Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-28
SATURDAY. ..APRlL ~, 1871
Wnrkinrs of the Primary.

Our first primary held under the recent
Act Of Assembly making frauds against
our Urinary election plan punishable just
AS they would be If committed at regu-
lar election, was very satisfactory. The
number OF votes polled exceeded that or
any former primary, and there was as
little friction anywhere as could have been
expectcd in contests of such magnitude,
pursued with the ardor and devotion
which always marks struggles for muni-
cipal nominations here.
The official ballot 0ckeD was widely
distributed through the city on Wednes-
day. and the result was that the ma
iority Of voters came 10 the polls with
their ballots prepared. They were thus
able to escape the solicitations of ticket
holders and workers"
The people were all pleased with the
requirement Of the City Committee that
the crowd OF by-standers, workers. etc,
should be kept twenty feet from the door
Of the votng-place. This regulation was
strictly enforced at all or nearly all of
the precincts. and operated so satisfac-
torily that no primary-election plan will
hereafter be considered complete without
il.
The counting OF the ballots was done
with great expedition considering the un-
usual number OF votes cast and the ex-
traordnary length of the ballot. 1t was
lucky that the city Committee had given
the judges and clerks of election as
slstance in the count. as the announce
ment of the result would else have been
delayed to late hour in the afternoon
of yesterday. AS it was, the Dispatch in
its regular city edition was able to give
an accurate prognosis of the results as
to the general ticket, and in an extra
issued at 10 o'clock supplied many de-
tails of general interest
All the present City-Hall officers who
offered for denomination were successful.
But our present Mayor and Common
woalth's Attorney declined reelection,
and our Old Treasurer died only few
weeks ago. The result of the primary as
To these three places Is that the party has
chosen Mr.. II. NJ. Taylor to succeed Mr..
Elyson, Mr.. III. NJ. Smith, Jr. to succeed
Mr. Spotswood. and Mr.. G. II. Phillips
10 succeed Mr.. Childrey. With these ex-
ceptions our City-Hall corps, SO far as
they are elected by the people, will re-
main as at present-a Democratic nominal
ton here being always considered equva-
lent TO an election
Mr. Taylor has seen much service as
a r-ember OF the Board of Aldermen; Mr..
Smith was the predecessor OF Mr.. Spots
wood as Commonwealth's Attorney. and
Mr.. Phillips resigned his membership of
the Board of Fire Commissioners TO be-
come candidate for the treasurership.
So, even the 'new men, have had eX-
perence i'll public life
We commend the ticket ] minated as
worthy Of the support of the Democrats
of this city. There is not an unsound
Democrat on it, and each nomination
having been won in fair fight, We are
bound to accept as correct the verdict
of the people. We know of no disposition
to "kick." Those who are disappointed
seem inclined TO bear their disappoint-
ment philosophically, as is their duty.
Remembering the long and heated contest
through which we have passed, We may
say that we never knew canvass to be
conducted with more Of dignity and good
feeling.
in the list of nominees for the City
Council are many men whose personal
character, intellectual strength. and bust
ness experience will be valuable in our
municipal legislature. SO, too, with the
City Democratic Committee, which, On
this occasion. for the first time in the
city's history. was elected by our voters
at a primary. The usual method has
been TO elect these committeeman at
ward meetings.
Altogether, We cheerfully accept the
nominations and elections, rejoicing in
the extraordinary vote polled, as well as
in the good feeling which has prevailed
from the beginning OF the contest, or
rather series OF contests.
Our party here was never stronger or
more harmonious than now, and the nomi-
nees of Thursday will surely be the elect
of the fourth Thursday In May-the day
when the regular election occurs.