The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-11-23
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS.
Their Attitude with Regard 10 the
N. n. SeuntOrshfp

The contest over the Virginia Senator.
ship promises to be an unusually interesting
one. The candidates are Hon. John +. Lewis
t-goveruor-eect; ii. II. Riddle
berger, and John S. Wise. The election
takes place on the goth of December. All
three of these gentleman are ION the road"
and are making personal convass among
the members. elect of the Legislature The
friends of Mr.. Lewis feel very confident of
his success. They argue that 1t was the
distinct understanding between the Re-
adjuster and Republican elements be.
fore the nomination for governor was
made, that IL Mr.. Lewis consented to hitch
on to the tail Of the ticket, and in the
event of success he was to get the Senator
ship. The Republicans, too, hold the balance
of power, and can, if they wish, dictate
terms to the Readjusters. 1t would hardly
appear reasonable that Mr.. Lewis would
give up u marshalship, which pays $4,000,
for the Acknowledgements the salary
of which is only 5000 per annum. Hon.
VIM. L. Chandler, who raised the funds
that enabled the Malone party to carry
Virginia, is outspoken in favor of Lewis
and has advised the Republican members
of the Legislature to insist upon his cleo
ton OF the $4,000 votes cast for the Re-
adjuster ticket at the last election, Malone
himself comedies that II 900 were Republi.
cans and $4,000 Readjusters.
Mr.. VIM. +. Cooper chairman of the Vir-
ginia Republican Association, who has just
returned from the Old Dominion, was asked
by IL CRITIC minion to give his views con-
corning the recent election
Said he: while the late victory over the
Bourbons in Virginia was hailed with de-
light by Republicans generally, yet the
party In the South were more enthusiastic
over it than in other sections of the coun-
try, for the reason that they realized that
coalition success in Virginia means new
South'-'a release from political slavery
and free expression of ideas, and q fair
count"
"Did your party poll its full vote at the
late election p asked THE CRITIC man.
"Oh, yes" said Mr.. Cooper. "When the
| scheme of coalition between our party and
| the Readjustcrs was first agitated we were
organized and ready for the contest Had
! we refused to go into the movement with
| Malone the Readjusters would have been
| sadly left. We have good men in our party,
such as ex-senator and Lieutcnaut-Gov-
| ernor-elect John f. Lewis, who could have
polled the entire Republican vote of the
State. Mr.. Lewis is the acknowledged
leader of the party in Virginia, and
| is very popular among the masses.
Mr.. Lewis, however, when spoken to last
spring with reference to accepting the nom
| ination at the hands of his party for the
governorship, said he did not want it, but,
on the contrary, urged his friends to forget
party name but not party principles, and
to join in with Il small party of $4,000 or
10000 men, believingthat in this way only
| Virginia could be redeemed. His manage.
ment and the success of the movement of
which he was so able and earnest an advo-
cate, is only another evidence of his ability
as leader. Hc had to contend not only
with Conservative Democrats who endeav-
ored unsuccessfully to defeat him in his
movements; for while he fought them at
the front, he had also to contend with the
Straightout Republicans or assistant Demo.
Gratis who followed in the rear of his march
endeavoring to recapture the ground lost
to them on his advance, But, notwith-
standing the great odds against him. he
succeeded in vanqushing and riding over
the forces Of Wickham, Dezendorf and Jor.
genscn."
"Will the triumph of the coalition in
your opinion, Mr.. Cooper, materially benefit
the Republican party in Virginia." asked
the reporter.
ayes. We look upon the late victory as
n victory of the Republican party. We be-
lieve that were it not for the nomination OF
ex-senator Lewis as lieutenant-governol
evitably been doomed to defeat, for he
alone carried the Republican forces to its
support" j..
what about the election of q Senator to
succeed Johnston?' asked THE CRITIC.
"That election, " said Mr.. Cooper, "will
be watched with intense interest by Repub.
licans throughout the country"
1t has been said that this Senatorship is
the rock upon which the Malone forces
will go to pieces, suggested the political
reporter of tho only afternoon paper IN
Washington.
THAT remains to be SEEM" said Chair.
man Cooper. at is with Senator Malone
as to whether this proplesy will prove true
as he is at the helm, and can steer his yes
sci to prosperity or destruction, as he
chooses. "
"What is the attitude Of the Republicans
of Virginia concerning the election of a
Senator 2" again put in TIiE CRITICS young
man.
"As far rs can learn by correspondence
with prominent Republicans in all sections
of the State their attitude is this That
they prefer the election of n Republican tc
the United States Senate. They want this
for several reasons, the first being that we
desire to receive the same lind considera.
tion from them which we hive already ex.
tended to their party in the most
trying period of its existence. We
feel that this is die to us
in consideration of our having thrown the
balance of power, as between hhe Conserva-
tive Democrats and the ReaUusters. We
believe it is due to the leadersof our party,
and that their efforts for the Mccess of the
ticket should be recognized ina manner as
graceful and rs generous as the manner in
which they offered their ability and expe,
rience. | do not think any hir-minded
man will deny this as our right
, Continuing, Mr.. Cooper said another
; potent reason for the election ola Republi
can to tho United States Senate il this: w,
want man who is in undoubted iympathy
with the present Administration. w,
think the Administration, with The aid of 4
staunch Republican from Virginh, will bC
better able to carry out its purposes and
perfect it plans. No reflection is meant t.
be cast upon Senator Malone, fol we al
admire and respect him for the manly cours,
, pursued by him in the Senate, Th, Senate
being so closely divided at present, md feel
, ing that the interests of the country WOULD be
better subserved by the election q n Re
publican who would give supportto the
President, it may be said for a cetainty
that the Republicans of Virginia vii ask
that true Republican be elected. EX-
|, Senator Lewis will DO urged by the Re
! publicans as being the man most accept
able to the Readjusters.'
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