The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
:THE ALABAMA ELECTION
Returns Indicated a Victory for tht
Democratic Ticket
CLAIMS OF THE FUSI0NISTS.

Joseph F. Johnston, the Democratic Candi-
date, Defeats Albert T. GOODWIN, Rc-
publIcan.Populist---D Claim
tho Legislature by q Two-Thirds Vote
--Fusionists Maintained They Won.
MofraoxEI7, Ala, August 4.-The latest +
returns received from the State election In
Alabama yesterday indicate the election OF
Joseph F. Johnston. Democratic candidate
for Governor, by q majority variously estl'
mated at from 81, 900 to $4,000. over Albert
T. GOODWIN, the Populist and Republican
fusion candidate. The Legislature Is be-
Ieved to be Democratic by safe majority,
and this Is regarded by the politicians as OF
great importance, as the new Legislature
will elect United States Senator to succeed
James L. Pugh. whose term expires next
March. Returns show that the voting was
fairly even In the upper or mineral section
Of the State, whore there Is more opposition
to the Administration than IN other parts
In rural districts. however, the Popultst
vote appears to have fallen of to the advan-
tage Of the Democrats, whose free silver
platform gained votes.
The registration WAS unprecedented In
many parts of the State, and the vote was
almost up to the registration. The returns
show that johnson carried almost every
county which two years ago went Tor Will
lam G. Oates.
In only three counties are losses to be
noted and only two counties are thought to
be lost entirely. GOODWIN did not carry all
the counties which went for Reuben F: Kolb
in the contest In 1894, and he gained only
two. -
Captain Johnston says that he believes his
majority will go up to near 5o,000. John b.
Knox, Chairman of the State Democratic
cratic ticket Is elected beyond doubt, aud
the Legislature Is safely two-thirds Demo.
cratic. The fusionists made desperate
effort to get the Legislature, hoping thereby
to seat Goodwin as Governor.
The Populists say they will depend on the
horseback returns, and expect GOODWIN to
show up with official figures between 1000
and 10000 msjorities, but have nothing to
base their claims on. They do not pretend:
to have any returns Of the vote, but assert
that Goodwin has carried eight counties
which two years ago went for Oates, and
lost two which gave Kolb majortties IN that
contest.
Democratic leaders say they have enough
returns at midnight TO show that nine coun.
ties which went for Kolb two years ago have
gone for Johnston.
Peyron Bowman, leading Popuhst, says
that Goodwin should be elected BY at least
20, 900 majority or the Democrats have acted
unfairly, in retaliation for which the Popu:
lists intended to form Mckinley and Hobart
clubs for the November election
In Jefferson County, the largest in the
State, the result at midnight Is rather doubt
full. Tho American Protective Association,
strongly organized, made heavy light
on the Democratic tickets on account Of
three Catholic nominees.
The colored voters in all parts Of the State
do not seem to have gone soltdly for
Goodwin as was expected. It was thought
that the colored voters on account
OF GoodwYn's vote In Congress In
favor of Murray, the colored contestant from
South Carolina, would vote almost to o man
for the fusionist candidate, but that vote has
been divided between the two candidates. 80
it would seem from returns In, Johnston
made great gains in white counties IN North
Alabama which went for Kolb IN "a. while
South Alabama did not reduce any Demo-
cratic majorlties whatever.
J. Asa Rountree, general manager OF the
State-Herald, Birmingham, Johnston's or
gan, says that figures received In the head.
quarters of the Democratic party are to the
effect that Johnston has so far carried Zine
counties that went Tor PopulSts Delore and
more are to be heard from.
Populist leaders refuse 70 concede defeat.
and reply that the official figures will change
the results. There is little danger OF the 70.
suit being changed. and all that the onieial
figures can supply Is the exact amount OF the
majority for Captain Johnson. Oates's ma
jority over Kolb, fusionist, two years ago,
was 27,352.
Jefferson County, where the result was
doubtful, gives about one thousand majority
to Johnston, gain Of s7s. Tallapoosa,
strong Kolb county In 1894, also had q
small margin for Johnston.
The Populists' strength is mainly IN the
remote country districts. The "black belt,
as far as heard from, sends in its usual
Democratic majonties. Annlsson,. Mont
gomery, Mobile, Selma and Eufaula have
given Johnston large majorties.
The election passed of quietly except In
Ironton, in Talledega County. where several
fist fights occurred at the polls. Finally, so
much dissatisfaction was manifested that
the box was thrown out and the polls closed.
It Is certain that the Democrats have the
Legislature. Many Of the strongest Populist
candidates were defeated, among them Sam
'uel Adams, to whom the Democrats practi-