Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-09
Virginia Republicans Aroused by
Recent Events.
EFFECT OF COL. LAMBS ELECTION
Looking Forward to the Presiden-
tiaI Campaign.
REED AND M'KINLEY FAVORED


RICHMOND, December, D. 1895.
the whole over tie election of successor
to Gen. VIM. Malone as state chairman
and member of the national committee has
aroused the latent interest in republican
affairs in Virginia to greater degree than
has been exhibited since the last pres-
Dental campaign, and the party as an &C
tive factor in affairs of state is being large
ly discuss ed.
In the opinion of the prominent members
of the party here. however, it is too early
for the effect that the proposed reorgani-
cation of the party might be expected to
have to make any decided showing: hut
they regard the time as propitious and the
prospects for uniting ana solidifying the
| ranks Of the party the brightest for mary
campaigns.
The displacing of some of the members
of the state committee, who had been rec
commended by the executive committee. to
make room for other members favorable to
the election of the successful candidate for
the craftsmanship, has undoubtedly created
satisfaction with several members of
the party who have shown themselves po-
tent heretofore in the organization of vot-
ers, and they will be hard to reconcile but
the movement for a reorganization has
largely increased the activity of the party
The meeting and the election of leader
developed several surprises, not the least
OF which was the lack of strength shown
for the position by Gen. James A. Walker.
AT the time of Mahone'S death. Gen. Wal
ker and Col. Lamb were mentioned as can
didates of equal strength, but in the COM
lnittee Gen. Walker received small vote,
ana a portion Of the members from his
own district voted for Col.Lamb as against
him.
The Virginia republicans always stand
shoulder to shoulder national issues and
poll their concentrated strength at presi-
dental elections. and the Tact that another
presidential contest Is looming up accounts
for the awakening interest among republi-
can party men.
Divided Between Reed and Mckinley
The state is, perhaps, nearly evenly d.
vided in preference between Mckinley and
Reed. Mr.. Mckinley having his strongest
adherents in the valley and southwest Viz
ginia, while the big man from Maine can
count his strongest supporters in the east
ern half
This consideration had large influence
on the action of the committee at its re-
cent meeting in electing a chairman, as
the friends of each. Mckinley and Reed,
believed Col. Lamb favorable to their man
This grew out of the fact that Col Lamb
participated In the Mckinley conference
something like two months ago In Wash
lngton, and also in a conference of Reed
men in New York a month later. and each
faction. therefore classed him as a partisan
or their side. Col. Lamb was probably in
Y1ted to each because he was looked on as
Gen. Mahofe's natural successor.
His bitterest opponents do not charge
that he was playing double game, or that
he committed himself at either conference
but true 1t Is that delegates from both
ranks voted for him for chairman with the
could be counted for their candidate
Col. Lamb has stated since his election
that he Is friendly to both Mckinley and
Reed, but that he is in position that pre-
vents MN from expressing any preference
1t is hard t. determine which of the two
presidential candidates named is stronger
In Virginia, and no others are being dis
cussed. For Instance. Jacob Yost, who is
contesting the seat of Congressman Tucker
from the tenth district, is counted q strong
Mckinley man, while Col. ]. D. Brady Of
Washington. lis counsel in the contest, is
Strong advocate OF Mr.. Reed.
Divisions Among Republicans.
The divisions among republicans closely
allied in most matters are thus wide on
presidential preferences and though. In
this case. 1t is attributed by unfriendly
critics to a desire to curry favor with the
winning man. no matter which one sue
ceeds, the fact. nevertheless, remains and
makes the contest in Virginia peculiarly
interesting
Recent visitors to Richmond from West
Virginia look ccmplacently on the appar-
emily uni eeoncilable split among demo-
Gratis OF that state on the financial uues-
ton, ard prophesy a big republican victory
there next year. A former prominent re-
publican Of this state. who now resides In
West Virginia. says the split in that state
is as wide as it was in Maryland between
German snd the Sun. 1t is a coincidence
that since Mr.. Lowndes has been elected
governor In Maryland. his brother, a lead
ing merchant of Clarksburg, w. Va, is
prominently mentioned in connection with
the same Office in that state
The West Virginia republicans are look
ing forward to the national convention
common interest, and IL West Virginia is
given any choice In the matter the next
Vice President will be named EIkins" He
also mentions that Judge Gon has a strong
following for the same nomination,