Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-02

matcs-What Mr.. Harbour Knows
Etc.
Special Dispatch TO THE EVENING STAR.
RICHMOND VA, Nov. 2.-On the eve of battle
both parties to the contest in Virginia are doubt
full and apprehensive. Perhaps never before in
this state were political prophets much at
Sea, or fixed conditions of a political fight so
anXiously and vainly sought for. Az To the gov
ernorship, 1t is simply fair to say that the en-
thusiastic democrats claim Gen. Lees election
with more confidence than do the enthusiastic
republicans Mr. Wise's election. Leaving out
of the calculation the elements OF enthu-
siasm, IL is plain that the democrats
are sanguine of Lees election, and the
republicans are strongly hopeful OF Wises cleo
ton. This alignment counts merely the intelli-
gent and calculating elements on both sides
and dismisses the gush and boastfulness that
belong to all political struggles at the culmnat-
ing point of election day as having no real bear
ing upon the result. Mr.. Wise is cheerful and
hopeful as to his prospects, but INDUCES in little
prophesy. His arduous and protracted canvass
closes to-day at Hampton, on the lower penin-
sula of James and York rivers. He says that If
he can rely upon the statements of his friends
throughout the state he will be elected by q
handsome majority, but he realizes all the un-
certainties pertaining TO elections General
Wickham, who has been the leader of the
control of the republican organization, places
Lees majority at about six Thousand as bottom
figures. As to congressional districts, ex-Con-
gresham Bowen fixes the southwestern
or congressional district as certain
to give Wise majority approach
ing five hundred. Democrats concede the dis
trict as close, and the average intelligent calcu-
lation On both sides now makes the important
concession to Mr.. Wise's chances of a republic
in hQ
annoying surprises to democrats at the close Of
the struggle are rumors of democratic losses i'm
fauquler and Loudon, Cupeper and generally
through the eighth congressional (Bar5ours)
district. Equally annoying to republicans are
rumors of diminished negro majorities i'm the
counties of the Norfolk and Petersburg districts.
Hopeful republican estimates claim 1000 ma
tority for Wise in the Petersburg district, and
5000 i'm the Norfolk district, with a small ma
Jority in the southwest a small majority In the
first congressional district, embracing the tide
water counties on the Chesapeake bay and
mock rivers. These estimates, taken in
connection with republican claims OF
democratic losses in the country east Of the
Blue Ridge and touching the territory Of the
Potomac frontier, elect Mr.. Wise by a comforta-
BILE majority, especially should Congressman
Libbey, OF the Norfolk district, prove correct in
his claims for Wise in that section. Both sides
agree that the valley will be closely contested,
and that the southwest win be carried by few
carry four congressional districts, with aggre-
gate majorities of something like $4,000,
and ninth districts and that he will about tie
the tenth district. Democrats claim sweeping
majorities throughout all of middle Virginia,
and greatly reduced negro vote south OF
James river, and their calculations as to both
regions are well founded. The Richmond dis
trict will give Gen. Lee $500 majority, accord
ding to the safest democratic judges. If demo-
cratic estimates are sustained by the counties
of middle Virginia. Lee will be elected by a
majority not large, but safe, and IL republican
estimates are borne out as to the negro vote,
Mr.. Wise will be elected. Chairman Barbour,
the democratic state committee, believes the
legislature safe for his party by a majority of
twenty on joint ballot. Gen. Malone claims
hfty-seven republican members OF the one hun
dred members of the lower house OF the legisa-
ture. The situation from the purview of Rich
mond may be correctly stated to be a belief in
Lees election, with a very close legislature. and
with much allowance for unknown quantities
and influences not now visible which may af-
feet both the governorship and the legislature.