Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-14
VIRGINIA DEMOCRACY.
A SPLIT IN TIE PARTY NAY BE BROUGHT
ABOUT
By the Recent Election Of a Senator in that
S!as-Ths Negro Question 10 be Entirely
Eliminated By DisfranchisemsnL


sDretai 7eIrorsn 10 ne Sunday Rsgtsss-.
RICHMOND, VA, January 15.-The
defeat of General and ex-Governor
F'itz Lee for the United States Senator
ship by Mr.. Thomas s. Martin is al
most certain TO leave a deep impression
in Virginia politics. The defeated
candidate for that honor is quietly pur-
suing his business affairs, and seem
ingiy giving no heed to his overthrow.
His friends on the other hand are en-
FILTERED against Martin and the meth
DDS they state were resorted TO, to ac-
complish the defeat OF their favorite.
1t is said that the fight Is to be begun at
once against thu Martin aspirants for
Congress, who took a conspicuous part
in the contest which resulted in General
Lees defeat. IN one or two districts
the Lee and Martin followers are be-
ginning to align themselves in readiness
for the struggle. ii is TO be confined
only TO the party primaries, but should IL
be pressed with the vigor with which
such tightsare usually made, it is likely
to 60 beyond such limits. General
Lee, his friends assert, is not at all
soured by his recent disappointment,
and is as
LOYAL TO THE DEMOCRACY
as ever. Still the controversy that is
now going on in Virginia, in which
leading Democrats are openly publish
ing charges OF frauds and corrupt
methods resorted To by party leaders
In the last election is almost bound to
lead TO serious results. The storm is
likely 10 become too great 20 be borne.
and may lead 70 party factions. Itmay
be mere coincidence, but those who
are making these charges are sor the
most part gentlemen who warmly
advocated General Lees election
TO the Senate. They are prom
inent and influential Democrats,
who are not bound down by the party
machine. Should this condition OF az
fairs continue, IL will not be surprising
II IL results In a bitter factional strife in
the ranks OF the Virginia Democracy.
In that possible event the old politicians
OF the state would be aTrayed on one
side, and on the other those who are
now fighting for publication OF the
political methods. Thus far the con-
troversy has been confined 20 calm
and conservative discussion o. these
matters in the party newspapers.
Recently the color line feature has been
Injected into the war OF words, one Of
the leading Democratic journals Of this
city maintaining that the continued
supremacy OF the white race IS not only
the paramount, but the only question to
be
Considered ~ THIS MATTER.
In other words the idea is II any Inn
proper methods have been resorted TO
be the Democrats 20 carry the virginia
elections, the end ia view justified the
means. This the few leading papers
demanding political reformation are
not ready 20 cDncede. The latter take
tue nigh ground that nothing can war
want the continuance Of system
which is debasiuR the people and par
ticularIy the young men OF the state.
The continued discussion OF this SUBJ
Jet promises 90 cause heart burniugs
among the leaders, which 10 may be
difficult % hoa. The old political pol
iticians, and these include some Of the
aolest and best men in the Common
wealth, do not take handily 20 such at
tempts 90 inaugurate campaign OF
reformation and publication. lu case %
any possible facUOnal bank, the class
named are pretty certain Co stand to.
gether and dRht with might aud main
any encroachments Of The now school
o. politicians.
Az the FIRST sound Of alarm the old
leaders made demand FOR Che ca.Iofa
constitutional convention, and Gill is
now pending ln the Legislature with
that object in view. The chief purpose
in calling such body is 90 amend the
organic law OF the state SO as ~ eIimI-
nate tne negroes as
A FACTOR ry roHucs.
This could be done by adopting an edu.
cati0uaI prerequisite % the right %
vote, or by some similar method. This
idea Is by no means new ono 10 is
said 90 have been suggested - Col. r.
o. Parsons, personal and intimate
friend OF Che late Secretary Blaine. az
far back as 1s5s. The bill prepared 10
submit 20 the voters the question 81
calling q state convention. Is now
quietly sleeping in the Senate. As yet
The leaders have taken no formal ace
ton o. 10 what course shall bs pursued
il .sp9-Ing 30. To ls hardly pr0babls
chat any definite action will be taken
Unit. these have agreed upon policy
Iu the present conditions Of things
nothing would be more satisfactory 10
the Virginia protective Democrats than
policy which promised tho complete
elimination of the negro az menaclnQ
factor in State politics. with thisdan-
gerous element satisfactorily disposed
Of for now and always, the white voters