Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-05
sunday. NOVEMBER 8. 1899
THIS WEEKS ELECTIONS.

On Tuesday of this week Virginia and
ten other States have elections for more
or less important objects
We are 10 choose one-half of the num-
Der of our state senator's and all the
members of the House Of Delegates. The
LEGISLATURE thus formed will elect
United States senator. and will be re
quired to take action upon two proposed
constitutional amendments; otherwise, so
lar as can be forecasted now, its pro-
ceedlngs will be without extraordinary
interest. II may be, however, that the
revival Of business in the state VIII
cause applications TO be made for rail-
road and other charters. and that much
discussion may follow them.
So far as the country at large is con-
oerned, the eyes Of the people cannot be
said 10 be upon Virginia. 1t Is conceded
that each branch Of our Legislature will
be Democratic by safe majority. 1t fol
lows, therefore, that the United States
senator will be a Democrat. But il our
political situation mas no interest for out
siders, that is no reason why it should
be without interest and importance 10 Us.
Others view our contest with respect TO
its bearing upon national issues. but We
must look at II as it affects our home
life 1t is not enough that we should
carry the State. That We shall do. sure
~. We ought to do more; We ought to
see TO it that indepcndentism makes no
gains in Virginia.
None but whites ever will be allowed
10 govern this State, and the great ma
jority Of our whites always will be Dem
ocrats. 1t follows that the county which
sends an Independent 10 the Legislature
will not be half represented there. 1t
would have no voice in the choice of
United States senator None IN the cleo
ton Of Capitol officers. None, probably,
in passing upon constitutional amend
ments. indeed, its voice would be ST.
fenced, It's vote unaVailing. on all mea-
sures which II has been the custom Of
the Democratic caucus to discuss ana
determine. So. while we can well under
stand tho apathy which prevails in the
counties where our candidates have a
walkover, we hope thore Is quite a differ
ent feeling where opposition has reared
itself.
The DANGEROUS man Is not the Repubh
can. nor the INDEPENDENT" but the IN
dependent Democrat" who. under one
guise or another. with one grievance or
another. insists that he is "better
Democrat than Ben. Hin." whilo be re-
Jects tho pleadlngs and spurns the COM
mands Of our duly constituted authori-
Ties. Those are the candidates who need
our chief attention, and who ought to be
defeated on Tue day next.
Our position upon this occasion is that
which We have occupied at every election
since the Republicans fled TO cover end
left their work to be doue by lndepend
ents 1t is, politically speaking, that w
cannot but regard Independents as enc
mics. and must treat them accordingly
We cannot be upon terms of political
arnity with men who are opposing their IN
diy,dual ambition 10 the will of The party
as expressed by the authorities empower
ed TO act. The supremacy Of party au
thority was duly and emphatically recog
uized in the resolutions adopted by th'
MAY Conference, and Il Is a cardinal tenet
with all good party Democrats who are un
Influenced by the passions and pc lndice
Of the hour. In short, the duty Of Nir
ginia Democrats Tuesday will be what 4
has been IN all crises Of the past
20 leave personal prejudlccs at home and
to 20 70 the polls and vote for the Demo
cratic nominees. Then We may account
Virginia safe, not only in our logislatly,
majority. but In devotion 10 our party.
And now about the other States whicl
vote on Tuesday. the eth instant. Ohi'
We 90 not regard as Democratic state
Usually. Of late years. II has gone Re
publican. aud we can hardly expect 1t 4
do otherwise TINS year. when Mr.. MoKin
ley and Mr. Hanna both are pleading
with the voters 10 stand by them. Fur
thermore. ,the Republicans now have 70
use I'm Ohio probably the largest cam
paign fcnd ever raised for any singh
State The administrations friends hay
rallied 10 It's hSlp. and Federal Office
holders all over the land have been ere
auested' 10 contribute. The only elemen
OF uncertainty In Ohio IL the Independent
eandicscy OF Golden Rule Jones; bu