Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-26
FOURTH DISTRICT.
A nrRps-xyR VIEW OF THE CONGRESS.
SIGNAL FIGHT.
Comparative Strength Of the Candidates
Bitter Feeling Between the Republic
can Fsctions-D Democratic Hopch
Icoru,rondenco Of tAe RIchmond plspatcn.l

fCorrpspcndenco Of the Richmond Dispatchl
PETERSBURG, September %, 1883.
The present congressional contest IN
this tho Fourfh) district resembles IN
many respects the notable fight IN the
presidential campaign OF 1884. linen
as now there were three candidates for
Congress in the field in the district
Colonel James ID. Brady, white Repnbli-
can: Joseph p. Evans, negro; and Dr.
George 4. Rives. Democrat The total
vote Of the district in that year was as
follows: Colonel Brady, ii, 40S; Evans,
6,447 Rives 1926. Colonel Brady 8
plurality was only l,0S2. DIR. Rives died
on the morning of the day OF the cleo
ton. and many Democrats who heard OF
his death declined 10 vote for him, or
proierring a white man 10 a negro voted
Tor Brady as against Evans Evans had
but little money 10 conduct his canvass,
while on the other hand his Republican
opponent had command of funds. The
day and night before the day OF the
election there was a noticeable detection
from Evans and Colonel Brady was
elected. Now. rs then. there are three
candidates in the field-Judge H. w.
Arnold, representing the white Kepubii-
can wing John Mercer Langston, the
colored Republican wing, and Mr.. I'd
ward c. Yenable. the nominee OF the
Democratic party. The analogy thus
far holds good. but otherwise there are
p important differences. Langston has
money rs well as Arnold. lie is much
stronger than Evans was he is better
representative of his race than Evans
was he is q fine speaker and a tavorite
with his people. lie Is the stronger OF
the two Republican candidates and bold
ly declares that DO persuasion or induce
1nents can prevail upon him TO withdraw
from the raceupon which he has entered.
He claims 10 be gaining in strength IN
stead Of losing. and says that he Will dls-
lance his Republican opponent IN the
fight.
but General Malone has not yet
opened his batteries. When he does the
canvass viii be made very warm for
InncstOn. That he will fight for all the
contest rs worth, rs we'll as for the maiu-
tenance Of authority and reputation as a
leader and as the State chairman OF the
Republican party, admits Of no doubt
among those who know the General. 1t
is generally believed that he will make
the fight in this district tins fall the
hardest. the biticrest, and the most dcs-
perate Of bis life.
Lancston and hi friends notwithstand-
ing their boastful claims Of having nine
tenths OF the negro voters with them {;
notwithstanding their claims that the
negroes in their union can carry the dis
trict and elect their candidate, know
this. They may beittle General Ma
hone and ronouucc his favor and IN
fluencp, but they will be made, no doubt.
before the CAMPAIGN has progressed
much further, to know that they have a
foe Of no mean power TO contend with.
Colonel Brady. who opposed Evans IN
1884, is now supporting Langston As the
regular nominee. IN that campaign,
however. Colonel Brady and General Ma
hone were staunch personal and political
friends. Now they are about as far apart
as enmity can separate them, and each
denounces the other.
This rmcorous feeling and apparently
irrcconcilable division III the Republican
ranks gives hopes Of success to the
Democratic party. Mr.. Veuable will
roll the full strength of his party and
draw many votes, too, from the other
side. Calm ot rvers in both parties re-
gard his chances of success as much bet
ter than those Of either Judge Arnold or
LangstOn. He viii personally canvass
the district Ills speeches are calm,
argumentatvc. instructive. He is up
held and supported by the best people
everywhere. lie is supported and
strengthened by speakers III every coun-
tv. Arrangements are beng made for
barbecucs and great mass-meetings at
central points in the district, where the
people can be addressed by distinguish
ell orators from abroad. The canvass is
10 he made rcd-ho., and a full Demo
cratic vote means a Democratic VIC
tory.
GENERAL NOTES.