Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-15
VIRGINIA.
Neither side Can Claim the Old Dominion
with Any Confidence.
OF The Evening Str-


Notwithstanding the fact that it il scarcely
month before election day, Virginia Is still an
uncertain factor ia the great political fight.
Leaders Of both -iIes make Wild predictions
simply for what influence it may carry. but
from a non-parti-an standpoint anything like
an attempted estimate a. 10 how the state will
60 in November il utter folly. The democrats
base their hopes now upon the inactivity OF the
republicans. They claim that the rank and
file Of the republican voters will not support
the third party candidates for Congress. while
many Of the negroes will refuse 70 vote for Har-
rison-
There IL no doubt as TO a serious split in the re-
publican party in this state, besides there are
many disgrunted members of the party who are
Chased with the stay-at-h home vote. Ii is also
claimed BY many democrats VINO have made
tours Of the state that double The number Of
negroes will vote tine democratic ticket this
time in the rural districts. Great influence Is
being brought 20 bear upon them TO induce
them 20 leave the old party. which they are told
simply caters 10 them for their vote. Nearly
nj Of the democratic speakers are appealing to
this vote. aud ii Is belieTed viii offset the third
party white vote.
The democrats are not succeeding they
would ike in inducing the democrats that for
sock that party for the third party TO return
TO their former faith. Especially is this noticed
in the south side. where the farmers are in de-
plornble financial condition Their tobacco
crops. which have been their money product,
almost worthless. since they cannot realize
half the price for IL that il brought a few years
agu. They are restless under this adversely
and their poverty, and having tried Cleveland
once thew are bent upon "a change"
Many OF them confidently believe there is
chance for Viewers election. while others wish
10 teach tine democratic managers that they are
not ound TO them body and soul and wish to
make them profit b. defeat" The populist
leaders express themselves confident of sue
cess They fully expect t. elect half of the ten
Congressman. and if they draw from the
democrats enough 20 give the electoral vote to
Harrison they will b. perfectly satisfied OF
course they would rather give the electoral vote
To Weaver, but, strange to say. do not hope to
do this.
DEMOCRATS ALARMED.
The calm. sound-thinking element Of the
democratic leaders are eyincing much alarm as
20 the outlook. The fact that in 1855 Cleveland's
majority was only 1.5S9. when no third party
was in the field to split their vote. is sufficient
eause for alarm State Chairman Gordon in
recent interview urged the necessity of con-
slant and unending effort on the part Of every
democrat in the state TO insure success. His
words had not the sanguine ring usually ut
tered by Leaders, but afforded an inference of
grave apprehen-ions.
A careful review of the entire state will show
that the vote this fall will undoubtedly be very
close.
In the southwestern and valley counties the
democrats are largely in the majority. On the
contrary. in the south side, tidewater and the
northern neck the republicans and third party
ties viii carry a great many counties.
The populist leaders are leaving no stone I'M
turned TO hold their converts firm. They are
exhibiting remarkable activity and il is wonder
F.lt L..
out on the stump. II allowed they are on hand
Mt every democratic rally and are constantly
holding meetings OF their own all over the state.
The populist speakers are using everything
they can get hold Of 10 hurt Cleveland with the
Virginia farmer. Many OF them devote n whole
speech in abuse OF the ex-president Their
latest mares nest Is that ''he invited the negro
Fred Douglass TO his reception in the White
House and sat down TO the table with him."
This charge Il haviDg magnetic effect among
the ignorant white classes.
THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.
Az To the congressional candidates, it looks
now II at least oct of the ten demo-
Gratis will be elected. The two democrats in the
greatest danger are Representatives W. A.
Jones of the first district and Paul c. Edmunds
Of the sixth. Their districts composed of
counties where third partyism is most ram
pant. and many indications point to their de-
feat In the tph district, where Mr. C.. A.
swanson WIS chosen by the democrats Mr..
Testers successor the vote will also be very
close The populist sentiment Is very strong in
this section. aud Mr.. SwansOn's friends are I'M
easy about him
Perhaps the wors. u.Ixed-up district Of all il
the fourth. in which Gen. Malone lives. The
democrats AID pOpuli-ts each named candi-
dates early, the former Representative J. ii.
Epes. the latter Col. J. Thomas Goode. There
Wa some talk shortly afteTward about the re-
publicans bringing ont a candidate but Malone
i-sued circular ealing. upoa his men to re-
frAin from placing congressional candidates in
the field where democrats and populists had
already been selected
shortly afterward. IN the face OF this order of
the state chairman. tine LAngston- Brady fac
uOn Of that district. which Is hostile to Malone
called q convention and placed ). Y Gillian ia the
hesd for Congress. Nshone = greatly angered
and has issued an elaborate circular addressed
to the Republican Voters OF the Fourth District
of Virginia he circular Is a caustic and
bitter review OF the action Of the Farmville
convention Col. James u. Brady is discussed
~ leng n. the animus Of which Is verv plain
He Is pronounced a traitor to the repub-
ican party and spy in the republican house
hold IAng-tons ''rUmp convention at Burke
vile Il condemned without qualification. OF
Mr.. Gillian the circular saws: He needs but
little attention, viii receive but little considera-
ton and will be the small bOv at the irolic''
The address intImats- that Col J. Thomas
Goode, the nominee of the third party, will re-
eeive the support of the Malone republicans Of
the fourth district The circular which made
ns appearance TODAY. has created much COM
meut here. and II Is certain that Mahones ac-
ton viii defeat Gillian
The second and ninth districts are the only
ones In the state where old-iime fights between
republicans and democrats are being wagcd. In
the second district ext Congressman Bowdea il
contrasting every foot o! ground with Mr.. ID.
Gardner Tyler. the democratic nominee. Tho
Chances, however. favor the democrat since
thsre Il . split IN the republican party OF the
dtstriet growing out OF the choice
% the nominee ia the convention
that selected BOsden. Perhaps the hardest
night Of the campaign Is being made in this dis
triet This u the irst time Mr.. Tyler has ever
stond for Congress and also. IN view OF the IL
lustrious name no bears. be l. making IL almost
sesse Of life and death with him Ills op-
ponent. Mr.. Bowdeu. Is equally anxious to win,
- THIS Is the first opportunity h. has had 10 re-
deen himself since Eis defeat two wears ago.
and having made boasts then that he was
robbed OF the place be Is anxious to demon
strsts II In this election
In the ninth district the fight il an old time
one also. being between James W Marshall
democrat, and Maj II. 4. Wood. republican.
While this fight IL being thoroughly contested
the indications point TO the success of Mr.
Marshall. the democrat. This will be Mr. Mar
shAiis hrst term In Congress, he having been
CHOSEN To succeed Representative Buchanan.