The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-11-13
Virginia's Political Surprise.

ana more disastrous to the Demo
cratic party than any that ever &c.
Cured. 1t was rs much of surprise
to the victnrS aS to the vanquiIheh.
and knocked down more Danncratir
houses and castle, in the air, aud
more bricks and mortar from the
Democratic temple than ever fell in
Charleston and SummervilIe when
struck by the earthquake of August
last. Some of the districts were re-
ally doubtful, especially the First,
Third and Ninth. but the chances In
them in favor of the Democrats were
hest. In the Fifth and Sixth dis
tricts it was considered "DamO-
cratic walk-over" by both parties,
and no one questioned the election
by handsome majorities of both Ca
hell and Griffin. Neither was the
Tenth, or fuckers district, consider
ed in serious dispute. But the up
heaval was overwhelming all around
from the seashore to the mountains,
and not Democratic candidate was
left we'll on his pins. The political
revolution was complete everywhere,
and the three districts which the
Democrats were able to retain show
ed a tremendous falling off of the
usual vote. This district two years
ago elected John w. Daniel 10y 5000
majority, and it has now returned
Hopkins, Knight Of Labor, by nearly
LOCO. CabeIl's majority in the Fifth
was 2,4S0, and now it has elected
Brown, independent, by more than
1000. Ran fuckers majority in the
Tenth two years ago was no, and
it has now elected Yost, Republican,
by some 1000. O'Ferrel, in the Sey-
enth. has gotten in only by the skin
of his teeth, while the loss of Lee in
the Eighth is more than One-half of
the great Barbour majority In 1881.
Such "a political, and apparent sud-
den. revolution in parties was nPv,r
before known in Virginia. at least,
and has COMPOUNDED the Democrats
with di,may and terror. The result
puts Senator Malone Oh top again,
and it is now confidently anticipated
that he will contest, with great prns-
ppt.t IF Sn,uoSS tho bovt so,nf,r.hin
as the succe ssOr of Ridhleberger, who
will, under no circumstances, stand
much chance even if there should be-
a Republican Legislature elected next
fall. This puts the Democrats on
their pins, aud to avoid such prob.
able result they Will make the next
fight altogether different from what
the late one was,
The leading cause of the Demo-
cratic defeat was apathy and utter
lack of organization. But the cause
of the extraordinary apathy is as
difficult to accurately determine rs
the question of "WhO struck Billy
Patterson" 1t may be said. how.
ever. that in portions of the state the
difference of Democratic opinion
about the tariff had much to do with
the result. Free trade is good in
some quarters. but will not carry in
others. Then. the defeat Of the Blair
Educational bill in the House weak
ened the Democrats among many.
The state debt question, in its con,-
plicated form, was also very demon.
alizing. The "bard Times" too. had
a most depressing effect on the PEG.
Dle, especially the agrirulturiSls, AMI
made them careless of the result. All
of these things added to the fact
and the most important fact-thaI the
administration at Washington has
not been Democratic enough in its
appointments and civil service ~
form policy to inspire II party with
amy of its accustomed snirit and IN.
'huH'VNhis lIlio idSt tO1SiutfdlfOD,
no doubt, WAS the leading cause Of
the universal apathy that prevailed
among Democrats all over the state,
and helped the crushing defeat more
than any other one cause.
Mr.Samuel l. Hopkins, the Knight
of Lator candidate elected in this
district to succeed Senator elect
Daniel, is native of Maryland, and
WAS born In Prince Georges county,
in 1913. He entered the Confederate
army i'll the Fifth Maryland Lime,
and fought through the war. He has
beeh a merchant in this city for many
years, and has always voted with the.
Democratic party, and claims to b"
an independent Democrat now. to be
bound by no party caucus in Wash
ington.
Technical Education Of Farmers.