New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
FACTION FIGHTS IN VIRGINIA.
REPUBLICAN SUCCESS IN TWO OR THREE
CONGRESS DISTRICTS IMPERILLED.

CONGRESS DISTRICTS IMPERILLED
Washington Oct. Is (SpecaD.-The Republicans
Of Virginia seem deliberately TO have determined
10 throw away two or three Congress districts
which rightfully belong to the party rather than
subdus their factional desires and desist from
rue.or-run policy. of which only the leaders Of
one faction the other possibly hope to be
the bene1ciaries. To who investigates and sees
the true inwardness OF Republican politics in the
Old Dominion to-day. all the protestatons made by
the leaders and their cutlery against the use OF un-
fair and fraudulent political methods by the Demo-
Gratis seem absurd in the extreme
For example according to evidence the truth OF
most Of which has been frankly confessed by the
parties thereto. conspiracy existed among promi-
nent Republicans in the Id Virginia District two
years ago to defeat the Republican nominee for
Congress. and most. II not all. Of them voted for
his free-silver Democratic opponent The only rea-
that could he assigned for this was
that he had been nominated by regularly chosen
delegates OF the party, who did not recognize or
acknowledge allegiance to the machine whose
directors and managers were office-seekers. as In
years past they had been office holders. They put
up machine candidate. He had confessedly
nothing behind him except the machine" In the
stress of the Presidential campaign this machine
candidate who. according TO evidence in the pos
session Of the Republican Congressional Commit
tee had scarcely az many Republican votes behind
him as there in the so-called delegate conven-
ton that nominated him. was Withdrawn. he mad
been nominated by means as fraudulent and
fair as any Democratic method Of which respec-
table Virginia Republicans Justly complained.
This year the machine" again resorted 10 the
methods Of two years ago, ard placed a candidate
I'm the field who II alleged. was repuGnant TO
the great body Of Republican voters. The anega-
tons were carefully and thoroughly investigated
by the Republican Congressional Committee which
found that they were sustained by the evidence,
and refused TO recognize the machine" candidate
lido. Of no a
should be regularly chosen by A convention COM
posed of delegates fairly elected. Such a conven-
ton was held, but the machine candidate did
not submit his claims to its sufrages and it was
wholly ignored by the machine" leaders. who are
all ofice-holders ofice-seekers and none Of whom
II IS asserted with strong showing OF evidence
could he elected TO any office whatever in the Con-
gress district Thus the matter stands. Two Re
publican candidates In the field in a Republican dis
trict against Democratic candidate who can prob
the district or at least have more than one-third
of it returned for him and he declared elected!
a similar condition of affairs exists in the WITH
District. except that the packers OF the machinG
haze WI me her sHPPGr
and legitimate candidate, however, feel they nave
trict two wears ago. to fear that this is only
pretence especially in view OF the fact that all the
deputy collectors OF internal revenue are WORKING
1t would be needless further particularze The
situation in Virginia, which ought to be a good
one, and the prospect. which ought 10 be prom
isirig one are the reverse. Northern Republicans
who have thoroughly investigated the matter have
become disguised. and they do not hesitate TO de-
clare that 'Republcan party management in Nir-
Cnia is rotten" In conversation with Tribune
Correspondent to-day member Of the Republican
Congressional Committee, who had read and sfted
all the testimony. SAID:
II believe there is lodging the conclusion that
the CLIQUE of Federal office holders who are manip-
ulatng Virginia Republican politics care nothing
whatever for Republican success in the Congress
elections Some of them are not Republicans at all
I'm any true sense. If they can manage 10 hold
For tbat reason they fear to have the party gain
any success which might operate to their personal
The upshot will be that Virginia, instead OF the
four or 1--WE Republican representatives she is right
fly entitled TO- will probably have only one or TWO
j., Inc I,VIth Congress The difference Is pretty
steep price for the Republican party OF the Nation
10 nav for the leadership of the Bradys. the Bow
dens the Aliens and the Agnews in that state.