Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-17
WAITED FOR THE LAST RETURNS.
A Good Crowd Remained Until the
Result Was Certain.

/
| 1t was at about Z O'clock Tuesday night
| when the crowd began to assemble in
! Sanger Hall to hear the returns, and II
was almost exactly twenty-four hours
later when the crowd and the committee
finally went away with the work COM
plete. 1t became a test of physical
strength, such long waiting for the re-
suit, but 200 men stood IL like heroes
There was hardly a man Of those who
were present when the returns from the
last precinct were read who had not
been awake for thirty-six hours, but in
terest was every whit as great as when
they entered the hall the night before
eager to learn the result. and, perhaps.
many hoping it would not be so long in
doubt as was generally predicted.
INTEREST TO THE LAST.
Interest would have greatly waned, Of
course, when 1t was seen that so many
OF the Offices were decided, practically,
though the returns were not complete,
had it not been for the fact that the
figures at noon gave Mr.. O. a. Hawkins
the lead over Mr.. Robert b. Munford
for Commissioner of the Revenue This
created widest enthusiasm among the
formers friends, and uneasiness in the
The waiting was not patient. While
several sought retired corners of the
room or the seclusion of the wings on
the stage to indulge i'm a quiet snooze,
the great majority Of the audience re-
mained standing, eXcitedly discussing the
prospects of the two candidates, and
eagerly watching for the arrival Of the re-
turns from First and Fifth Clay, the
precincts which were to cast the die.
a FIVE-HOURS' WAIT.
The wait was long ono Nearly five
mortal hours dragged by before addi-
tional news came. Ii was 515 when a
commotion at the door caused somebody
to shout, There's Fifth Clayr' The
rush forward was so great that many
crowded onto the stage, and 1t required
the united efforts of several sergeants-at-
arms to remove them.
1t was then some time before the Sec
retary could proceed TO announce the
vote, so great was the confusion, and
when at last he began, and had reached
the names Of Munford and Hawkins,
showing that the latter's lead had nearly
doubled, the cheering Of the Hawkins
men was so loud and long continued that
il looked as though it would not cease,
and, indeed, did not while the remainder
of the precincts vote was being an
nounced Nobody seemed to care TO hear
more.
1t would be difficult to imagine more
excited audience than were those 2U0
while they waited to hear
rom the First Few thought OF talking |
in a tone other than their loudest, as
predictions, supported by arguments |
based on hasty mental calculations, were |
hurled back and forth.
1t was only fifteen minutes later that |
4 yell which shook the building an
lounced that First Clay had arrived, and |
another rush for the stage was made,
which the sergeant-at-arms and assist
nts repelled only with difficulty.
When silence sufficient to permit the
oudest voice of the secretary TO be heard
ully ten feet away had been secured, he
egan to read the returns. The order
vas almost perfsct when he reached the
-ote for Commissioner Of the Revenue.
A FINAL OUTBURST.
1t was but an instant ere the crowd
ealized that Munford had snatched vic
ory from the very jaws of defeat. and
hen bedlam broke loose. 1t seemed as
f the crowd made one final. supreme ef-
Drt to raise the roof or shatter the Win
ows by one mighty concourse Of sound.
In five minutes the hall was empty
ave for the members of the committee
n the stage completing the tabulation
( the returns, and probably a dozen men
,ated near the stage quietly discussing
he result.
In an hour the committee had com
leted its calculations, Secretary Cor
IN had formally read aloud the names
{ the successful candidates, and the
cary conductors of the Democratic prl-
lary had gone homeward.