Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-25
THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.
The Democrats May Be Troubled by
Their Silver Plank.
Populists Claim to BE Glad OF O'Fer-
rails NominatfOn-The Fight for
the United States Senatorship.
Special Dispatch to the Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to the Evening star.
RICHMOND. Va, Aug. 1.-The usual
calm after the storm il now being expe-
rienced IN Virginia politics The leaders of
the contending parties. however. are mar
shaling their forces for the decisive fight.
Both the democrats and populists are now
making elaborate arrangements for the
opening Of the campaign. which will occur
in a very short time. All Of the democrats
are rapidly falling In line for Col. O'Ferrall
for governor now since he has won the
nomination. 1t was feared that some Of the
Tyler and Buford men would be dis
gruntled, but II they are they are remain
ing silent on the subject. Most of the dem
ocrats are also satisfied with the platform
formulated by the recent state convention.
1t is true, however. that many of the rural
delegates would have been better satisfied
with q fiat-footed declaration for free COIN
age. There f. a strong free silver senti-
ment In Virginia, especially In Tdewater,
some difficuisy in whipping into line this
element for the "straddle" plank adopted
by the state convention.
body has been severely criticised by some
calling It absurd. The Times calls him to
task for his theories and styles them amaz-
ing fallacies.
Will Fight on Silver.
The popuiists will make their fight in this
campaign almost entirely upon the silver
question; at least they win make it the
leading issue in the fight. Next to this they
will devote most attention to the record of
Col O'Ferrall, whom they will hold up as
the administration candidate. The letters
written by Alexander and others before the
convention. detrimental to the colonel, are
81 o<1xyh f,otp fpSf nv
the populists In the matter of stumpers,
however, the democrats have very de-
cided advantage over their opponents
Many Of the leading democratic Congress
men have consented to run down here from
Washington and make speeches. Bourke
Cochran and many other brilliant campaign
orators are being counted upon.
Hill and O'Ferrali.
No one seems to know the origin of the
report that Senator Hill endeavored to de-
feat Col O'Ferralfs nomination. 1t was re-
ported here Immediately after the conven-
ton that the New York Senator had his
friends At work in the interest OF Tyler.
Gus stand taken by Col. O'Ferrali in the
last Congress, when he announced on the
door Of the House that he was for Cieve-
and Hill to a fox. This charge however, is
not sustained by an analysis of the result
In the late convention. The strongest
sent solid delegations to the state conven-
ton for Hill for President. These were the
second. fourth, fifth and sixth. They were
carried by OEerran with the same unaninai-
ty that they We're by Hill last year. Then,
too, some of the most conspicuous. Hfl
leaders in Virginia were the champions of
Chairman Ellyson and ending with Capt.
Ham Sheppard, the latter recently APP
pointed by Mr.. Cleveland collector of the
western district
MIR. O'FerralPs Seat In Congress.
Col. O'Ferran says he viii at once send
In his resignation to Gov. Mckinney as a
member of Congress for the seventh dis
trict. to take effect before the November
election. This will be done In order to give
the half dozen aspirants for Col. O'Fer-
rails seat time to open their canvass for
the nomination. Col. O'Ferrall will remain
in Congress. however. during the special
session so as to avoid the suspicion that he
is attempting to evade recording himself
on the repeal OF the purchasing clause of
the sherman act; Il would not under any
les an opportunity to charge that 1 was
avoiding my responsibility In this matter"
The contest for Col. O'Ferralrs seat in
trict committee viii in a few days cali a
convention for some date In September at
which the nominee win be chosen. 1t is
said that Basil B. Gordon, the late state
chairman. could have had the place. but he
has declined u owing to the very poor
condition Of his health. Among the as
OF Albemarle. s. S. Turner of Worden, A
Moore. tr.. OF Clarke. NJ. L. Walton of
Shenandoah. George Perkins of Albemarle
and probably several others.
THE senator~hip.
The race for the United States senator
ship is now assuming interesting phases
The determination of Gov. Mckinney to en-
ter the race for the long term adds new in
terest to the fight. The governor. It is
said. will have the support Of nearly all of
the prominent leaders OF his forces in the
campaign that resulted in his nomination
for the governorship four years ago 1t
seems to be the impression now that Sena-
tor Hunton will be elected to serve out the
unexpired term Of the late Senator Far
;he nd o sns' ter hut Is se eas the
pressed by the willy Thomas s. Martin Of
Aibemarle. Notwithstanding the damas-
the democratic convention here to indorse
formidable candidate Little Grover though.
since the generals mistake his life has been
q burden to him, for far and near he has
been joked about 1t.
To Open With Fireworks.
The opening of the democratic campaign
| will be attended by much ceremony. Col,
O'Ferrall believes in making a good show
ing on the start. and Is now said to be
technic display Of oratory to set the demo-
cratic ball to rolling. The present program
10 for the candidate for governor to open
| the fight in Tfdewater: Mai r. c. Kent.
the candidate for lieutenant governor in the
southwest. and Mai. r. Taylor Scott the
candidate for attorney general. in the val
| ley. Each of these candidates VIII remain
| in their respective fields until the ground
is thoroughly covered. This arrangement.
| Of course. may be altered to suit the ex-
| igencies OF the time.
The populist leaders, on the other hand
| are preparing for a vigorous campaign and
profess confidence in the success of their
ticket. A populist leader In speaking Of the
democratic ticket and platform to me said:
| The ticket Is not likely to create enthu-
| siasm among the farmers and the platform
| when dissected by the peoples party ora.
| tors win disgust the masses OF the people
| with democracy" He admitted that Inc
agriculturists could find no fault with Mr.
Kent. but the lieutenant governor was
| merely a figurehead and an officer Of ro
| Importance. The gentleman further de-
clared that his party preferred the nomi.
| nation Of Col. OFerrail to any man that
could be put UP. They recognized the fact
that while he had very warm friends ne
| had as many bitter enemies as any man in
| the party. and these latter II supporting
him at all, would do so in such a roidiy
| formal manner that 1t would dc the candi.
date more harm than good.