Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
A TRIANGULAR FIGHT
Contest for the Senatorship From
Virginia.
PULSES OF THE POLITICIANS QUICKEN
Daniel, Lee and O'FerraII in the
Race.
NEXT NOVEMBER'S ELECTION
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va, July 6, 1895.
The temperature Of the free silver-sound
money agitation throughout Virginia Is
| now welding a strong influence upon the
forecast in the forthcoming triangular fight
for United States Senator Already the
pulses of politicians are perceptibly quick
ening through general concession that the
state senatorial election next fall will prove
decisive of the question whether Senator
John w. Daniel, whose eloquence mas re-
sounded through the halls of Congress for
some twelve years, will retain his seat IN
that dignified body or be succeeded by Gen.
Fftzhugh Lee, ex-governor of Virginia, or
Charles T. O'Ferrall, formerly Congress
man from the seventh district, now gov
ernor Of Virginia.
The twenty members Of the upper house
who will be- chosen on the first Tuesday IN
November next will retain their seats until
after the big political question is settled
Upon this election hinges largely the result
of the United States senatorship, while the
election of the state senators themselves
depends in q great measure upon the free
silver issue.
The advocates of free silver in many sec
lions of the state are almost as numerous
as clamorous. and that is saying great
deal :. In other sections the thinking
classes shy off from the new squirt of an old
theory. Politicians with radical views, and
folk with energy, patience, strong conVic-
tionS and still stronger lungs, are making a
deal of noise in southwest Virginia and in
sorne parts of the tidewater section, while
scattered hither, thither and yon through
out the state the dishonest dollar has many
disciples. On the other hand, conservative
men who cling to sound money can be
found everywhere in Virginia, and non-pa
tisan critics hold that what they lack In
vocal and journalistic agitation is offset by
a permanent and vital influence.
The Triangular Fight.
However this may be, 1t is pretty well
settled If not by the candidates themselves
at least by their friends and supporters,
that this contest for the next highest hon
or within the gift of Virginians will be
close neck-and-neck event. whose result
will offer no odds to the political sporting
man.
When Gen. Lee was appointed by Presi-
dent Cleveland internal revenue collector
for the western district of Virginia some
few newspaper correspondents wrote around
the country that an acceptance would prob
ably cripple his prospects for the senator
ship. Others sensibly held that unsought
honors from an outside source could not
affect for the worse the political future Of
a man whose name has been for years
household word throughout Virginia.
Gen Lee has not yet announced himself
a candidate for the senatorship. Many of
his warm friends and supporters have
urged him to enter the race however, and
contest approaches he will be unable to re-
sst the pressure brought to bear upon him.
His views on the silver question have not
been authoritatively announced since the
recent oratorical outburst over the white
metal. He is generally understood to be
sound money man, with views based upon
a careful deiberation Of the question In
both lights.
Gen. Lees Strength.
Gen. Lee would put up a stubborn fight
for the senatorship. He is, perhaps. the
most popular man in Virginia today. His
friends and admirers are not confined to
any one portion of the state. His whole
souled genial nature bubbling over with
kindness for humanity in general, and
Nirgnians in particular, makes him the idol
of the Virginia people. His presence at
public gathering is always a signal for
spontaneous outbursts of applause Gen.
Lees war record, his personal magnetism
in private life, attractive power the
stump and honorable administration as
governor of Virginia, during which he made
new friends everywhere, are used as argu-
ments for his strength a candidate. He
is personally acquainted with every local
politician of any prominence in the state
with whose interests he is SO closely iden-
titled
Daniel, the Orator.
Several noteworthy facts may be men,
toned in connection with each of the can
didates. All three have splendid military
records. Each was badly wounded in bat
tie. High public offices have been ably filed
by them all. Two of them have been in
fluential members of Congress, and two
have performed the duties of the chief eX-
ecutive of Virginia with marked ability
Each is known in every nook and corner of
the commonwealth. 1t is a question which
of the three Is more popular in Virginia,
and all three are excellent stump speakers.
When the campaign opens there will be in
interest develODnlant n
strength by the three political giants of
the state.
Senator Daniels powers as an orator
make him one of the most widely known
rlen in the south. His speeches in Con-
gress and elsewhere have been widely read
and heartily praised, at the same time WIN
ming for him the title Of THE Lame Lion
of Lynchburg." With his splendid military
and political record he is expected to re-
ceive a strong support from various parts
Of the state. He will doubtless develop
great strength among the free silverites.
His pronounced views so often publicly an
nounced and advocated from the platform
In behalf of free silver are well known to
every reader of the newspapers.
Gov. O'Ferrnll in the Race.
Gov. O'Ferrall has not yet announced
himself candidate for the senatorship.
He thinks there is yet ample time to reach
decision in the matter, and has conse-
quently concerned himself very little. to
all appearances. 1T Is yet time enough to
think over the question:" said he, but if
should decide to become a candidate 1 am
not under such obligations to any probable
competitor as to prevent me from entering
the race"
1t Is a well-known fact that the governors
mail brings him almost daily batch Of let
ters from friends in various parts of the
state, urging him to be a candidate for the
high position, with many cordial assur-
ances of confidence in his success should
he consent to run. The impression prevails
that Gov. O'Ferrall will enter the contest
with strong backing. AS yet he has made
no statement for publication setting forth
his views on the silver question, though he
is Understood to be a sound money man,
welded neither to gold nor silver, but
wiling to indorse any medium that bears
upon it's face an honest dollar of 100 cents.
He thinks the great money controversy will
be settled somehow in the near future.
Unless this can be done by going to loan,
which he seriously doubts, he is willing to
leave the colossal question to international
agreement, which, in his opinion, is the
only solution of the problem.
Teachers Mt Denver.
The National Educational Association
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