Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-16
TEE RESULT, THEREFORE, IN DOUBT.
Less Than Half the Precincts Heard
from Up to 3 O'clock.
MAYOR TAYLOR APPARENTLY SAFE
Figures In Hand Put Him Ahead Of
Colonel HarwoOd-Warren, Cum
Dingham, and Garrison Seem En-
tirely Safe, While Other Contests
Are Uncertain.

The climax of the most exciting munich
pal campaign that has been held in Rich
mond for many years, was reached yes
terday In the primary held for the nom-
nation of city officers, councilmen, JUS
tees, and members of the City Commit
tee
1t was a dour and dreary day at
the outset, but this did not hinder the
voters from turning out, and during the
morning hours the polls were crowded.
Later in the day. however, the threaten
ing clouds burst and did not cease to
pour down rain until the election was
a thing of he past. The vote, taken all
round, was far heavier than it was two
years ago, and under more favorable
auspices, would doubtless have been a
record breaker.
1t was a deaf, dumb. and blind election.
At least, that is what an old politician
called it, and the Specification was so
apt, that 1t was readily accepted, and
spread like mad all over the city,
and was quoted back wherever the
question, How are things running?"
was asked.
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT USED.
For the first time in the history Of
Democratic primaries in this city, the
Australian ballot system was in force,
and it was impossible TO speculate with
any degree of accuracy as TO the trend of
affairs.
The influences Of the army of workers
that surrounded the voting places was
greatly discounted by the secret-ballot
system, but they were indefatigable,
nevertheless, in circulating the advertis-
ing cards of their patrons, and the hope
less voter had to run the gauntlet of
their assiduous attentions all the way to
the line beyond which they might not
penetrate.
With such large number Of candi-
dates in the field, voting was necessarily
slow. There were twenty-five aspirants
for the eight general Offices, and for the
Council, City Committee, and Justices of
the Peace, the tickets in the various
wards contained names as follows: Jack
son, H. Clay S5; Monroe, 2l; Jefferson,
32: Madison, p; and Marshall, "a.
Many-sided Rumor was very busy with
the names of the candidates, and it was
the exception, and not the rule, to meet
one who would not assure you that he
was leading the ticket"
MANY SMALL FIGHTS.
Yesterdays primary was a day Of bat
tie in more senses than one. A conserya-
tive estimate places the number of per-
sonal encounters at fifty, but at the Old
Market Hall, II is said that fights occurred
with alarming frequency. These little
pIeasantries" were confined to the work
ers. and only one candidate became en-
broled. This occurred at First Precinct.
Monroe Ward, but the combatants-Mr.
r. S. Brock, Jr., and Mr.. William III.
Moseley-were separated before any blood
was split.
In several of the precincts the booths
were placed on the sidewalk at some little
distance from the Judges office, and in
these the voter prepared his ballot, hand
ing it to the Judge to be placed in the
box. The arrangement was an admirable
one until the shades of evening gathered.
and then the making out of the ticket,
according to the mind Of the voter, was
with no little difficulty, for
the booths were gloomy and poorly light
ed.
CROWDS AT THE POLLS.
Besides the hustlers, there were large
crowds at all the voting places. particu-
larly at such precincts as First and
Fourth Clay and First Marshall, but
there was detail of police on hand In
every place and no one was allowed
within a goodly distance of the booths.
The candidates were loudly cheered as
they made their rounds. and the livery
stable men were not the only ones who
reaped golden harvest.
one of the effects of the long tickets
they measured eighteen inches In JEFF
fo.so. and fxCpnfv-fou I'm ClaV--haS been