The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-08
czAn AI'cIosKE

William +. Nc Closltey, was the
Democratic inspector at the polls OF
the second district, Fifth ward, with
William s. Hopton Democratic Judge,
and William W. Knox Republican
judge. AS soon as tho polls opened
McCloskey commenced to challenge
colOred voters, and when they object
ed, told them TO see Clerk of the Peace
Biggs, and secure voucher that they
were on the assessment lists. Some
OF the men did as directed, but upon
going to the Court House failed to find
Mr.. Biggs. When the men returned
and reported that they were unable TO
find the clerk. and were again refused
the right to vote. they naturally be-
came angry, and insisted on their
ballots being received.
Some of the men offered to swear to
thnlr right to vote. kit McCloskey re-
fused to even allow them to do that.
BY this time thore were fully thirty
persons at tho window, about one half
OF whom were colored men. When
they found that McCloskey was deter
mined not to accept their votes, they
became greatly excited, and arush was
made for the window. Just at this
time some one on the outside pulled
tho window down and declared that no
more votes should be taken until those
of tho men who had been refused were
accepted. The window, however, was
only down for few minutes, and when
1t was again holsted, MoCloskey was
not In the room. 1t was afterwards
learned that he had struck bee line
Tor the ofilce OF the Department oi
| Elections.
Judges Knox and Hopton were still
in their seats, but refused to accept
any votes. Benjamin Nields, Esq,
came to the window and advised the
judges to proceed with the election,
and rendered his vote and tax receipt
Knox was willing to go ahead, but
| Hopton positively refused, until Nc
| Closkey should return.
About o'clock Andrew G.. Wilson
and Secretary Holeomb OF the Depart
ment of Elections arrived. Mr.. Wilson
directed Judge Knox to take the In
spectors place and proceed with the
election. There was some delay al
first caused by the election Officers
compelling negro to swear that h(
had paid his tax, etc.
John j. Gillride was put in as Judge
in knox's place, and he continued t.
act as inspector The voting ther
went on, and there was no further
trouble worth mentioning.
There was also considerable trouble
In the Sixth district OF the Fifth ward
and there was a continual excitement
around the polls all day.
The polling place was In the hous,
No. 1928 West Eighth street. dlreetl,
opposite the centre of Franklin Stree
Park. The officers of the election
were: Frank d. Carpenter, Democrat
inspector, Charles f. Thomas, Repub
llcan, and Richard A. Grifiith, Demo
crat, judges; George Murphey, Demo
crat, and William p. Voshell, Repub
lican, clerks The Democratic chal
lenger i9 the room was Joseph l.. Car
penter, Jr., and the Republican chal
lenger was Joseph L. Martin.
1t had been whispered around thai
Joseph l.. Carpenter. Jr., and young
Mr." Frank b. Carpenter, had an
nouneed their intention Of refusinq
the ballots Of sixty colored men, an
tho more this matter was talked over
the greater became tie excitement
The election was held In the parlor ol
I the house in which there are Two win
dows, and the ballots received through
the window noal est tho front door
There Is porch In front OF the house
on which there was a large lerowd