Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-21
GOV. LEE In NEW YORK
HOW TAG REPORTERS GAVE HIS CON-
vERsATf0N AT TaE PIFTE-
AVENUE HOTEL.
The Political Situation In Virginia as
Given by Governor Lee In the Course
of Conversation.
The following is taken from the Ney

The following is taken from the New
York Press OF Sunday last
Governor Fi;zhugh Lee OF Virgins
was n conspicuous figure yesterday al
the Fifth-Avenue Hotel.
II suppose all the Democrats in your
State are for President Cleveland's re-
nomination ?" asked a reporter.
ayes; hear no other candidate men
toned In my opinion the President
is stronger than he was in 1891. Oh
course the delegation to the convention
will be solid for him."
"Can he carry Virginia in the face OF
his message ?"
Eyes; although we have good many
Protectionists. Protection is not the
paramount issue in the South. 1t is a
question OF Anglo-Ssxon supremacy with
us. and always will be as long as the
negroes seek, through the aid OF a few
whites, to control affairs. 1t matters lit
tie whether white voter is a Protection
list, Free Trader, Tariff Reformer, or Pro-
bibitionist, he sinks everything i'll his de-
sire not to be controlled by the blacks
This fact should be recognized by the
Republicans, who claim that Virginia
may go for their party this fall on the
protection issue"
"Do You mean TO say, Governor, that
the blacks have majority in the State ~
mo; they are in the minority. but
when assisted by about 40, 900 white Re-
publicans, that puts more serious as
pect upon the political outlook. l con-
fess that some changes have occurred in
the State that indicate Republican gains.
When President Cleveland was elected
we had eight Democratic congressman
and two Republicans. Now the repre-
sentatlon stands seven Republicans and
three Democrats.
"The Democrats will not have walk
over, then?"
"No; they will not In the mineral
districts in the southwest Of the State the
people rather believe in protection.
They think that the North has become
enriched by protection, and that they are
entitled to the same advantages. What
has been sauce for the goose should be
sauce for the gander, so they believe.
Then there are districts where the peo-
pie raise fruits and make brandy. They,
in common with the tobacco-raisers, de-
sire the abolition of the internal-revenue
tax. They argue that if certain
amount of revenue is to be taken from
the annual income it would be better to
give them the benefit.
"The State has been flooded with pro-
lection tracts explaining these matters
fully, and especially showing that the
Republicans-John Sherman, Blaine,
and Others -desired to abolish the tax
on tobacco. The tobacco growers think
it is hardship to be taxed for what they
make ont OF the soil. Through long
years of cultivation they have arrived at
point where they know how to farm
the weed and produce the best article of
tobacco. While tobacco is somewhat OF
a luxury, it is a great comfort for many
to enjoy a good smoke, and many could
scarcely do without it..
"You think, then, Mr.. Blaine or Sen
ator Sherman, il nominated, would be
strong in Virginia."
"Mr. Blaine would be infinitely
tliOuEtI ltdu Dti1lOl Ala-
hone is for the latter and that fact alone
would keep large element OF Republi-
cans from supporting the Senator.
There are a great many Republicans in
Virginia who are opposed to Malone,
and while they might notvOte the Demo
cratic ticket, they certainly would not be
enthusiastic for Malone candidate,
Mr.. Blaine would be moro difficult to de-
feat than Senator Sherman. That large
element OF respectable Republicans OPP
posed to Malone would work for him.
Mr.. Blaine's ideas on the tobacco.tax
question, too, are very decided. Presi
dent Cleveland received only 5000 ma
jority."
"Do You think Senator Shermans
speeches i'll Virginia during the campaign
in which you were elected Governor
weakened him ?"
"They certainly did not strengthen
him with the people any, and they as
sisted to elect me. If Governor Foraker
and Senator Sherman would come down
this fall and make speeches | think the
Democrats would appreciate it very
much. When they were there Senator
Sherman stopped at Mahone's house.
Malone advised him not to make
bloody-shirt speech that it would not
do; it might drive away white
Republican voters Senator Sher-
man, therefore, spoke on the tariff
question to large audience of negroes,
who understood very little. if anything,
of his deep tariff argument. No; Mr..
Blaine would decidedly make the best
run, but DO not think he can carry the
State against the Democratic nominee.
We frequently get very much divided on
local issues, but when it comes to voting
for the national ticket the result has al
ways been a Democratic majority. /
think President Cleveland will receive
ihn nlanfornl uoin Of thn Gfnfn M rnnffnr