Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-05

The State Of Virginia yesterday elected
ten representatives in Congress- From
the returns received and estimates as to
the counties not reporting, 1t is certain
that nine OF the ten Democratic omi-
nees nave been elected by majorities
ranging from 5000 to 1000. One Repubi.
can. Colonel Campbell Slemp, in the Ninth
District. appears on the showing made by
the incomplete and estimated returns to
be elected over Hon. William F. Rhea,
! Democratic incumbent, but this is not
conceded yet by Mr.. Rhea. and may be
shown to be erroneous by fuller returns.
There is no shadow of doubt of the cleo
ton Of the other nine Democrats, all of
whom have handsome matorities.
This is the first election held in the State
under the operation of the suffrage clause
of the new Constitution, greatly restrict
ing the electorate by eliminating SIS per
cent of the negro voters, and probably Is
per cent. of the whites. It was foreseer
that the elimination of the negro voters
would harm rather than help Mr.. Rhea.
who seems to be defeated in the Ninth
District. His is a district with very few
negro residents, and the operation of the
new suffrage clause and registration pro-
visions, has been to cut off as many. per-
haps more, Democrats than Republicans.
Furthermore. there was strong prejudice
to the new Constitution in the Southwest,
and it was expected that the Democratic
vote might show losses there. 1t is al
ways, even under the most favorable con-
ditions, rather close.
The Tenth District heretofore close.
has been made safely Democratic by the
striking from the rolls of voters Of many
negroes in Allegheny, Botetourt. Rock
bridge, Staunton, and the counties east of
: +, Blue Ridge, especially Buckingham.
Il wanna. AppomattoX, and Cumberland
Mr.. Flood appears to be reelected by
ma jority of not less than $500 to 1000
In the Third District, Captain Lamb Is
returned 10 the House by a majority. lit
tie, IL any, short of 5000, of which Rich
mond city contributed little more than
$500.
In Richmond.
The election in this city was rernarka BILE
for the apathy and the utter lack of in
terest taken in the result by the. negroes,
of whom only few, hundred are register
ed. Few of those who took the trouble
to register appear to have taken enough
interest in the election to so to the polls
and vote. The participation of the
negroes was even more noticeable than
it was expected to be. In some of the
largest precincts few or no negroes Of
fered to vote. This is especially true of
First Clay precinct, one of the largest in
the city, where nc negro voted.
Hardly more than 35 per cent. of
the registered vote was cast, the re-
suit being a foregone conclusion. and the
opposition so badly divided by factional
auarrels that not even a respectable show
of strength was made by the Republi-
cans.
Around the polls it was SO quiet all
H. u I,@ %o1I
that an election was in progress. The
Judges and clerks had rather lonely,
lazy day at many precincts, and at none
were they really busy receiving votes
There were no attempts to insist on a
right to vote by any of those disfran-
chised by the operate of the new suf-
frage laws, and indeed no incident to
ripple the monotony of the day.
The Richmond Vote.