Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-04
VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
An Exciting Contest in Petersburg
Republican Gains.

An Exciting Contest in Petersburg
Republican Gains.
PETERSBURG, VA, May 2S.-No
election that has taken place in
Petersburg for years has awakened
such intense interest as that which
occurred yesterday, when the va
rious city officers, from mayor down
to justices of the peace and mem.
bers af the City Council, were voted
tor, and the result of which Is not
vet known. The returns from the
Sixth ward have not yet been count
ed. Just after the polls in this
ward had been closed last evening,
Mr.. Van Auken, one of the Repub-
lican candidates for the City Conn
Gil from that ward, requested that
two representatives of the Demo
cratic ticket and q like number OF
friends of the Citizens ticket be
permitted to witness the count, so
as to remove all suspicion of fraud
on the part of the judges of election,
all of whom were Democrats but
one. The request being refused
three Republican office holders, in
Guiding the high constable Of the
city, obtained key TO the back
door, and in this way effected an
entrance into the voting precinct,
where the ballots were being count
ed. The judges of election ordered
these intruders to leave, whereupOn
angry words followed, and in short
time a large crowd was in the
room. Pistols and knives were
drawn, and but tor the prompt in
reference of bystanders serious
and bloody affair would doubtless
have occurred. In consequence Of
the violent and threatening attitude
of the crowd, the judges declared
that they would not count the bal
lots, and the ballot boxes were
sealed up in the presence OF the
crowd and brought to the court
house, where a strong guard kept
watch over them all night and to-
day. The Republicans charge that
fraud has been perpetrated in this
ward, and the probabilities are that
the election will be contested and
the matter taken to the Court Of
Appeals. While the voting was
proceeding at the First precinct of
the First ward, one of the judges
left and remained absent for two or
three hours, and on this account
the vote in this precinct, which
gave a Republican majority, will
probably be contested. A confer
ence of Republicans was held to.
day, at which Senator Malone and
CAPTAIN John s. Wise were pres.
ent. They discussed what action
to take to prevent the returns from
the Sixth ward being thrown out,
which, if done, will elect X. NJ.
Doble, Democrat, candidate on citi-
zens' ticket for mayor, and w. b.
McIIwain, Democrat, candidate on
citizens ticket for commOnwes this
attorney, and several members of
the City Council. There are va
rious speculations as to what Will
be done in the matter.
RICHMOND, May 2S.-The cleo
ton in this city yesterday has re-
suited in the overwhelming defeat
Of the Democratic nominees. Lee
.Dem.), for city sergeant, was de-
Ieated by Smith 1nd.) by MAORI
-y of over 1900. The board of al.
lermen stands nine Democrats and
nine Independents; common council
nine Democrats and twenty-one In
dependents, making an lndepen-
lent majority oftwelve on joint bal
OF. The election was a crushing
blow to the Democracy, and Will
'esult in a pretty general change |
Il the numerous offices IN the city, |
including the heads of several i'm
)Ortant departments.
STAUNTON, VA, May 2S.-At tho
election on yesterday
1876 votes we're cast, each party |
loing its utmost to bring out the
'oters. The result is the election
f Jacob YOst for mayor by 80 ma
GRITTY; A. G. Braxton for common
Vealth's attorney, Arista Hoge tor
treasurer, w. ID. Runnels for ser
.eant, and George A. Hutchinson for
In the city council only
wO of the old members are return
d. Four out of six anti.primary
Democrats are elected justices.
WINCHESTER, VA, May 2S,-This
ity elected yesterday Republican
reasurer and sergeant, and a Dem
cratic clerk of the court. The city
ouncIl stands: Seven Democrats,
our Republicans, and one tie.
'he returns not yet canvassed elect
:. A. Gralchen, Republican, mayor
y one majority. The new water
'Orks proposition received but l47
Otes,
NORFOLK, VA, May 2S.-This
ity is Democratic by four or five
undred majority. Portsmouth IS
lso Democratic. A small vote was
oiled in each place.
LYNCHBURG, VA, May 2S.-The
democrats carried Roanoke city,
a., yesterday, with the exception
one councilman.