The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-07
ABOUT VIRGINIA POLL
TICS.

~
TICS.
In conversation recently with a friend
OF The Times we had the following pon-
teal predictions made TO us. we nave
nut them down as nearly as possible as
We received them. Certainly the s"o-
stance IS correctly stated:
General Fftz Lee will be the next
nominee of the Democratic pdrty
for Governor of Virginia In the
fan of 1887. when the Legislature
is elected which viii choose successor
70 Senator Daniel in the United States
Senate. Fitz Lee is immensely popular
with all classes of Nirginians, theS
feel he was cheated out of his election
10 the Senate two years ago. ana the
whole body OF the people are In the hu-
NOR now to give him anything that ne
asks for. lie can get the nomination Tor
Governor. therefore. by simply asking Tor
II. and the governorship is too good a
thing as matters stand for him TO IAN 10
put in tire request. But the movement
which viii put Fitz into the Governor
seats him there He will not only be the
popular Fitz Lee then. but he will be the
leader and embodiment of great cause.
Free silver will meet with its grave IN
the Presidential election of 1896. the ris-
Ing tide of prosperity which we now see
all over the land will be OH the increase
from that time 10 the fall OF 1884, the
people will. by that time. have learned
that II was free silyer's threat to inter-
fere with the standard Of value that
caused the panic and the suffering and
immense destruction of value that para
lyzed the country for so long, prospect
ty will be on them. they will look back
at the hideous midnight that they pass
ed through with horror and disgust, and
they will turn away from any man who
had any connection with the cause OF
their suffering. Virginia's condition then
will be that Of stream which has fiow-
ed past a bread area of fats. The free
silver theorists viii be perched upon
stumps in those mud flats watching the
stream OF prosperity rolling off ana away
nom them. while Fitz Lee, who has been
for sound money all the time, viii be
riding on the crest OF the wave. and d.
recting the flow Of the stream. 1891 VIII
see the beginning of the new era In Vir-
ginia. The past will be the period when
pessimlsm. dependency. broken con-
tracts. raids upon accumulated proper
ty. were thought to be the highways 10
success. But 1897 will introduce the era
of hope. OF enterprise OF thrift. of econ
omy. OF labor, and of exact performance
of engagements as the talisman OF pro-
gress. Fitz Lee will be the leader of the
new faith. and the men nominated Tor the
Legislature in all the counties will be
tinctured with the new idea. Lee VIII
speak in all the counties, the legislative
nominees and ne will touch elbows In
common cause, he will be borne into
the Governors chair Upon the shields OF
Its member elected with him, he viii be
their natural leader. and the rush OF the
movement which carries him there Will
never cease for one moment whilst there
b.
him. The men who come to the Legisla-
ture bearing Fitz Lee into the Cover
rCr's chair. will push him on into the
United States Senate as Senator Daniels
successor. ] have been much amused,
continued our friend. "at the efforts Of
the State to force Mr.. Thos. 5. Martin TO
declare his views upon silver. Why, bless
your soul. can't you see where Martin
is and where he is bound to DE? Mar
tin Is not lacking In certain sort OF
shrewdness. and he sees the layout as
have described II to you as well as any
one. i believe f.om what his pers )nal
friends tell me that Martin has got sense
enough TO see the humbuggery OF free
Martin is going TO land In the free sill
yer camp all the same. Martin knows
that O'Ferrall Is not In it,. and that
the State is going TO be divided into two
factions. one the old moribund pcssimists
and free coiners, led by John Daniel. ana
the other, tire new and hopeful Viz
ginians, led by Fitz Lee. IL he had any
choice he would probably come into the
new Jerusalem. But he has got no
choice. He knows the Fitz Lee crowd
will, not have him on any terms. lie
knows therefore. that he must go TO
John Daniel or be left by himself. lie
IL going, therefore. to join forces with
John Daniel. and fight with all his misnt
for the leader OF free silver. The char'
,sttssviils Progress knew perfectly well