Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-12
O'FERRALL'S VOTE.
Is II Fact That Its Falling on Was Due to
ANY Personal Unpopularity of IiIs2

To the Editor Of the Dispatch
During the canvass for the nomination
Of candidate by the Dcmocra tic party
for Governor of Virginia attacks Of a
yirulent character, affecting both his
personal reputation and his loyalty as a
member Of the Democratic party, were
made upon Colonel OFerrall. But despite
~ them the great body Of the party in
Virginia. recognizing his protractel and
brilliant services 10 his party. to his
State. ana section, nominated him on the
first ballot by an overwhelming majority
thus indicating him from the aspersions
attempted 10 be east upon him. This. II
seems 10 me, ought to have closed for
ever the mouths Of his detractors and
united the party 10 man IN his support
But IL did not, for tho night against him
was continued after his nomination am
throughout the canvass which resulted
i'm d brilliant victory for the Virginia
Democracy. This opposition 10 him.
which was chiefly Of a personal nature,
resulted in his falling behind the general
ticket a few thousand votes. This fact
has been referred 10 10 prove that he was
weak candidate This, | earnestly sub
init, is not verified by the circumstances
and results of the election.
Nothing Ike the fun Democratic vote
OF the state was polled IL Is true. Well,
who had a right to expect It? Every we'll
informed man knows that there We're a
variety Of causes tending - great re-
duction OF our party vote. both of a gem
eral and local nature, with which Colo
mel OFerrall had nothing TO DO and which
he could not possibly control. Take for
instance the cities OF Richmond and Man.
chester. IN which there was large re-
duction OF the Democratic vote compared
ttrff b.. DYaaf1anffal election
partly due 10 the money panic which
had shut down business enterprises and
thrown many men out OF employment
The failure Of the removal q Republicans
from ONCE In their midst, whose terms
Of Office are supposed TO have expired,
IS another complaint which has been often
made against the administration The un-
conditional repeal OF the purchasing act
OF the Sherman law. by which 1t is be-
lieved by many that silver has been de-
monetized, entered also as an important
factor IN the late election. All OF these
things combined had the effect a pro-
ducing a degree OF apathy. TO say the
least. which curtailed greatly the Demo
cratic vote.
Again. the immense falling of OF the
Democratic vote in several northern AMI
western States Is demonstration
that there are great general causes exist
ing which-let US hope temporariiy-are
Universally affecting prejudcany the
National party. Scarcity OF money and
OF labor is doubtless the chief one.
But despite of the foregoing consldera-
lions, 1t Is charged by some Democrats,
and strangest Of all 10 say, by a few
prominent Democratic papers that. to the
unpopularity or weakness OF Colonel
O'Ftrrall IL due chiefly the reduction OF
the Democratic vote I'm Virginia Now. l
desire to submit most confldentlally that,
when II rs considered that Colonel OFFER
rail- visited every portion Of the State.
was most cordially received wherever be
went. that he made speeches at an excep-
ttonally able and eloquent character,
arousing the people In many sections To
a high degree OF interest and enthusiasm
where apathy and indifference before pre-
vailed. | say that. with these weil-known
facts staring every weli-inforyned man In
the face. Il strikes me as being entirely
without foundation, and "A gross injustice,
10 charge our gallant standard-Dearer. and
new Governor OF the State. with being