Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-07-22
Virginia is Doubtful.
AND THE CHANCES ARE THAT HARRISON
AND REID WILL CARkY II.
Special to The n. Y. Press.

RICHMOND, July 16.-ylrginia may be
put down as doubtful in this Presidential
election. For ten years or more the Re
publicans have been steadily gaming
ground in the Old Dominion. In 1sS0
Hancocks majority was more tLan 40, 600.
Four years later Cleveland's majority was
about 500, and in 1855 the Democratic
plurality had dwindled to 1900 and the
Republicans lost the electoral vote for the
simple reason that there was a factienal
| fight in the party between the forces of
Malone and LangstOn.
The Democrats rely upon the Fair Elec-
tions bill as their sole issue in this State,
but that old worn out scarecrOw will not
avail them much. In 1899 the campaign
was fought on that issue, and number
of voters were unduly frightened, but
now they are disguised with themselves
for being so easily fooled, and they will
not be canght again with the same bait.
The third party is an element of un-
known strength, but it is assuming such
proportions as to Brighten the Democrats
1t is made mp Of 90 per cent. of deserters
from the Democratic party. 1t now has
organizations in nearly three-fOurths Of
the 100 counties. It's leaders are men
who have been prominent in politics ; and
right here it may be said that the Demo-
Gratis will have to adopt new tactics in
the campaign. An ex-chairman of the
State Democratic Committee recently re-
marked "Our point of greatest weak
ness lies in the fact that the men who
are running the third party are acquaint-
ed with every trick and device we have
resorted to for years past to keep the
negroes from voting. They will watch
MS closely, and will he ready to meet and
defeat us 10 every effort we put forth on
the old lines of campaigning They are
into the secrets. and we will have to adopt
new methods this time
The plan of the Republicans is to con-
duct a quiet canvass and let the Demo
Gratis and Peoples party fight among
themselves. The third party have a mum
her of allie speakers and will challenge
the Democrats to joint discussions
throughout the State. Ex.AttOTney Cen
eral Field, the third party's Vice Presi
Dental candidate; Mann Page. president
of the State Alliance; Colonel I. Thomas
Goode of Mecklenburg, General Samnel
II. Newberrv, who in l-S3 rtvOlted from
Malone and gave the State back to the
Democrats by originating the campaign
CRY, This way, freeman ~ Julian II,
Ruffin of Hanover and c. H. Pielson Of
Caroline. all former | aiding Democrats,
will stump the State for the new party
TIE Peoples ticket, its leaders say, will
give the State to the Republicans, but are
sure that it will Open up the way for the
third party to elect the Governor and
Legislature next year and give them the
State four years hence.
Another disconraging feature to the
Democrats is that tie Prohibitionsts
have full electoral ticket in the field for
the first time, and State committee has
been formed TO conduct a campaign.-
Whatever votes this party secures
will como almost entirely from tie
Democrats, so it can be seen that BY any
method OF figuring Virginia is an uncer-
tain State this year, and never before
were the prospects brighter for the Re
publicans.
1t is the pnrpOse of the Republicans to
support the Third party candidates for
Congress except in the two districts that
have Republican maiorities Tins the
Democrats may lose several districts they
have heretofore been in the habit of carry
ing. The Republicans are sure OF two
Representatives, and they will be able to
defeat the Democrats in three other dis
tricts by combining with the new party,