Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-23
ACROSS THE RIVER
The Campaign Against Lawlessness
in Virginia.
LITTLE PROSPECT OF SUCCESS
Election Going on in Alexandria
County Today.
G HANDLERS IN POLITICS

a cut-and-dried affair, the outcome of
which was well known beforehand and oc-
casioned no interest save among the few
heelers who were given money to spend
and the voters upon when they spent it.
The powers that, it is claimed, have really
governed the county for so long, and who
get their sinews of political war from the
policy kings in Alexandria, Rosslyn and
Jackson City, the faro bank proprietors in
the same places and more recently the
combinations which run the St. Asaph and
Alexander Island race tracks, never gave
themselves any concern about how an cleo
tion was going. for they had it fixed ac-
cording to their desires.
There is an election for county officers
in progress today across the river and
while, for the causes mentioned above the
result, it was thought today, will probably
be another ring victory, there is consider
able excitement attending the voting and
more men are crowded around the various
polling places than have been hitherto
known on such occasions.
The candidates and the Offices they want
are as fol6 VS.: r. W. Johnston, the pres
ent incumbent, and Will T. Douglass, for
commemorative attorney; w. G. Wibert
present incumbent, and Duke Torrison for
county treasurer; r. W. Veitch, present
incumbent, William Palmer and Christie
pher Costello, for sheriff In the various
districts there are candidates for the board
of supervisors, but the only contest over
the latter positions worthy of notice is
that going on in the Arlington district.
In the Arlington District.
The voting in the Arlington district is
being done at Four-mile Run. This district
comprises all the territory between Jack
son City and Alexandria and extending as
far back as Arlington. 1t usually polls
about 400 votes, giving a republican ma
jority of go
The fight today, however, is not being
waged on party lines. These who desire
continuance of the present regime in the
county are moving heaven and earth to
have Dick Johnston reelected common
wealth's attorney. 1t would naturally be
supposed that there would be equaf
desire on the part of the same people to
see Sheriff Veitch reelected also, but this
does not seem to be the case.
Against veitch.
The men who run the race tracks and
affect to despise the small gamblers who
operate in Jackson City and Rosslyn be-
lieve that Sheriff Vetch is responsible for
the great public outcry that has arisen
against the practices so openly followed
opposite Washington. They claim that
Veitch could have easily weeded out every
policy shop. crap joint, faro game and
speakeaSy in Rosslyn. Jackson City and
around the Columbia road,and thus hushed
indignant clamor and prevented criticism
of race track methods.
There is contest in Arlington district
that is interesting. Mr.. Frank Hume, the
well-known Washington grocer, but a resi-
dent of Alexandria county, and Mr.. VIM.
Duncan, are candidates for supervisor.
county supervisor is an official who directs
the expenditure of the money devoted to
Hume now holds the office. Up to
noon 200 votes had been polled, and
while Of course nothing definite could
be learned of their character, as the Aus
tralian ballot was used, it was evident
that the ring was getting its work in on
the county officers, and other influences
were bearing the supervisor tide in Mr..
Duncan's direction. Mr.. Duncan is an en-
ploye of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany, and is backed by the republican man.
ayers also.
Mr. Hume's Side of the Case.
A Star reporter had talk with Mr.,
Hume, who is of the opinion that the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad is opposing him be-
cause of the fight he has made for a good
read between this city and Alexandria,
what is known as the Washington and
Alexandria turnpike. He also said that
two colored preachers, Rev. Mr.. Hall of
Washington and Rev. Mr.. Robinson from
Alexandria. had been in the county Cor
the past three weeks trying to secure the
election of Duncan.
'sW. H. Hatch, who is the leading tenn
perance man of the county, is also work
ing with all his might for Dick Johnston
and his gang" said Mr.. Hume. The
ever, and 1 can tell nothing about the
situation just at this time Let me show
you how things are run in this county any.
way; here is letter have just received"
The following is copy of 1t:
Specimen Virginia Campaign Docu-
menH
'sThe club requests of you to be econom-
ical among the club. W. are no Duncan
men and we never expects to be. Mr..
Hume, all the club requests Of you is some
money, and what is the best you can do
for them. They all wants money.
''Mr. Hume, If you recognize this club
we will all be with you on the 23d day of
May. I will close this by saying goodbye.
signeS ed9'S :fsIs; "RiGHARD sporswooD,
Manager,
1.-The Silver Leaf Club, No l."
Mr. Hume said he did not intend to spend
one cent today, but if the people appreci-
they would elect him. He said he would
be at the polls all day to see that no fraud
is perpetrated. and that later In the day
he would be furnished with a list of Wash
had recently registered and would attempt
to vote today.
Much Excitement at BallstOn.
Over at Ballston, where a large popu-
lation centers, the polls were opened in the
house of Lewis Collins, and from sunrise
today omnibuses, carriages, buggies, waG-
ons and carts have been busy carrying
voters into the village. At 1 o'clock there
was a crowd of probably 300 men, the
blacks largely predominating, gathered as
near to the polling place as the law per-
mits. and a Star reporter found there was
a great deal of suppressed excitement
among them. One gentleman said that
everything was badly mixed and that
great many voters. both white and black,
had voted for Douglas and Palmer against
Johnston and Neitch.
County Treasurer Wibert was campaign
ing vigorously in the Ballston crowd, and
told The Star reporter that 1t would take
an all night count in all probability 10 de-
termine tine result, as there was an i'm
mense amount of scratching, and as there