaintance and friends and
used such Arguments as wives, mothers,
ard sisters could frame. The pastors
Of the churches gave the great weight
Of their power and position to the
cause. Still there was no bitterness in
the contest, and party lines were ig-
nored entirely.
The advocates Of license were very
circumspect, and did all in their power
to keep down excitement and angry
controversy. They preferred still
hunt. Most of the best known citizens
were interviewed by reporters for the
local papers, and the views and opinions
thus made known were widely at va
rance. Some thought one way and
some another. The greatest interest
was felt also in the attitude Of the coll
ored voters upon the subject. The
most active advocates Of temperance in
the town were the pastors of the col
ored churches.
As the day approached nearer and
nearer that was to decide the issue the
hopes Of the temperance advocates rose
higher and higher, and they expressed
themselves as sanguine of an over
whelming majority, whilst the liquor
men were apparently respondent and
fearful Of the result. The day fixed for
the election opened up beautiful,
balmy, and bright. The sun rose
clear and warm, the grass was
fresh and green, and the bluebirds and
robins were singing merry greeting 10
the beautiful spring. Exactly at sun
rise the polls were opened and by )
o'clock over two hundred votes had
been polled. At first the votes cast
were regarded as largely favorable to
the liquor-men. and their faces began
to brighten up. They became active
and worked like beavers. Every vehicle
that could be had was pressed into SER
vice, and runners were sent 10
every direction. This continued I'M
Ill about ii o'clock, when the
country people began TO arrive and
vote. A majority of these votes
were against liquor, and now the tenn
perance shouts could be heard from
knots and groups in various directions.
BY noon over COO votes had been polled,
and yet each side was doubtful. If a
majority was claimed by either party it
was by tens. and not by hundreds. At
o'clock the country voters began to
show their hand again, and when sun
down at last closed the polls a large and
deeply-interested crowd stood around
the court house door awaiting the OIL
cial announcement. The suspense was
soon over, as aman rushed out from the
building and announced in a stentOrian
voice, Local option wins by thirty
six majority; and so it proved. The
vote was 400 for no license and 3S6
for license. The vote cast was a
large one, nearly equal to the vote
cast in the last presidential election.
The afternoon train brought in five
liquor. drummers. They were crest
fallen at the result, aud took the mid
night train for other parts.
At 9 O'Clock the steam-whistles were
blown by the temperance people in
honor Of the victory. There is great
rejoicing among them.