Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-11-02
THE ELECTION.

virginia votes tomorrow Tor Presi
dental electors and Congressman only
and the prospect is that a very large
vote will be brought out. The canvass
has been one of the most heated in
years, and personal feeling has entered
very largely into it, especially between
the regular and the gold democrats
Both sides are watching each other
fearing some advantage may be taken
in closing up the arrangements for the
conduct of the election. The most in
teresting phase of the contest now is as
TO what part the Parker ballot law
will play in the results. This is the new
law enacted at the last session of the
legislature as substitute for the Wal
ton plan. The democrats control all
of the machinery under this law and
their opponents think this fact gives
them very considerable advantage iu
the battle, but strictly fair election is
assured.
The democrats claim that they will
secure the electoral vote by majority
which they estimate st from $4,000 up
and expect to elect solid Coogression
al delegation Of ten.
THE YELLOW SLIP No GOOD.
Tho republicans are scattering printed
memorandum to be placed in the hands Of
ilIiteratc voters. and directing said voters to
require the Judges to prepare their ballots
from the memorandum The same thing was
attempted in the spring election in 1895
The following says the Northern Neck NewS,
- letter from Attorney General Scott to q.
Conway Baker, secretary of the electoral
board of Westmoreland:
Commonwealth of Virginia,
Attorney Generals Office,
Richmond, Va, April 30, 1885.
Mr. C. Conway Baker:
Dear Sir Your letter of the 24th instant is
before me. The illiteratc voter cannot take
with him into the booth memorandum aud
upon it require d special constable to prepare
his ticket. He must conform to the laws re.
quiremcnt and demand such service as it al.
lows the constable to render, and this service
must be rendered in the mode the law lays
down and piesGribes This is my view and
answer Yours very truly,
r.. TAYLOR SCOTT"
Every Judge who acts in the capacity of
special constable should have his attention di
rected to this opinion and govern himself &c.
cordingly,
JUDGE TO ASSIST VOTER,
Under the Walton law there was special
constable appointed. whose duty it was to as.
sist illiterate or physically disabled voters TO
prepare their ballots. The Legislature at its
last session abolished that feature Of the law.
Hereafter one of the judges of election, 10 be
designated by the judges themselves, must
perform this duty. That part Of the section
of the law bearing upon this question reads
as follows:
IL. The judges of election, or a majority
of them, shall appoint and designate one OF
their number whose duty it shall be- at the
request Of any elector who may be physically
or educationably unable to prepare his ballot
to enter he booth with said elector, and rem
der him assistance in preparing his bal
lot etc
There was proposition before tho last
Legislature to give the voter the right 70
select tho Judge to prepare hi: ballot but it
was voted down and the foregoing provision
adopted.
THE STATE IS SAFE.
In speaking of the result OF to-
morr0w's election in this State. Mr.. ].
Taylor EllvS0n, inc uomocrdtlc CHAIR
man, said, in Richmond, on Saturday night:
Everything is in good shape My cores.
pondence and the news that has come to me
have been most encouraging. Our people
have done an immense amount Of work and
will do a great deal moro on election day.
Enthusiasm all through the State is undated.
Our public speakers ali testify that the inter
est was never greater nor were tho white
81, 4 ri tnd
than they are in this campaign. Our leaders
throughout the State are not ut all dismayed
at the cxtravagant claims of the opposition.
We thoroughly understand that this is being
done for effect. but the purpose has utterly
failed. never knew the party workers to be
more enthusiastic or the rank and file of the
people so certain of success as now. believe
most confidently that Virginia will give to
the democratic party an overwhelming ma
ority; that her Congressman will everywhere
receive the hearty and generous support of
the people; and that the electoral votes of the
old Commonwealth will be cast for William
Tonnip0. Prvau and rthur Sewal1