The Washington times., 1894-07-22
UNITE AGAINST THE FIELD
Compact of Old Dominion Populists
and Prohibitionists.
LIVELY CAMPAIGN PREDICTED
Fusionists Claim Six Congressional Districts.
Direct Legislation the War Cry-stats
Election Law Condemned-Dressy Talk
BY Editor Pierson.

The Populist party Of Virginia Is actively
preparing for vigorous and an aggressive
campaign in the fall It has at Its head an
efficient executive committee. composed OF @.
H. Pierson, editor of the Virginia Sun, al
Alexandria; Julian M. Ruffln, OF Old Church.
Walter E. Grant, Of Grantland, and J. B.
Watkins, Of Hallsboro. The details OF the
campaign arc under the immediate direction
of Chairman B. Haskins Hobson, Of Belona,
whose time from now until the votes are
counted in November belongs to his party.
There will be no let-up on the part OF the
managers, and the fight for supremacy
promises to be the most lively that the Old
Dominion has witnessed in years.
A TIMES reporter called upon Mr.. Pierson
| IN Alexandria. Va. yesterday. and obtained
his views Of the political situation.
In response to intsrrogatorie5 propounded,
| Mr.. Pierson said:
Il should preface my remarks with word
| OF commendation Of THE TINES. We have q
| high regard for it down here in Virginia, as a
| fair. fearless, and consistent journal; as such
| ii commands our respect.
"As to the political situation and the part
the Populists will have in the campaign,
have to say that We propose to use all honor
| able means to win 4 majority OF the Congress
sional districts. We will have a candidate in
every one Of the ten districts, with fair pros
| pect of success in at least six.
"The Populists and Prohibitionists will
| each hold a state convention in Lynchburg
| on the 23d of August, when both will map
out campaign.
TO UNITE PoPULIsTs AND PRoHIBITIoNIsTs.
"There is movement on foot to unite the
| two parties on the basis Of the referendum
that is to say. direct legislation by the people
upon all questions, the voters passing upon
are many in the Populist party who believe
that something should be done with the liquor
traffic, and upon that question there is q
basis Of union. l mention this as an ex-
ample.
''The success OF the Prohibitionists at the
late Norfolk city election has encouraged
that party and increased its enthusiasm.
Should the two organizations combine their
aggregate voting strength, based upon the last
election, would be about $4,000 votes. The
disaffection in the Democratic party caused
by the failure of Congress to redeem the party
pledges In the matter of free coinage Of silver
and on the tariff question, makes it certain
that we will have the active support of thou
sands of Democrats, and it is equally certain
will decline to vote either ticket. This is
especially true of the Sixth district. In the
Third (Richmond) district there are many
Democrats who decline longer to support Mr..
Wise for Congress. and strong opposition
nomination then will prove formidable in case
Mr.. Wise should be renominated.
HOTTEST CAMPAIGN SINCE REApJUsrER TINES
Contrary to the advice of Gen. Malone
there is prospect that straight Republican
will be nominated in the First, Second, Fourth,
Ninth, and Tenth districts. respectively, and
also in the Richmond district So this is
likely to be the hottest political campaign
that Virginia has seen since the readjuster
times.
1.-The Democrats will be on the defensive.
There seems to be no enthusiasm among
them. and prominent men in almost every
county are deserving their ranks.
There is good deal of dissatisfaction in
the Democratic party over Senator Daniels
course in reinquishing the last vestIge OF
states rights by moving in the Senate to
indorse the Presidents use OF Federal troops
in Chicago, against the protest OF the state
executive. This cannot be successfully ex-
planned to yirginians, and they are wonder
ing what will be the next radical departure
from the faith of their fathers which they will
be called upon to indorse.
Another cause for dissatisfaction is the
election law We have. 1t purports to be
duplicate of the Australian ballot system. 1t
no more resembles that law than chalk does
cheese. Under it two Democrats and one
Republican at each precinct, the latter gen.
orally the most ignorant colored man that
can be found, will conduct the election. 1t
provides that double the number of ballots
supposed to be required will be supplied to
each precinct, and any surplus there may be
after the polls close are to be destroyed. This
~. .l-f1
ference between the real Australian system
and ours.
NOT SANCTIONED By DEMOCRATS.
SIT provides also for the appointment Of
special constable to mark the ballots of the
illiterate voters. and forbids their inspection
by anybody after they are marked. You can
see that there is no check possible upon any
game which the majority may choose to play,
and the law has not the unanimous sanction
OF the Democratic party by any means. The
Staunton News, straight Democratic paper,
classed it as the most outrageous piece of
legislation that was ever placed upon the stat
ute books in a free and enlightened country
1.-THE fact that the national administration
has smiled upon the attempt to divide the
negro vote and divert part Of it to the DEM
ocratic party has served to break down the
prejudice that has so long had its effect upon
men see that in the early future there will be
but little choice between parties on the color
line, and so they are the more ready to re-
nounce old party allegiance.
NO COMPROMISE WITH REPUBLICANS.
"The plan Of the Populists will be to pre-
pare for the difficulties that confront us. We
will strive to educate the voters, and outside
the enclosure on election day will keep tally
Of our votes. Some who are most indignant
at the object OF the election law have declared
that in case it be conclusively shown, after
the votes are counted. that we have been sub |
jects of an outrage they will have redress |
then and there.
ave have no understanding with the Re- |
publicans, nor do we consult, confidentially |
or otherwise, as to the conduct of tho cam |
paign or discuss measures or men. II the |
vote our ticket land doubtless |
many wilD, we shall be glad Of their help, |
but It will be the result of no compromise or |
exchange of pledges. The coalition of Popu- |
lists and Prohibitionists, if consummated, will |
be upon = common platform, and the candi- |
dates will probably be designated as Populist- |
nominees. Such q coalition is |
not yet assured, Of course, but whether as a |
or upon straight party lines, the |
Populists will be in the field with full list OF
candidates and platform appealing to the
people for support, and We will have fair |
Of success"