Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1908-05-27
North Carolina Votes Dry By
a Very Large Majority
ONLY SEVENTEEN COUNTIES WET
Returns From Ninety-One Of the
Ninety-Eight Counties in the State
Show That the Prohibition Bill
Carried by a Large Majority.

large majority. 1t is impossible at
this time to give the majority with
any certainty, as in many instances
the votes are estimates, but it is safe
to assume that it will reach $4,000.
The day brought surprises to both
sides in the contest, though the re-
suit was, all along, a foregone con-
cluslon. One county for instance, in
which there has never been a drop of
liquor sold-at lesat legally-rolls UP
a majority against the prohibition
bill and another county, which was
expected to give a handsome major
ity against the bill, is in doubt, with
the prospect that it will give a small
majority for prohibition. And so it
went. Seventeen counties, of those
heard from, voted against the bill.
The detailed reports, which follow,
tell the tale.
Prohibitionists Claim $4,000 Major
ity.
Raleigh, Specialize majority
for prohibition in North Carolina
has passed 10000 and it is possible
it may reach $4,000.
Buncombe County Very Dry.
Asheville, Specialize prohibi-
t%ionists in Asheville, Buncombe coun-
ty and western North Carolina swept
the decks clear. In the city the vot-
ing started off brisk with many wo-
men and children at the polling
places. Hot coffee and sandwiches
had been provided by the ladies and
at each polling place there were ia
bles at some convenient place where
refreshments might be had. The
scenes were not unlike those during
the local option election last Octo-
Der SAVE that they were not so spec
%tacular. While the ladies and the
children were present singing songs,
and working the cause Of temper
ance, there were not the cordons of
women and children thrown around
each "wet' voter as characterized
last October's contest.
At about 8 O'Clock the returns
from the vote cast began coming in
from the city precincts and the coun-
ty and it was evident even at that
time that the county would go over
whelmingly dry. Later during the
day the returns showed that the ma
jority would be beyond even the
hopes of the most ardent prohibi
zionist, The prohibition workers
were enthusiastic and kept at it al
thought they knew that a great ma
jority had already been had. The
anti-prohibitionists were ready to
quit early In the day. Very few of
those opposed to prohibition remain
cd at the polls all day. There was
no disorder and little excitement.
The official returns from the six
precincts in Asheville give prohibi-
ton a majority Of 76S. In Ashe-
vile and Buncombe county with
three precincts to hear from at $50
o'clock prohibition has a majority
of 1871. The remaining precints,
estimated, will swell the majority to
5000. Five hundred and sixteen
votes were cast for prohibition in
Marshall and none against it.
Marshall and Madison county give
prohibition a majority of 1900; Polk
county is 600 dry; Clay county $50,
all dry. All returns have not been
had from Yancey county. The coun-
ty, however, is overwhelmingly dry,
few votes being cast against prohi-
bition. Bakersville, Mitchell coun-
ty, it is reported here, went 1876 to
l dry.
The prohibitionists had great
rally at the auditorium at night
Fully two thousand people we're there
to get returns and celebrate the great
victory.
Black Mountain Dry.
Black Mountain, Special.-Prohi-
bition won by $50.
New Hanover Goes Wet.
Wilmington, N. c., Speeial.-AL
precincts are in and New Hanover
gives a majority of ISL against pro
hibition. Wilmington city voted wet
in all except one ward, but the ma
iority was reduced by returns from
the country precincts, which voted
generally dry, except Delgado.
In spite of the rather heated cam
paign, in which personalities were
more or less INDUCED in, the best OF
humor prevailed among the work
ers at the polls as a general ruiz
and the election was as quet as has
been held in Wilmington in a mum
Der %ofyears. The polls in a ma
| iority of eases were roped or plank
cd off and only one voter was adj,
mitted into the booth at a time, re
firing from the opposite side. Ar
officer was stationed at each polling
place to see that the rule as tx
voting was strictly observed ant
there were no attempts to resist
this authority. The workers of boil
sides were, of course, active at tho
polls and every voter was beselget
with prefers Of tickets as soon as nj
presented himself to exercise HI:
suffrage. While both sides were
claiming the result up to almost TIT
hour Of the close Of the polls, II
one knew anything definite. Th'
large number of folded ballots cas-
gave an element Of uncertainty as tt
how The vote vas progressing an'
the statisticians were largely at VAN
ance in their estimates. An Aida.
prayer meeting was held at the Flrs
Baptist church by the prohbilionist
ana..nm tLr ladies Of the city and U.