Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-05
THE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA.
Great Expectations Of the Republicans
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Special piEasrA 70 Tn Evrzus srXa
Pxrxnssuno, Va, Nov. h-As the time for
boasting has gone BY and the hour Of battle IA
almost at hand, the most striking feature of
the political situation in this state d the re-
markable concensus Of republican opinion
which insists and demands that the electoral
vote of Virginia shall be set down - certain for
Harrison and Morton. In this somewhat sur
prising belief republicans Of every kind, quail
ity and degree are fixed and determined.
They declare that but little Improvement has
come to the condition Of the democratic party
since the election Of two years ago, when out
Of ten congressman they could elect but
three, and but for an accidental miscarriage
Of well laid plans, would have lost every
district in the state save one. Their line
Of battle undoubtedly looks firm 10 day,
row in the two 'blsck districts" where
lie the great voting power Of the party. II
they can give 10 Harrison in the Petersburg
and Norfolk districts the majority which they
gave 70 Garfield eight years ago they viii carry
the state easily and certainly. IL they do not
do 90 well as that, and only duplicate the Blaine
vote OF four years ago, they viii lose the
state. To the former these two districts gave
fully 1900 majority; 10 the latter about L. 500.
Ihe key OF the situation is in these two dis
tricts, but as the republican fracture is much
less serious at Norfolk that at Petersburg the
greatest danger to their presidential ticket is
right here. This city is the headquarters and
this district is the critical Gettysburg Of the
night for the state. And here il must be stated
that the circumstances of the conflict point TO
serious republican loss. In the smoke and
uproar Of the congressional fight hundreds Of
repuoncan voters may lose sight of the cleo
torai ticket, or, seeing il, be induced by some
deal or device to vote in q way contrary 10
republican expectations.
The followers Of Arnold-the so-called Ma
hone candidate-and those of Langston. are
fighting each other with savage ferocity. There
Is not the slightest hope OF q compromise be-
tween these forces, and it is not doubted that
both would in great part prefer the election OF
the democratic candidate TO the success OF the
objectionable republican. In this state OF things
the democrats are making an active and hope
| ful fight for the gain not only of a Congress-
man, but heavy reduction OF the republican
majority on the presidential vote. They have
| already expended large sum of money, and
will have well-supplied treasury for to-mor
row. In the political history Of the state there
| Is not contest to be found over a seat in Con-
gress where one-half the money was put out
among the voters that has been scattered right
left, everywhere over this district.
The representative of Langston. who il ex-
Congressman James ID. Brady. informed The
STAR reporter that including a small sum which
had been reserved for carriage hire, holders Of
tickets, canvassers for votes. &C., on election
day, there had been disbursed by his side about
$4,000. Expenditures by the two other parties
will probably swell the total TO at least $50 600.
A large vote, great deal Of dickering, and in
all probability a surprising result will come out
Of the extraordinary condition Of things here.
That no good can come from il to the republi-
can electoral ticket is well nigh certain. al
though each of the republican factions flies the
colors OF Harrison and Morton and are yieing
with each other in their efforts TO hold intact
| the legitimate republican majority of the dis
| trict p