Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-02
REPUBLICANS ARE QUIET.
They Are Not Taking Part in the Vir-
ginia Fight.
POpulist Leaders Are, the Democrats
Concede, Making an Impression ON
the VOtcrs-Campaign Notes.



RICHMOND, Va. Sept. 80, 1898.
Virginia is now in a whirlpool of po-
htical activity. The fight is wholly be-
tween the democrats and populists the
republicans taking no part in the strug-
gle whatever. That the populists are max
Ing good fight 1t Is idle to dispute. The
democratic leaders concede the fact that
the third party advocates are making i'm
pressions upon the voters.
The democratic managers admit that the
financial question is embarrassing their
party in this campaign. 1t Is often diff
cult for the state committee to make as
signment of speakers on this account. Some
Of the most prominent democrats in the
state. while thoroughly loyal to their party
nominees, and intending to support the
whole ticket, are opposed to its position on
finance. The condition of affairs has prov
ed embarrassing to State Chairman Ely
son on more than one occasion.
Several Of the best stump speakers in the
state are in favor of free silver. This is
the case with Maj. Camm Patteson Of
Buckingham who has just been nominated
for the house of delegates from that dis
trict. The major. who is one of the best
stumpers in the state, had a joint discus
sion at Cumberland court house a few days
ago with the Hon. LATE Pence. The latter
the discussion to the silver question he
would have passed unscathed, but, unfor-
tunately for himself, he made some refer
ence to the Anderson Mccormick election
law. This afforded his democratic opponent
an opportunity to get back at him. Pat
teson made the Colorado orator confess
that he not only had never read this law,
but knew nothing in the world about 1t.
Some OF the democratic managers admit
that the populist speakers are not only do
ing good work on the stump. but are render
ing valuable assistance in effecting their
party's organization. Judge Kerr Of Col
ginia for several weeks, II not until the
Close of the campaign. has, it is conceded.
made some effective speeches. The demo-
cratic leaders frankly say that Kerr is a
| strong stump speaker.
Eject of Senator Daniels Speech.
The democrats started out in the cam
paign with the half-formed determination,
as they explained. Of making their own
issues" that is to say. that they did not
intend to permit themselves to be dragged
into a discussion Of the silver question. If
| course Of Senator Daniel in the Senate
and many other things probably have fore
ed that party to abandon II.
Indeed some of the democratic leaders
are inclined to believe that Daniels speech
in the Senate in the advocacy of free silver
will be highly beneficial to his party in this
campaign. The Senator is being pressed on
all sides to come down here and enter the
canvass al once He will do so soon as
the status Of the repeal bill in the Senate
will permit him.
At nearly every meeting in the state held
by the populists resolutions have been pass
ed approving Senator Daniels financial
course. The obvious object of these tactics
Is to embarrass the democrats. The latter,
however, are following the example set by
their enemies and are publicly indorsing
the senior Senator from this
State Chairman Ellyson has not yet been
able to get Maj. Daniel to name the day
when he will enter the canvass. 1t will
probably be by the 18th Of October.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee will make his first
speech about the 10TH Daniel and Lee will
be the leading stars in this. contest but the
ex-governor will not begin to attract the at
tention that the Senator will. The latter
will no doubt have immense meetings in
all sections Of the state and his listeners
will not be confined to members of his own
party. The populists in all of the rural dis
tricts will turn out to hear the brilliant
Virginia orator.
Mr. Daniels speeches in this campaign are
expected to do his party more good than
those Of any half dozen men who are cham
pioning its cause.
Preparing for the Big Meetings.
The campaign has scarcely opened in
Virginia, though both sides have been do
ing some preliminary skirmishing. In Octo-
pect to have a series Of big barbecues which
are relied upon to attract immense crowds
OF their partisans. These meetings will be
addressed by the most prominent speakers
Of the respective parties. Both sides will
have money, and its use will commence
next month. 1t Is claimed that the third
party people have received a large sum
from the silver miners and their national
committee.
receiyad financial iSfa
but when they are ready for its use the
committee are not likely to have much
trouble in securing needed funds.
Republicans Divided.
The republicans have made no nominal
tons and are apparently taking no part
In the campaign. 1t is pretty safe to say
that large proportion of the white men
Of that party will support Col. OFerrall
for governor and the rest of the ticket but
strength to the populists.
Many OF the colored leaders are pro-
claiming in favor of the democrats.
The greatest populist strength lies in the
tidewater and south side, two Of the larg-
est black belts in Virginia. Parts of the
first district, which is comprised in tide
water, are admittedly very close. In the
thirty-ninth Senatorial district, for instance,
the democrats have little hesitation in say
ing that 1t will require the most vigorous
work to secure the reelection of their can
didate. Senator Stubs Of Gloucester.
The negro vote in that district Is a large
one and could easily determine the result.
The colored voters are said to be quite in
different as to the success of either side
This apathy will be watched with inter-
est.
The Petersburg District.
Another senatorial contest of interest
will be that in the district comprising Pet
ersburg, Prince George and Surry. There
the populists have nominated their candi-
date, ex-president Of the state alliance
Mann Page. His democratic opponent is
DR.. NJ o. Holt another prominent alliance
man Of Surry Both of these gentlemen
are large and popular farmers and are well
known throughout the southsde part of
the state. The democrats have a large ma
jorlty in the city of Petersburg. but IL Mai
Page could get fair support of the re-
publicans his election would be assured.
The negro vote Is an important element
of strength in the district. So far the vot-
ers Of this race have not manifested any
special interest in the contest.
The populists are proclaiming all over
the state that they have formed no coali-
ton with the republicans and that they do
not propose to do SO.
State Chairman Ellyson returned this
morning from Essex county, where he had
a conference with the chairman of the first
| congressional district. This district COM
prises one Of Virginia's black belt, and is
looked upon by the democrats in this cam
paign as very doubtful. Chairman Ellison
says that the outlook for democracy in tia (
section Is more encourag ing and that Sena-
tor ]. 7. Stubs entertains strong hopes of