Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-20
The Situation i'm virginia.

There is an evident determination on The part
OF the readjuster leaders in Virginia, to try the
experiment OF running an Independent cleo
toral ticket In the presidential canvass They
are working quietly but diligently to this end,
and there is apparent uneasineSS In the demo-
cratic ranks. The republicans, being In hope
less minority with only two parties in the field,
can afford to look on with upconcern at any
movement that promises to divide their oppo-
nents. Therefore they are not disturbed at the
preparations to carry out the Malone plan.
The running OF three electoral tickets in Viz
glnia will render that state doubtful, and that
will make the canvass Of national interest,
because upon the vote Of the state might
hang the choice of a President. The
plan OF the readjusters is to run an electoral
ticket uncommitted to any candidate or princi-
pies and, II they can elect it, to determine after
the presidential election for whom the votes
shall be cast. In the event Of a close election
as was the case In 1876, there would then be
eleven men of Virginia, having 1t within their
power to give victory to either side, and 1t can
readily be imagined what excitement would
hang upon and around their action. The regu-
lar democratic and republican organizations
will be in the field In support of the tickets
made at Cincinnati and Chicago. The readjus-
tiers count upon antagonizing both and COM
manding votes enough to give them plurality.
They carried the state election last fall, and
this Is the basis of their calculation for success
in their venture next fall. But there is one i'm
portant consideration to be entertained which
The read1usters seem to lose sight of. In the
STATE election they were opposing the"bourbon"
democracy only, and in such an election the re-
puslicans, having nothing at issue in the shape
ot ticket of their own were willing to support
tnem. But for the aid OF republican votes the
III
the coming canvass the republican party will
have its own ticket In the field and every effort
Of the party will put forth In its behalf. With
Blaine, Sherman or Grant, or some equally well
known and popular republican leader at the
head of ticket it Is net likely that the read
Justers Will be able to obtain the votes Of any
considerable number OF that party, especially in
view OF the fact that possibly the "indepen-
Dent electoral ticket If successful might In the
END De used to elect a democratic President,
WITHOUT any assurance to the contrary and
without any sort OF restraint being placed upon
the readjuSter electors, it Is as fair to assume
that they might vote for democrat as a re-
publican. The state organ of the readtusters
says that the funders In their secret souls
are afraid Of the independent movement
and adds 'Well they may be, for no novel pro-
position In politics has so rapidly won favor as
ILLS suggested Independent movement. Not
only Is IL approved by the readjusters in their
county meetings. but by many who have here
tofore acted with The funders" This is a rose
colored view OF the situation, to say the least,
and evidently ia not warranted by the facts. The
indications are that the regular democratic, or,
as 1t is now termed, funder, wing OF the party is
being strengthened by the return Of voters who
went of with the readjusters; but. as we stated
at the outset, 1t looks If the latter were deter
mined to make test of their strength by rum
ming an electoral ticket.