Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-06
THE VIRGINIA FIGHT.
O'Ferrall Expected to Win, but by a
Reduced Majority.
P0PULISTS LACK ORGANIZATION.
The Legislature Will Also Probably
Be Largely Democratic.
A PROHIBITION CONTEST.
A PROHIBITION CONTEST.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va, Nov 6.-The campaign
in Virginia is practically at an end and
tomorrow's battle of the ballots is awaited
with eager expectancy. Both democrats and
populists have made a good fight and the
managers Of each are supremacy satisfied
with their efforts in behalf of their re-
spective parties.
The campaign now ended has been a
memorable one in many respects. What
appeared to be apathy on the part of the
populists in the beginning of the canvass
proved later to be shrewd move Of their
leaders to misead the enemy. The most
surprising part of the fight has been the
activity on the part of the populists and
their strength subsequently developed.
When their ticket was named by a SHINY
attended convention in August the demo-
Gratis chuckled in their sleeves and termed
1t motley crowd of disgruntled poll
ticians." Then, too, their very poor show
ing at the national election last year went
further to confirm the belief in the minds
of The ''unterrifed' democracy that the
peoples party" was no peoples party at
all and would pass away like summer
flowers at the approach of autumn's winds.
They were doomed to disappointment, for it
was soon Enthusiastically demonstrated that
the populists had come to stay and that
the farmers of Virginia, in large numbers,
were inclined to the Ocala platform.
| The WatchvOrd of the POpulfsts.
Free silver" has been the watchword of
the populists all through the campaign.
Rise or fall they have staked their hopes
by this motto. 1t has been their sole issue
and that they have worked 1t to good ad-
vantage is proven by their largely in
creased following.
The campaign has not been one of bril-
liant oratorical battles as has been wit
messed in Virginia in the days gone by.
The famous stump speakers so notable in
Virginia quarter of a century ago have
either gone to their reward or have relin-
quished politics for other more profitable
fields This has been whispering can
vass. as it is sometimes called. The work
has been done largely under the ban of
political secrecy and other more effective
means have been used to persuade the
voter which is the right way" to vote.
For series of reasons OFerrall's popu-
larity in Virginia has been badly shaken.
The prime cause of this was his positive
refusal to resign his seat in Congress before
the election. 1t has developed that num-
Der of leading democrats went to the colonel
and appealed to him to resign at least a
month before election, but he would not
listen to them. Well informed democrats
admit that Col. O'Ferrall will lose at least
5000 votes by this one mistake alone The
violent personal attacks made upon OFFER
rail- before his nomination by individuals
and several papers in the state, it now
seems. have placed him in an undesirable
light before the skeptical voter. The at
lacks were made by democrats and demo-
cratic papers and the refrain was taken I'D
after the nomination by the populist or
gans and the populist speakers
OFerrall VIII Run Behind His Ticket
1t is now conceded that O'Ferrall will
run far behind his ticket tomorrow This
belief has created a considerable sensa-
ton in the democratic ranks and great re-
joicing among the populists O'Ferrall in
his speeches has not spared the populists'
speakers and editors and they entertain
considerable official hatred for him which
is said to be just little tainted with per-
sonality. Added to the sensation caused
by the report that OFerraH will run be-
mind his ticket is the report that his heav-
lest losses will occur in his own congress
sional district, the seventh. This will great
| " humiliate the democratic nominee for
governor even if he is elected, for he has
on several occasions boosted that his ma
jority in his own district would be even
larger than when he ran for Congress-
The ,populist organ in its issue of last
Thursday, which is the last edition before
election day. INDUCED in some harsh abuse
of Col O'Ferrall, making charges affecting
his personal integrity. The colonel is out
in cards in the state papers this morning
in which he says the allegations are false
In concluding, he says: Nearly all of
them have been repeatedly made by my
enemies: and as often refuted in my can
| vases for Congress, and the people of my
congressional district have six consecutive
times stamped them as false by nominating
me by reclamation and electing me by in
creased majorities. The two new ones are
as unfounded as those which have been met
and refuted.
THE object of publishing these charges
within five days of the election can well
be understood, and will be condemned by
every honorable man. regardless of his par
ty affiliations.
THE people among whom 1 lived when
my business misfortuneS befell me, more
than a quarter of a century ago, and who
know me best and are perfectly familiar
with the circumstances, sent solid instruct
ed delegations by overwhelming votes for
me to the late state convention"
O'FcrrnlIs Explanation.
In another card printed in his home pa
per. a weekly at Harrisonburg, he says:
Near the middle of last August, when
my nomination for governor of Virginia
by the state democratic convention was
foregone conclusion, two suits were insti-
tuted against me in the circuit court of
Rockingham upon alleged claims of more
than twenty-five years standing.
II am under moral or legal obliga-
ton to pay either of these claims One
Of them never had any foundation in JUS
tice and the other discharged years
ago. 1t was not until after the death of
the original parties, and 1 was thus es-
topped under the law from testifying in
my own behalf, and could not call upon
them to testify, that these suits were in
stituted against me.
Suit could have been entered on these
demands more than twenty years ago. The
motion for the prosecution of these claims
at this particular time, pending my candi-
dacy for governor, will be readily under
stood.
Being thus circumstance 1 placed the
matter in the hands of my attorneys to
make a legal defense"
The admirers of O'Ferrall are very much
chagrinei at the danger of their favorite
running behind his ticket and the report is
absorbing a good deal Of speculat ton and
discussion.
The Democrats Will Win.
1t seems to be the opinion of a large ma
jority of well-informed politicians that the
democrats will win tomorrow by a reduced
majority. A member of the state democrat
ic committee. and concededly one of the
best if not the best, informed politician in
Virginia, told The Star correspondent today
that he was certain now that the democrats