The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-15
VIRGINIA POLITICS.
The Results Of the State
Election.
TRIUMPH OF THE INDEPENDENTS.
The Race and Color Line
Broken.

election here as having resulted in the beginning
OF complete revolution in the Two parties here
tofore opposing each other Long before the canvass
closed became apparent that the republicans had
tensibly confessed Judgment" and would make no
light outside the few localities which known as
their strongholds but 1t known until the eve
Of the election the policy they had adopted 1t was
then they showed their hands and the result
tells how effectively and well they played them 1t
equally apparent in the that the conserva
tive party lacked that thorough organization and dis
cipne for which 1t had previously been noted and in
places there the utmost disaGecton and
Decentralization. Relying on its great numerical
strength and indifferent 10 the feeble efforts OF
the republicans the conservative party in several
of the counties and cities sphtn and undertook the
rash experiment of putting in the field independent
candidates in opposition the regular nominees Of
their own organization As general thing these indie
pendents defeated candidates for nomination by
the conservatives and consequently the silly impression
prevailed that did make any difference whether
the regular nominees independents were elected,
both being conservatives. Here was the great oppor-
tunty for the republicans, and they not slow to
take advantage of it, In nearly every locality
where these disturbances and discussions existed the
republicans invariably supported the independent
ticket and in many instances iran inn candidate of
their own party. The consequence was that Tues
Of the conservative stronghods all the State
resulting many places the election Of the indie
pcndents. The effect of this mistaken policy is
visible in the extreme bitterness shown toward each
other by tho opposing factions Of the conservative
party, and this is not confined to the local.
ties where the independents successful
but is also felt in every place where fight
made within its ranks. Under these painful circum-
stances many prominent conservatives consider the
party hopelessly demoralized, and owing to the
numerous of the ''bolters" and "indepen-
dents in this election they seriously alarmed
The prospects of the party when The municipal cleo
tons occur in May next 1t is feared then that sin
dependents will spring up all the State and the
conservative organization will be rrevocably
broken up On the other hand the negroes,
who constitute the rank and file of the repub-
hcan party in this and every otner State South,
are almost equally demoralized. They voted
mainly for the Independents and boilers
by the instructions OF their leaders, but somewhat
reluctantly when there republican the
ticket In some districts however they voted with
both factions of the conservatives thus dividing their
support and in such cases electng the regular
nominees. Thus as result Of the feuds among the
conservatives and the probable disruption of that party
in Virginia. the negro also has broken the ice and in
voting for the first time without the bounds
with the exercise OF the franchise, and
will in the future be open to conviction from
others than those OF the republican party The negro
has long been the political slave OF radical leaders
that, with his growing intelligence and increasing poll
tcal experience, he begins TO think 1t high time 10
judge for himself the matter or casting his
and that the conservatives have learned through
their independent movements throughout the State to
seek to buy, beg and If possible 10 steal the negro
vote, there is every reason to believe that the
RACE AND COLOR LINE
is eectualy broken and that in the future both
will unite and differ the issues and questions OF the
day
great and wide differences of opinion among
leading conservatives. Few OF them believe the
negro organization can be broken by any
- Raalif rtfh nffxa-
unless IL materially advance the interests OF the
republican party to which the negro seems TO be
bound by the strongest ties. Nor do they believe the
present impending danger their party TO be OF
grave q nature a TO destroy, impair
organization strength Before the May elections
take place they say the party will again be reunited
the local euds disturbances will have been
forgotten and the organization viii be ready in May to
go into battle against the common enemy (radicasm)
IN perfect harmony and in the most thorough state OF
discipline. The
INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT
in Richmond has a history cumbersome for a
letter II began like the cloud about the size OF
political Armament 1t had its origin in
primary election for Senatorial candidates, at
which Messrs Bradley r johnson ana William
c. Knight being defeated. Fraud was claimed
by the friends OF knight, and an Independent move
ernor Henry A. Wise which resulted placing in the
field independent ticket-Messrs knight and
starke-in opposition TO Johnson and Tanner, the
regular nominees. Then began local canvass the
like Of which witnessed before in this city
Wise displayed all the ability, vigor, eoqaence
pluck and OF his father AID the day of
election the independent ticket having the support Of
large majority Of the negroes, was only defeated by
small vote Fraud was again claimed by the lnde
pendents and on charges made by Mr. Wise several
Judges OF election arrested and baied to
Ii proposed these the election OF
General Bradley T. Johnson; and thus the now
stands. As Mr.. j. T. Wise is the leader and very soul
the independent movement the HERALD correspond
ent called upon him at his Office and in response 70
several questions he made the following
STATEMENT:
ne In ar
OF principles. General johnson does not command
the confidence of his party purely personal grounds
This fact, and very nrm conviction IN the minds OF
large number Of old line that his nomi
nation secured by fraud occasIoned the indepen-
dent movement IN Richmond Nothing State signih-
canoe could have been drawn from this local contro-
vcrsy II those who supported the independents
satisfied that the election was fairly conducted II
glarng frauds had not been perpetrated those who
supported knight and StarKc would have been
10 return 70 the party and there remain. The
rebuke given to the party managers for nomi-
mating unworthy and permitting doubtful
means Of nomination would have secured fair
nominations and good nominees in future
the party would have been KNIT strongly than
That the movement was strong one, co-ope-
rated in by the best men In the city Is shown by the
large losses of the old organization in all the white pre-
cincts where fraud Is charged. II is believed that
the independents had not the power If they had the
and Clay wards where the white vote rs strong and
Ghey showed great strength Their majortcs in the
black NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that the coored voters did
not poll large vote and nothing but the extraordinary
maiorties IN Jefferson ward for johnson and Tanner
saved them.
Whether right wrong, the independents are indig
nant at what they high-handed and VIC
lent fraud, approved and sanctioned by their oppo
nents, and this belief will probably make the breach
between the wings OF the party permanent unless
tact and fairness the conduct or the contested cleo
ton and the prosecution of the criminals Is shown.
While the colored vote did not rally poll one bali its
strength, there is doubt that great majority OF
coored votes for the independents and that
Inc best and most intelligent OF cooperaed
with them At the same time several hundred colored
votes were cast for the johnson ticket and secured
MN, aouotess the return which he claims. IL Is idle
now TO speak of the conservative ORGANIZATION as in
tact Large numbers Of the best in the city
IN the independent movement originally, and many
who voted for the regular nominees now denounco the
result fraudulent
JUDGE ALFRED MORTON
The HERALD CORES pondent met Judge Alfred Morton
Chairman Of the state Republican Executive Commit.
tee and asked II he considered the parties were dis
rupted by the recent independent movements in the
state In reply he said Il had always haen nn nhinct ~