The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-22
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
AND CONVENTION.
A Bitter Contest in the Third-Money,
Whisky and Riots-The Second District
Polling Place Struck by Lightning.

: | anu Niots-lhc Secohu
Polling Place Struck by Lightning.
Democracy was rampant on Saturda
last. The large amount of harmony tina
was said to exist in the party did NJ
materialize. In its place much bitter
ness of feeling was found. 1t was a
early fight and short fight but mos
intense one. The wounds made durin
the few days of the row will not hea
soon.
In the Third district the contest wa
very exciting from the time the poll
opened until they closed. The polls wer
open longer than at any previous primary
the voting beginning at two o'clock AM
not closing until seven. The purchas
ables were around early. They had beef
Z, given to understand that whisky ant
SOAP would be abundant. They hun
gered for the last especially and were no
doomed to disappointment. They were
well creased. Five dollars was the price
paid in most instances. A few ''greenies'
were captured at three and four dollars
while others who held off received six
and seven. The money was paid almost
openly on the pavement in front of the
polls. When one side captured a voter
and was leading him to the polls party
on the other called TN give you six
There was some trouble over one or two
Italians whose right to vote was ques
toned. Several contests arose over
youths whose age was doubtful. One OF
the most amusing incidents of the day
was the attempt to vote a half-idiotic boy
| of 16 years. He was the very picture OF
imbecilty with his grinning simple look.
ing face and receding forehead. The boy
had scarcely intelligence enough to give
his name. An older youth vouched for
his age but the judges would not admit
the vote. A rain storm prevailed during
part of the time the voting was in pro-
gress. 1t was during the heaviest lain
that one of the most exciting incidents
happened. An attempt was made to vote
a man who the other side claimed was a
Republican. A pushing and hauling time
followed. 1t looked like a general row
would ensue but better counsel prevailed.
Whisky was given voters before and
after they cast their ballots.
The use of whiskey caused much
drunkenness and resulted in one of the
most extensive street fights in Elkton
for years. This occurred shortly after
the polls closed. Two drunken men COM
meuced to fight on Main street near the
Howard House. A number of peace
makers most of whom We're more or less
intoxicated attempted to interfere. The
result was that the peacemakers were
soon fighting. Considerable bloodshed
resulted. Drunken mems cries resounded
on all sides in the crowd. 1t was surg
ing mass of excited men around the How
ard House for over half al hour. Messrs.
K D Rowland and Joseph Hinchlffe
were compelled to close their stores for
over twenty minutes. Had the shutters
not have been closed quickly the window
glass would have been shattered. The
baiEff made one arrest but afterwards
released the man. One Democrat who
was greatly disguised said he would not
vote at another primary.
OF the two tickets in the field in the
;r,iI i'm no into af
John s. Writ for the State Senate and
the other contained the names of friends
of State Senator Clinton Mccullough
who desired another term. Mr.. Consta-
BILE supported Mr.. Writ.
The vote was as follows:
CoNsTABLE-WIRT TICKET.
Reuben E. lamar, $50: Morris Dunbar.
PIT; Samuel J. Keys, 276; David Hart
nett, $50; Alfred Wetherill, 27S.
MCCULLoUGH TICKET.
DR.. II. H. Mitchell, 236; John Ken
nedy, 231; Thomas Drennen, 23l; Harry
Garrett, 232; John McCauley, 233.
Average majority for the Constable
Writ ticket 45 votes. The result was
somewhat of a surprise. The victors
were very much afraid that they were
beaten when the polls closed. The de-
fested. on the other hand, were confident
of victory.
1t had been arranged for the candidate
for sheriff from this district to be selected
by popular vote.
The names of the three candidates,
Messrs James A. Lewis, VIM. T. Lee and
James P. Merritt were printed on the
tickets The result was: Lewis. 216; Lee,
1876, and Merritt, 1873. On the Constable
Writ tickets Lewis received 141; Lee,
l04, and Merritt, SO. On the McCul
Tough tickets Merritt received 80; Lewis,
II, and Lee, So.
IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS.
In the First district two tickets were
in the field both composed of friends of
Messrs. Constable and Writ. One was
favorable to James P. Mccoy for legisla-
tive honors while the other was for Thos
Pearce for the House of Delegates and A..
T. Deshane for County Commissioner.
In poll of about 300 the Pearce- De-
shane ticket had majority of 1902
In the Second district the delegation
elected was composed of friends of Mr..
Writ and Mr.. Constable. In this district
the polling place was struck by light
ming while the ballotlng was in progress.
The building was somewhat damaged.
The voters. judges and clerks rushed out
Mr.. John Milburn was somewhat stunned.
In the Fourth district delegation
favorable to Hester Hess. Esq. for
State Senate was elected without opposi.
ton.
| In the Fifth district friends of Mr.. Writ
were elected.
In the Sixth district delegation was
selected containing friends of both john
G. Hindman and ]. Frank Kirk, caudi
dates for sheriff.
| The delegates elected in the Seventh
district were in the interest of James T
Graham for the State Senate.
| Friends of Mr.. Graham also contested
the Eighth district against the Crothers
wing. In this district Austin L. Croth
ers had announced himself candidate
for the House of Delegates. The Croth
ers ticket won by majority of 81 votes
| Much money and whisky wera giyeI