Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-16
HOGES SOMERSAULT.
hts REASONS FOR TIE CHANGE.
The Democratic Party Failed to Redeem
Its Pledges, and He Was Badly Treated
by tho Administration.

ROANOKE, VA. March l5.-Gpeciaip--
Roanoke was treated to another sensation
to-day in the announcement that Colonel
]. Hampton Hoge. late Consul to Annoy.
China. had delivered an address at tho
meeting of the Republican Central Com
mittec last night. In which he announced
that henceforth he would act with tho
Republican party. 1t was intended to
keep the matter secret for few days.
but the accession OF man OF Colonel
Hoges ability and prominence was too
much for the average Republican commit
teeman to keep to himself, and 80 this
morning 1t was first whispered around.
and finally boldly proclaimed. that ono
OF the widest known young Democratic
politicians In the State had left the Demo-
cratic party and had started out for tho
Republican party.
HIS SPEECH.
After n talk with several members OF
the Republican Central Committee your
correspondent IL able to make the follow
ing synopsis of Colonel Hoge's speech at
the private session last night: He declared
that the Democratic party had failed to
redeem its pledges, and for this reason
was no longer worthy of the confidence OF
the people. He said he had declared from
the stump eighteen months ago that II the
Democrats were trusted with power and
failed TO carry out their promises, he
would quit the party forever
He criticised the Hawaiian and the gen.
eral foreign policy OF the administration
and the attitude OF the Democrats as To
silver. He was pronounced and out
spoken in the declaration that he did not
intend to support Democracy. as at pres
ent administered. but. Intended mere
after TO work and vote with the Repub-
licans.
CURRENT COMMENT.
The course OF Colonel Hoge caused con-
siderable surprise and excited much COM
ment when IL became generally known,
Democrats generally condemning him, ana
Republicans expressing gratincation that
he had the "manliness' to face the issue
Most OF Hoge's personal friends, or whom
he has quite number here, regret his ac-
ton. but further than this do not express
themselves.
WHAT IT MEANS.
Some politicians see In the Colonefs
change a move on the congressional chess
board for next falrs election. and say
that the first step In the direction Will DO
Colonel Hoge's candidacy for Common
wealths Attorney for this city. shortly
after O'Clock to-day your correspondent
called on Colonel Hoge at his office ana
asked him II he had made a speech at the
meeting OF the Republican committee. He
did not deny the report. but seemed sur
prised that the fact was known, and when
asked to give the public some reason Tor
his change OF faith. said he was not In
condition to talk then, but II necessary
would make statement In due time
TREATEDsBADLY.
He seemed TO think he had been treated
badly by the administration, and that un-
der the circumstances he was under no
obligations TO the Democratic party, al
! though ne did not express himself IN 80
many words TO that effect. He said ne
| did not expect to be silent all die time.
but would be heard from so plainly that
! there would be no mistake as To his posi-
! ton
NOT A CANDIDATE.
Colonel Hoge denied later tonight the
! report published I'm an afternoon paper
that he was a candidate for the position
OF Commonwealth's Attorney, or Tor Con-
OIL