Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-13
TALKING TO VOTERS
The Virginia Campaign is Now Formally
Opened
Democrats Confident of an Increased
Majorfty-Claims of the Populfsts-
Interviews With the Chairmen.

Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va, Sept. l2-The political
campaign in Virginia has been formally
opened by both democrats and populists.
The large crowds that attended the numer-
Gus rallies held throughout the state, not
withstanding the rain. attests the intense
interest felt in the outcome Of the guberna-
torial fight. The democrats are very con-
ndent Of the result. They say that It is
only question OF the size of Col O'Fer-
rails majority. and they are ambitious to
make this larger than any the democrats
have had for many years. They say that
the election Of any democratic candidate
would be assured, and that with such a
popular candidate as O'Ferrall they are
sure OF phenomenal victory. There is en-
thusiastfc talk Of running the majority to
forty or fifty thousand The ambition to get
big majority promises to make the cam
paiSn as active and earnest as IL would be If
the contest were really close.
Ihe populists, however, claim to have a
good chance of electing their man for gov
ernor. They say that the voters OF Virginia
are now ripe for a political revolution
Ihey claim that there is a feeling Of unrest
throughout the rural districts and that
mutterings of discomfort and disaffection are
widely heard among the INDECENT farmers
In the state. and upon these the populists
depend The Ctopian platform of the third
party, both state and national is 1t is
sald, enticing away from the democratic
foid many of Its supporters who are ig-
norant or the intricacies of legislation
EIspecialy is this the case In reference to
the free silver plank in the populist plat
1orm There Is something about free COIN
age OF the white metal that has a myster-
ious charm for the agrarian masses In Vir-
glnla There Is no use hiding the fact that
there is strong sentiment in favor of free
coinage In Virginia, and this sentiment
sustalns Representative OFerralls vote in
the House when the Wilson repeal bill was
passed while some of the people in the
cities Of this state may condemn O'FerrsI
for supporting the 16 to l proposition eyery-
one Knows as well as he that 1t will add
many vote to his column on November
next
Col. O'FerrnlPs Successor,
The question Of Col. O'Ferralps resigna-
ton as a member Of the seventh Virginia
district is creating a good deal of discussion
here now. Col O'Ferrall proposes to re-
sign now. to take effect on November 6, one
day before the election. The question is
raised whether a writ issued by the govern
or for an election for a member Of Congress
on November Z when the resignat ton ha $
not not actually occurred is valid. Gov. Nc
Kinney has forwarded to Capt Micajah
Woods the opinion OF Attorney General
Scott In reference to the resignation of
Col. OFerrall. Capt. Woods is a candidate
II
attorney general says:
In my opinion a vacancy must exist be-
fore you can issue a writ for special cleo
ton. That this election may be held on the
Ith OF November proximo. Col. O'Ferralrs
resignation must take effect at such time
as Will allow the sergeants Of the cities
and sheriffs of the counties in the district
to give at least ten das' notice by posting
copy Of the writ of election at each yot-
ing place in the county"
Chairman Ellyson.
Mayor Ellyson. the new democratic state
chairman. has begun his work as such in
real earnest. He is one OF the most
thorough party organizers in the SOUTH and
does most effective work. He is known as
the silent man because he is not at all
communicative to reporters. His utterances
have weight, however, and when he speaks
he means just exactly what the English
conveys He had just returned to the city
today from Newport News and vicinity
when he was seen by The Star correspond
ent, and. in reply to a question. said:
I'VE opened the campaign in real earnest
yesterday. 1t is the purpose of the state
committee to press the campaign vigorously
from this time on. 1 have already been in
correspondence with the county chairmen
and members Of the state committee There
will be an effective organization in every
county and city In the state. We will rely
for our success on complete organization
and hard work, though public speaking will
form no unimportant part in the campaign.
We feel that the democratic conduct Of
state affairs during the past four years
merits and will receive hearty commen-
dation of the people in the triumph and
election Of our ticket in November next"
Chairman Persons Figures.
Mr.. c. H. Pierson. state chairman Of the
peoples party Of Virginia, is very hopeful
for the future Of that party. He says that
the disaffection among the rank and file
Of the democrats is widespread and can no
longer be concealed. 1.-The free coinage
democrats, which constitute the large ma
jority of the party in Virginia." he said
"believe that the unconditional repeal of
the Sherman law Is the death blow to free
coinage. They have been taught that the
only hope for a rise in the price of their
produce is the full reconciliation of silver.
and when they see their own party. which
has always championed free coinage, de-
| liberately sacrificing their interests to the
| clamor of the gold trust they feel that they
Mr.. Bland into the true party Of the people
The situation thus becomes very interest
ing The republicans generally will support
the populists for the simple reason that We
guarantee them a free ballot and fair
count Our own strength is certainly not
less than $1,000; now add two-thirds Of the
republican vote, say 10000, and $4,000 dis
affected democrats, and We have grand
total of 10000 This will beat OFe-rall
by about II. 900 votes, a good safe margin
It will also teach Mr.. Cleveland that IT is
not healthy for outsiders to NEEDLE with
Vireinia politics"