The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-08

Majority for the Populists-salem'
Big Vote for the Party-Returns From
the Outlying Counties-A Big Decrease
Over the Vote of 1892.
The Magic City again rolls up hand.
some Democratic majority, despite the
fact OF dissentions within the ranks and
the organized opposition of the Repub-
lican and Populist parties. Never was
Democratic victory in Roanoke more
significant. Democratic dissatisfac ton,
caused by the result Of the conventions,
Democratic apathy caused by the great
depression in the financial world, and
political Indifference caused by the
recent unfortunate trouble in the city,
combined to weaken party fealty and
Democratic success. Notwithstanding
this, the majority for the Plumed
knight of the Valley falls only few
hundred below that given to Grover
Cleveland in November, 1892.
Never before did the silken folds of
the Democratic banner wave more
proudly over victorious people. It's
meaning Is apparent 1t shows that
the Roanoke Democracy passed safely
through It's darkest hour, and that the
dawn Of it's new era of success is
brighter than it was ever before. 1t
shows that the Populist party is buried
forever in Roanoke, and IS Roanoke
was the turning point in the great tidal
wave in favor of Colonel O'Ferrall's
nomination, she also marks the point
where the Populist party makes its
rapid descend into innocuous desuetude.
The news was received last night with
great deal of satisfaction by the Dem
ocrats Of the city and until long past
midnight large group of men were
gathered in the street in front of THE
TIMES office reading the bulletins that
we're posted in the window. The reports
were also received at various social
clubs where tho members had gathered
I'd hear the good news, which was brought
in as rapidly as received over special
wires.
Throughout the day there was little
or no excitement and no wrangling ut
the polls, but on the faces of the ward
workers could be read that spirit of
grim determination that showed they
would fight over every inch of the
ground The result showed that the
great mass Of the negro vote was cast
for the Populist ticket. The most pro-
gressive and educated class of colored
people voted against the Populists, a
few OF them voted the Democratic
ticket straight and others voted the
Prohibition State ticket and for the
Democratic local candidates.
Tho 90
the Popul;sts for the benefit of the
colored vote is apparent. The work at
the polls began early. At sunrise the
ward workers were in line and the voting
commenced. The Populists were not
we'll organized but nearly all of them
worked hard. They had nothing to lose
and all to gain. Several shady devices,
that do not bear the light of scrutiny,
we're resorted to by the Populists to get
the upperhand of the Democrats.
One OF these was telegram sent to
Salem to the effect that Thomas
friends were scratching the rest of the
ticket. Mr. Thomas at once denied
this and pronounced it 'lie out of the
whole cloth"
Another trick was the circulation of
Democratic ticket" with the regular
nominees upon it, with the exception
Va WIG uamo VI JdCk WHICH was
substituted for that of M. c. Thomas.
IN THE FIRST WARD.
This is one of the largest in the city
and usually gives the largest Demo
cratic majority. The work in this ward
was we'll done, but there was no excite
ment whatever, and never over hum
dred people at the polls at one time.
IN THE SECOND WARD.
The Second ward has generally been
considered the banner Democratic pre-
cinct, the majority not being so large as
In the First ward, but the proportion is
larger.
The Populists were disconnected in
this ward, and did not present much of
a front.
IN THE THIRD WARD.
In the Third ward, Immediately after
the polls were opened, the clerks and
judges were kept busy for about an
hour, in which time $50 votes were cast.
There were scores of Democratic
workers on the ground, who remained
at their posts all day. The Populist
workers were not idle, they were there
in full force, and used their best en-
beavers to induce their friends to vote
their ticket
In this ward large per cent. of the
votes cast were colored AMI they were
considerably divided; one faction worked
for the straight Democratic ticket,
while the other worked with might and
main for the Populist ticket. After the
rush early in the morning the voting
was kept up steadily throughout the day
until the polls were closed.
THE FOURTH WARD.