National Republican., 1886-12-25
VIRGINIA POLITICS.
Some Talk About the Coming Senator
ial Contest.

Although the legislative elections In Vir-
ginia are still distant, there is already consid-
erable talk about candidates and prospective
party successes since United States senator
ship hinges on the result. 1t Is noticeable
that pretty nearly all the activity displayed
Just now is by the Republicans and Indepen-
dents. Their notable success in the congress
sional fight in November has invigorated them,
united their forces shattered i'll preceding
years, and given them bright hopes of carry
ing the state legislaturei and securing sena-
tor. The Democrats have complained that
at the congressional elections many OF their
apathy, and TO this fact was due the Repub-
lican success. Now. while 1t may have been
true that there was an indiscreet feeling Of
security prevalent among the Democrats, 1t Is
stayed away from the polls simply because,
thoroughly discouraged by the election re-
suits Of 1858, 'Si, and 's5, they thought 1t use
couraecd ones have been filled with enthu-
slasm by November's successes, and
are now wide awake to the posi-
prominent Republican I showed 'T any Tut Intense 5
longing TO enter the field as candidate for
senator. while at present candidates are loom
ing up daily. The fact is, Republican stock has
ticians In the Old Dominion are not slow TO
recognize the fact. Everybody is now discuss
ing the question, Who win get tho Republican
an empty honorby any means. From this dis.
tance It looks as II Gen. Malone can go back
to the Senate II he wants to at the expiration
Of O, tRiddlebergers term; , Judge Wasddlll. OF
and Congressman Harry Libbey are also men
toned as candidates. IL is probable too that
some of the recently elected members of Con-
gress win appear In the Held before another
year rolls around. Some of them are very able
men, and popular throughout Virginia. Judge
Bayly Brown, OF the first district, Is among the
ablest jurisis In the state, has the confidence Of
Republicans and Democrats alike, and Is fitted
In every way to represent the Old Dominion
with honor In the United States senate. Con
gressman-elect Gaines, of Petersburg, may alsc
take hand In the senatorial contest If Senator
Malone does not He Is one OF the coming Re.
publican leaders of the state. HIS brilliant
services as state senator in Richmond made
him known very generally, and his personal
popularity and political shrewdness are very
much beyond the average.
Congressmen elect Bowden aud Yost are able
men, too though not yet SO prominent as those
mentioned.
There is not so much talk among tho Dem
ocrats about the legislature and the senator
ship. The fact is the Democrats still feel {
| snowed.under sensation of which they are
not likely to get rid for some Time. The loll
| of intense surprise which came on their face
on Nov. still maintains Its position there anC
| all hands are still discussing the question
grown discouraged In the same proportion a
| the hopes of their opponents have revived
| They have been slowly going down the gamu
| from, 1--WE, are sure" aud I'VE think "a
1--WE hope" and 1t Is TO be feared that the low
est note. 1--WE regret" will be reached soon.
Gov. Lee was prominently mentioned In con
| nectlon with the senatorship before November
and he seemed pleased with the mention
| Now, he comes out In card declaring he u
| not candidate, Mr. Barbour and other Bour
bon leaders are showing the same dislnollna
| tion TO enter the field lately Fact Is, II look
as If the Republican majority has come II