The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-06
FIFTH DISTRICT.
G. A. Swanson's Gallant Fight Against
Hard Opposffion Will Win.

uafu opposition VIII WIN.
DANVIILE. VA, Nov. Especial
The congressional campaign In this 'tthe
Fifth district started out with a promise
OF being rather dull and insipid. but
II soon grew quite lively and for the
past three weeks has been exceedingly so.
Bordering on North Carolina, as we do, we
very naturally caught some of the fever
that has been ana is still raging over
there, and the negro question has cut no
little figure here.
The appointment In the midst OF the
campaign of negro postmaster at
Junta, a small postofiice in Franklin
county, where nlne-teHths Of the patrons
Of the Office are white people, was made
the most of by Democrats, added zest
to the negro question. aroused the noun
taineers and has doubtless cost the Re
publican nominee for Congress several
hundred votes.
Mr.. Edmund Parr, the Republican can
diddte put up 10 oppose Claude 4.
Swanson, the Democratic nominee for
Congress, was at first regarded as n very
strong candidate, but the developments
have proven hin, TO be a weakling,
poor politician, slow worker and the
feeblest kind OF "A manager.
To some these things would commend
Mr.. Parr but they do not get votes, and
added TO these things his failure 10 OBJ
tain financial aid from the Republican
national headquarters soon handicapped
him and on the whole he has made a
weak canvass.
On the other hand, Mr. Swanson and
his friends believed in the beginning that
in Edmund Parr the Republicans had
brought out their strongest man. While
this may have, and doubtless did frighten
them some 1t also had the effect TO
al
their sleeves and go TO work In dead
earnest.
The result IS that while Parr was
Handicapped and daily developed unlock
editor weakness, Swanson strengthened
and it is now the candid opinion OF eX-
Derienced politicians and others who
have watched events closely that Swan
son will be elected next Tuesday by the
largest majority he has ever had in any
Of his three previous successful cam
paigns.
After n careful survey Of the field,
and after conference with the leaders
Of both Sides ! feel safe I'm predicting
Swansons election by from 1900 10 1000
majority. ! shall not be az all surprised
If his majority reaches $780, or even
more
1t must be said however. that DR.. G.
p. Smith, the district chairman Of the
Republican party, does not yet give up
The fight To The Times correspondent
ne has just said that he expects the
counties Of Henry. Patrick. Floyd. Gray
son and Carroll to give Parr good. round
moiorties, sufficient in the aggregate 10
overcome Swanson's big majorities In
Franklin county and the city Of Danyille.
and his very small majority in Pitt
sylvania. and finally land Parr in Con-
gress with a majority Of from 3OQto 800.
N,r. Rorer A. James the chairman OF
the Democratic District Committee,
boots at these figures. and says Swan
sons "small majority in Pittsylvania
will 90 beyond 1907 He will have 100
10 500 In Franklin, and at least loo in
Danwlle. He will carry Henry and Car
roll by small maiorites. and possibly
Patrick Parr's own county, leaving Parr
only Floyd and Grayson, and possibly a
small majority I'm Patrick. AT bost farr
can't get over 500 majority in FLOYD, and
not over go 10 300 in Grayson, While ]
do not bank on the figures Of Mr.. James
l think 1t safe 20 put Swanson down for
the figures / have named that Is 10 say
his majority wiz be from 100 TO 1000
in the district