Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-06
ABSENCE OF ORATORY
Marked Feature of the Coming Cam
paign in Virginia.
DEMOCRATS EXPECT a WALKOVER
Independent Movement, However,
is Likely to Cause Trouble.
PARTY SPLIT IMMINENT
PARTY SPLIT IMMINENT


Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va. October 3, 1899.
The campaign in Virginia will not be a
talking" one. There will be less of stump
speaking than in any canvass in many
years. One reason for this Is that funds
are scarce. The state democratic commit
tee. believing that its party will easily elect
a majority of the members of the general
assembly, does not feel that it would be
wise at this time to appeal for money.
therefore. the campaign will be conducted
just as economically as possible.
AS rule, the candidates who have been,
or will be- nominated will have to rely
upon their own efforts to be elected. State
Chairman Ellyson and Senator Thomas s.
Martin will be the largest contributors to
the campaign fund. Mr.. Elyson is expect
ing to make a trip to most of the congress
sional districts, and he will pay his own
expenses. Mr.. Martin will make few
speeches, and he will not only pay his own
expenses wherever he goes, but will con-
tribute his share toward keeping up party
headquarters in this city
Many Independent Candidates.
While there are numerous independents
coming out against the regularly nominated
democrats, State Chairman Ellyson does
not appear to be at all alarmed. He be-
lleves that much of the disaffection that ex-
lists in democratic ranks will be healed be-
fore election day. Mr. Martin looks at the
situation through the same glasses. He
does not fear defeat at the hands of any
combination that may be formed against
him. The senator will go into several of
the counties where the war against him
Is the hottest and make speeches. Senator
Daniel Will also make few addresses from
the stump in closely contested districts.
Others who will appeal to the democratic
voters are Representatives Swanson Hay
Rhea and Mr. Marshall Mccormick, who
will run for governor in 1901.
Considerable interest is felt in the course
that Will be pursued by Governor Tyler and
his friends. The governor still contends
that he will win out Some persons who
are supposed to enjoy his confidence think
he will shortly admit his defeat and call
on his friends to support Mr. Martin. Very
little credence is given here to the rumors
that the governor is encouraging OPPOSE
ton to the regularly nominated democratic
candidates in the hope that he may be
elected senator without going into the
caucus of his party. He has several times
been defeated in his political aspirations,
and has the reputation of taking a politi-
cal beating about gracefully as any man
In the state.
Signs of Serious Split.
Politicians who can discern the smallest
wire afar off do not make light of the in
dependent movement. They claim to see in
1t the nucleus of opposition to the So
called democratic machine that will give
trouble. AS yet less than half of the demo-
cratic nominees are opposed and probably
two-thirds of them will have a clear field
on the day of election. Yet there is no
mistaking the fact that there are signs of
political unrest in the state. The lack of a
strong minority party is keenly felt. Wise
men have for years been predicting that
there was bound to be a division in the
democratic party in Virginia. 1t has come,
but has started on a small scale.
The fight is going to be on the election
laws. Some of those who a few years ago
were earnest advocates of the system now
in operation are crying out against It.
They say that it is being used longer
much to defeat republicans as to keep a
fractional element in the democratic party
in control.
William A. Anderson of Lexington. the
chairman of the Senatorial Reform League,
who is one of the trainers of the Anderson
Mccormick election law, is said to be of
opinion that the act that he instru-
mental in having placed upon the statute
books has served its day and usefulness.
Mr.. Anderson has not publicly expressed
himself on this question. but gentlemen
who supposed to enjoy his confidence
say he would now make material changes
in the election laws were it within his
power to do
Opposition to Democrats.
There will be larger opposition to the
regular democrats in the next legislature
than at any session since 1887. This oppo-
sition will be composed of independent dem
ocrats, republicans and populists. Wher-
ever a democrat runs as an Independent
against the democratic nominee republicans
and populists will rally to his support.
These independents will be, if the prece
dents that the democratic caucus has es-
tablished are followed, refused admission
to that body, and they Will, naturally, form
a coalition with the republicans and popu-
lists for offensive and defensive work
BY similar methods the Malone party
got into power and ruled the state for four
years
CLEARING TONIGHT.