The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17

Curious Policy of Abstentton Practiosd BY
tho Party In That State.

Curious Policy of Abstentton Practiosd By
tho Party In That State.
Tho relation which the Republicans Of Viz
ginia bear to their political brethren elsewhere
Is peculiar In the Presidential election OF 1874
the Republicans were beaten In Virginia by only
1880 votes. In 1880 the majority against Thorn
was $4,000. In 1884 the majority against them
was only 5000 and in 1888 il was only l 800
In 1896, with the support OF the combined Demo
cratic and Popullst parties in the State, Bryan's
vote was $4,000 to 5000 for Mckinley and
yet in the present Virginia Legislature there arc
only eight Republican members out Of a total of
14o, and at the last State election, that OF 1897
many OF the Republicans refused TO participate
in convention for the nomination of a State
ticket In 1898 the Republicans nomin ated no can
didates, but lot the State 20 Democratic by do
fault, and this year. though tho election L. for
Legislators only and not for Governor, ono Of the
most active Republicans in the State, Con James
A. Walker. q member Of tho Republican Execu-
tive Committee has expressed tho opinion that
his party will make no nominations for tho Legis-
lature. He thinks 1t is their policy 70 lot the
Democrats fight this campaign out by them
selves, and that the bitterness among tho mem
beers OF that party may result in some important
developments at or before the Presidential election
of next year, whom the Republicans Of tho Old
Dominion will resume their party activity
This curious method Of dealing with political
conditions in a State strongly inclined for many
reasons in favor OF Republican candidates, has
never yet been made entirely clear. Virginia Is
governed in the political action Of tho voters gen.
orally by tho Same conditions as prevail In tho
ghboring States Of Maryland and West Viz
ginia, both Of which gave substantial majorities
for President Mckinley three years ago Vir-
ginia moro than either has another ground Of
frendliness to the Republican party in respoot
10 its large manufacturing interests, tho develop
ment OF which has made Virginia almost pro-
lection State Tho interests OF Maryland arc
shipping and agricultural for the most part
whlle West Virginia as a great producer OF lum-
Der and coal, has not yet, outside OF the city OF
Wheeling taken very active part in the deyel-
opment OF manufactures. All tho conditions
seemed to operate rather in favor OF Republican
success in tho State OF Virginia than among It's
two neighbors, but an obstacle to Republican
success Is found in tho plan adopted by the local
Republican leaders Of abandoning all contests
except in each fourth year
The practical result of this voluntary Austen
ton is as follows: The State Offices OF Virginia
are in Democratic hands Tho local Offices OF
which there arc a very large number in Vir-
Einia, a State Of more than a hundred counties
(New York has only sixty one), are in Demo
cratic hands and the Democratic party has con-
troll of the shaping OF legislation, Of the ostab-
lishment Of conditions OF voting and OF tho cleo
ton machinery, an6 also administers the laws
in nearly every department The next Congress
will have nine Democratic members from Vir-
ginia with one contested case II settled in favor
OF the Republican it will give ono Republican
me NbeT, otherwise oil ton will be Democrats.
Both Senators are Democrats, and the Repubn-
cans enter into each Presidential fight under dis
advantages which it would be dflcult 10 over
rate. Yet Notwithstanding these disadvantages
they come each four years to carrying
the State that a difference OF a comparatively
few votes would change the result entirely and
give the Republicans tho Virginia electors, twelve
in number. This year there is a hot fight in
progress in Virginia for control Of the Legislature
between two factions of Democrats, and it had
been thought generally that the Republicans
would be glad of the opportunity TO increase their
membership through conflict but II advices arc
credible, the contest OF 1893 Is another which tho
Virginia Republicans will lei go by default