Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-27
A WET WATERLOO.
"DRYr DEFEATED IN RICHMOND BY
MAJORITY OF 6.esi.
The Capital Of the Old Dominion Puts
Her Foot Very Heavily on
Prohibition.

Yesterday was Easter Monlay and
election-dsy combined. Usually the
holiday is the signal for the departure
from the city Of almost innumerable
fishing, picnic, and other excursion
parties, and while there was no great
breach in yesterdays observance Of it,
in the groups leaving the city there was
an unwonted absence of gentlemen OF
the voting.age, and the youths between
fifteen and twepty-one years had an uu-
precedentedly large field for attentions
to the fair sex. Most voters stayed at
home to vote, but some rose early,
voted, and joined friends who were
seeking rural retreats, where to breathe
the earliest perfumes Of spring and TO
angle after the luscious but elusive
perch or the game but wary bass.
II was not an election for President
of the United States; it was not a
gigantic struggle to decide the govern
ment Of Virginia it was not an ex-
preston Of opinion upon the fiDality
Of the deot settlement; nor was it 3
neck-and-neck race for the control OF
the municipal machinery Of Richmond.
1t was . locsl-aptian- -electioR.r For
the first time in the history Of Virginia.
as roysl colony OF sovereign State, city
people were invited to the polls to ex-
press their opinion whether in this cor
porstion for the two years ensuing
licenses should be issued for the sale Of
intoxicating liquors.
For many years few counties Of the
State have been permitted to say BY
popular vote whether within their
bounds the sale OF liquor should be
licensed. Last summer General Ma
hone put plank in the Republican
platform promising the ike favor to all
communities wishing it. The Demo-
cratic party followed with something
similar in their platform, and, having
elected a majority Of the members Of
each branch OF the General Assembly,
they proceeded to execute their pledge.
So "local-option law " was passed.
Business here began to suffer from the
uncertainty prevailing, and, as the pro-
hibitionists made no move to petition
for an election in Richmond, the "antis"
did.
The necessary number OF signatures
were soon obtained and Judge Atkins
ordered the election for April Goth.
The Liquor Dealers Protective Asso-
citation led off in the battle, and made
capital hits by pledging their influence
to secure the observance Of the hitherto
ignored law prohibiting bar-rooms sell
iig liquor on Sunday, ard by resolving
that they would not avail themselves Of
the privilege Of paying their State taxes
in deprecated coupons, but would pay
in money.
Later on two splendid meetings Of
businessmen we're held az Mozart
Academy, ard resolutions were adopted
ccDdemustory Of prohibitionism. On
the other hand, the prohibitionists hal
almost daily. The terrors Of
were vividly depicted.
They were able to command the ser
vices Of many orstors-Senator Colquiit
and Dir. Hawthorne. Of Georgia, promi-
ent among them, and nearly all the
Ieachers--white and colored-were
utspoken for them. At the temper
nee meetings there were usually large
audiences, and it was expected at one
ime that they would De able TO give
the "sntis " stiff fight.
At one period it was confidently be-
Iieyed that the colored people were
going to vote dry almost unanimously;
but circular representing that ifliquor
was prohibited the next move would
be to prohibit tobacco had a wonder
'ul effect upon them, especially upon
he thousands who gain livelihood in /
he tobacco-factories. The &" dry
,eople found their greatest weakness /
n their inability TO consolidate the /
hurch-membsrs' vote in their favor.
)nce they probably hoped to get nearly /
III the churchmen-white and black. |
-ater they would have been glad to
NOW they could get one half OF them.
rhe result proves that more church
members voted -. wet" than L" dry"
Last week the "wets" were seen
o be gaming rapidly, but in their
widest dreams they never imagined
hat they would win such a victory
IS perched upon their banner yesterday.
BY O'Clock A. NJ. the dry" men
we're utterly hopeless; by 10 they
we're Disguised. After that they had
70 heart at all for the fight; and though
nany Of them continued to stand TO
heir posts at the polls, wearing
heir blue badges and waving their
ickets, they could no more stay the
opular tide than they could check the
ow of James river TO the sea.
The voting yesterday as at all cleo
ions held in yirginia) was by Secret
allot, but it was nevertheless perfectly
racticable to keep tally of the vote.
III you had TO do was to watch the
otter as be approached the polling
lace and see whether he took a ticket
.om wet" or dry" man. In
cry rare instances, indeed, did voters
are TO conceal how they were voting,
nd so the state Of the polls was sscer-
lined with considerable accuracy.
INCIDENTS.
The wet people we're finely organized
II the contest, and had at the polls
en who were well acquainted with the
,ters. Many Of their representatives
ere old csmpaigners. and each Of them
ore 3 red badge. There were also at
Ich Of the polls men who are engaged
the liquor business; also, many Of
eir business-friends who are in no.
ise identified with the traffic. At their
on Broad street, were re-
lived at intervals during the day re-
rns from the different precincts as to
c state Of the polls.
When the earliest returns were footed {
everybody was surprised at the mag
tude OF the victory. As fast as the
.ures were received at headquarters {
ey were posted. About midday the
vets" commenced to claim the city
from 5000 10 6.0o0 majority. {