Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1913-04-23
WALTER II. W0ODSoN MAYOR.
Last FRIDAYS Primary Terminates In a
Surprise to all,


Last Friday what might 1t
called a citizens primary uLde
the auspices of the Democratic
Executive Committee was held il
Salisbury for the purpose of Sc
lectihg candidate for mayor ant
aldermen. We say "citizens" be
cause it was agreed to allow re-
publican residents she privilege te
register and vote. This wal
agreed to by both factions, but OF
course the Negro was not consld'
cred, at least not by the Gaskil]
forces.
The candidates for mayor were
David L. Gaskill and Walter II j..
Woodson, both upright and high
ly esteemed citizens. The candi.
dates fer aldermen were as fol-
lows: North Ward, G. J. Nor.
man, r. W. Tiernan and Geo. A.
Fisher; East Ward, D W. Julian,
q. E. Rufty and E. M. Cauble;
West Ward, DR.. W. L Crump, S.
W. Harry and T. ]. Rsbe, and
the South Ward, J. D. Norwood,
J. F. Ludwick and J. W. Ride.
Quite.
The Australian ballot system
was used, it being a new system
for Salisbury and in many par
ticulars an improvement over the
old style. Ths balloting was very
quietly proceeded with, it being
conceded on all sides that Mr..
Gaskill was in the lead and would
be the nominee for mayer, ever.
Mr.. Woodson had to prepare hi
speech of acceptance after tht
vote was counted. The vote was
as follows:
North Ward: Wocdson 141,
Gaskili 113, Tiernan 102. Norman
178, Fisher 1856 Total vote 25e,
South Ward: Woodson 112,
Gaskill 13O, Norwood 175, Lud.
wick 121, Rideoutte 1852. Total
vote 25O.
East Ward: Wcodson 40,
Gaskill 147, Julian 1888, Rufsy
224, Cauble 155. Total vote 319
West Ward: Woodson 1l9,
Gaskill 1876, Crump 1856, Harry
$50, Rabe 1856. Total vote 254.
The nominations therefore are
as follows:
Mayor, Walter n. Woodson
Alderme South Ward, J. D
Norwood, J. W. Rideoutte; North
Ward, G.. A Fisher, G. J. Nor.
man; East Ward, II. E. Rufty,
D. W. Julian; West Ward, 8. W.
Harry, W. L. Crump.
This result came as a surprise
to the Gaski'l forces and some of
the Woodson followers. The
wards had been thoroughly can
vassed and the outcome was quite
different from that expected, es-
pecially so ln the North, West
and South wards. The change in
conditions IN the West and South
wards is said to be due to the vot-
ing of about fifty negroes for Mr.
Woodson, whose majority over
Gaskill is only II.
A meeting was then held at the
court house, the nominees were
ratified and the candidates we're
called on for talks.
Mr.. Gaskill came forward aud
thanked his friends for their sup
port and said he was exceedingly
proud of the men who voted for
him. He said he had not been
treated fairly, that the Dem ocrat-
10 machine and especially the
chairman had worked and ruled
against him aud that with 80 per
cent. of the uuion labor vote, 80
per cent. of the merchants, 80
per cent. of the physicians, ali
the ministers, with one possible
exception, and 50 per cent. of the
lawyers, be woald not consent to
the nomination of his friend and
opponent, Mr.. Woodson. Mr. Gas
kill was Loudly applauded and
quite q number of gentlemen Of
fered sums of money to have the
matter contested or settled IN
court, Mr.. Gaskill does not favor
such a course and the matter will
likely be dropped, excepting the
prosecution of several illegal
voters.
Mr.. Woodson was in his office
preparing a different speech from
ubo4 ha exnected." was brought