The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-05

The result of the mass meeting OF
Democrats at the courthouse last night
for tie election of delegates to the legis-
lative and senatorial conventions was a
victory for M. c. Thomas candidacy for
the house of delegates. twas generally
understood before the meeting that j.
Allen Watts and NJ. C. Thomas were
Roanoke's candidates.
Notwithstanding that the call for the
meeting at such short notice was a sur
prise, tho largest mass meeting of Dem
ocrats for similar purpose, ever seen
in Roanoke was at the courthouse last
night. Everybody expected close
contest and the friends of each candi-
date were busy to see that delegates
were cleo ted fave able to their respec-
tive men.
The First ward was Thomas strong
hold, but the small minority waged
determined but fruitless fight
The Third ward meeting was quiet
and soon over almost unanimously
electing Il delegation that was consid-
cred favorable to Watts. The Second
ward was the decisive battlefield and
here the contest was close.
The Watts and Thomas men voted
each Il ticket for delcga tcs, there being
only few scattering ballots cast. One
man who was voted for by the Watts
tho others are supposed to be Thomas
men. The delegation in this ward is
supposed to be in favor of Watts, was
defeated by three votes
The meeting was enthusiastic, and
before the voters assembled in the court
room the rival factions were button
holing for their favori.c candidates.
Shortly after o'clock Roy j. Smith
moved TO call the meeting to order.
Chairman Thomas was sent for and
called the assemblage to order, and
stated that the first business was to
elect a chairman.
r. II. Woodrum and Thomas w. Miller
were nominated, and Mr.. Miller was
chosen chairman.
Mr.. Miller, on taking the chair,
thanked the audience for the honor
conferrt d. The representatives of the
press were made secretaries of the meet
ing.
The chairman announced the usual
order of conducting the election of
delegates, that of separating by wards
and organizing by electing chairmen
and secretaries.
The First ward took tho north side of
the building, the Second the south side,
while the Third ward was assigned to
the jury room.
The call for the meeting was read by
the chairman, who announced the num-
Der of delegates to be elected from each
ward, also three from each ward as
members of the executive committee.
THE FIRST WARD.
The First ward meeting was the live
Hest of the three. considering that from
the start the Thomas sentiment was
overwhelmingly strong. 1t put up and
elected r. III. Woodruff as chairman
over II. w. Robertson and then proceeded
to put delegates in nomination. At one
time IL looked as though the whole
ward would be nominated.
Attempts were made to choke Off the
minority, but the minority made such
vigorous protest that the attempt failed
Then the balloting began. It, was over
in about ten minutes, and il took an
hour and a half to count the ballots.
The result was as follows:
DELEG ATEs.
R. H. Woodruff. so
Nj. II. Clayton. rs
j. ii. Featherstone. Observation-Disclosures. 76
NJ. c. Thomas 76
u. =. fayne. ................. 81
w. i. HUH. ................... ~
E. L. Woodward 50
j. w. Woods. IS
W. IL. Wilkerson. .. IS
John Hart. rs
j. D. Whitescarver. ...... II