The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-10-08
Interesting Chiefly in View Of the sena-
torial situation.


torial situation.
| Jacksonville, Fla, Oct. THE count
ing of the vote of Florida is progressin g
exceedingly slow and unsatisfactory on
account of this being the first vote
under the Australian ballot law. Re-
turns are greatly delayed and thus far
are so meagre that no more can be said
than that the Democrats claim a plu-
rality Of 20, 900, while the Republicans
claim Bloxhan, the Democratic candf-
date for governor, will not nave more
than 1000 plurality, and that Sheats,
who is running for superintendent of
| instruction on the same ticket VIII
have even less. Both claims are
guesses-
At noon. returns from yesterday s
election were still very incompiee.
Eighteen counties, partly heard fl om,
gave Bloxhan, Democrat. 1o,Ooo mayor
| ity over Gunby, Republican. The indi-
ca tIons were that Bloxhan would have
a plurality of q, 900 votes in the state.
The Republicans have never made any
claim that they would carry the cleo
ton and it has simply been a question
as TO how large the Democratic plu-
raJity would be. The constitutional
amendment aboiishing October cleo
tions was ratified almost beyond eX-
ception.
From the slight returns so far receiv-
ed. it is difficult to base an estimate as
10 how the next legislature will stand
for senator, except that Senator CalFs s
followers will be greatly in the minori-
ty. The majority probably will be di-
vided between several candidates. In
Duval county, in which Jacksonville is
situated, returns show the probable
election of J. ". C. Stockton and f. w.
Pope. who are favorable to CaH.
Governor Bloxhan. in reply to a dis
patch announcing his election, sends the
following to the Citizen:
My efforts will be given 10 a continu-
ed vigorous administration, a still furth
er advance in our educational system,
strong couragement of immigra ton,
the pushing of lines of transportation
10 those sections OF the state stin re-
curing IL and the development as rap
idly as possible of the varied resources
Of Florida"
Sheats, the Democratic candidate for
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton, ran behind his ticket. but not suf-
ficiently so as to defeat him. Governor
was StS~Clcd CltIA VI C4lS N4L-
cult court OF Hillsboro county.
The Citizen, the leading metropolitan
paper of the state. today sent the fol-
lowing to the Associated Press: IN
complete returns received from eighteen
counties as to the result Of yesterdays
election give Bloxhan, Democrat, for
governor, 10000 majority over Gunby,
Republican. As compared with the vote
of 1892 this will give Bloxhan a plural
ity of q, 900 votes over all. No question
has existed as to the election OF the en-
tire Democratic state ticket. Il IS SIM
ply a question as to how large the ma
jnrity would be. Stillman. chairman OF
the Republican state central committee,
has all along conceded Bloxhan's elec-
ton, although claiming smaller major
tiles"
Jacksonville, Fla. Oct. THE re-
turns OF the state election yesterday
continue 10 come in slowly. Up to Z p.
m complete figures had been received
from only five OF the forty-flve coun-
ties, embracing "a of the 6S2 election
districts in the state These five coun-
ties gave Bloxham, Democrat, for gov
ernor. s,026; Gunby, Republican, 1,57s.
and Weeks, PopuliSt, Cos. IN 1892 the
vote in the same counties was: Mitchell
Democrat. 6.991; Boskins, Pop1Est Se7.
This shows a Democratic loss OF 9Tl,
or IA per cent, as compared with the
previous election.
So far as heard from the election
passed off with absolute quiet in every
part OF the state. The effect Of the An
stralfsn system was. as anticipated, 10
keep ilfiterate voters. particularly ne
eroes, from the polls. OF the sixty
eight members of the house Of repre-
ssntatlves the Democrats have at least
sixty and th2rty-two members OF the
next senate. including sixteen hold
overs, will be Democrats