Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-16
CAMPAIGN LACKS ENERGY
Light Vote Expected in Virginia in Conse-
quenoe.
Since Senatorial Question Was Prac-
tfcaIIy settled All the Zeal
Was Eliminated.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening star.
RICHMOND. October II, 1S9


RICHMOND. October II. 1890.
The indications are that a very small vote
Will he polled in Virginia. Seldom before in
the history Of the state has so little interest
been manifested in any contest. and espe-
cialIy one involving United States sena-
torship. This lack of interest is due to the
fact that there i no strong minority party
in this state. As soon as it become appar-
ont that Martin would beat Tyler out in
the senatorial race interest died out.
There Will be a much stronger opposition
In the legislature TO the democrats than
at any session in many years. But this
opposition viii rot be powerful enough to
control any political legislation. 1t may be
tina; those who will refuse TO go into the
democratic caucus Will be able TO make
some changes in the election laws. but this
Is 10y no means certain.
The republican state committee IS doing
nothing Some years ago the republican
leaders decided that il would he the best
policy for them 10 leave the democrats to
fight among themselves in state contests
They have adhered to this policy and are
very well satisfied with the result up to
this time W hat the republicans want is a
radical change in the election laws. They
realize that this can be had only by a di-
vision in the democratic party. and this
is what they are trying to accomplish by
remaining quiet
Two years ago. when a bin was offered
IN the legislature providing a method for
the voters to express their choice of Cen-
didateS for the United States Senate 1t
was sat down upon very hard and defeated.
There is no question about the fact that a
similar measure will be passed at the next
session The agitation of this matter has
developed strong sentiment in its favor
The Martin people, who, as a rule, opposed
the bill before. are now fayoring it. or some
measure like 1t.
Senator William P. Barksdale who cham
emitted States senators two years ago says
thai there is no doubt about the bill getting
through next winter. Sentiment Is over
Wheimingly in favor of this change he
said ! am not bOthering myself about this
act, for ii Will pass without any effort Just
now l am devOting my time toward prepar-
ing bill 10 prohibit traffic in votes. We
must purify our elections in Virginia. PeO-
Die are selling their ballots In the most
oren manner. Corporations must be stopped
from spending money to carry elections
My bill VIII embrace some of the best feat
Ures # the English law and some entirely
new ones. The people. believe, will back
me UP, for it is getting to be that only
the rich can afford to run for Office
Senator Barksdale is also preparing an
antitrust bill. He has the assistance OF ex-
Senator Eugene Withers of Danville. They
expect to be able 10 draft a measure that
Will De almost entirely new. Some of the
features Of the Texas and Ohio laws will be
Incorporated in this act.
There seems to he no doubt that the bill
providing for a constitutional convention
viii pass Some Of the ablast men nominat-
cd for the general assembly agreed 10 run
solely because they wanted 10 get this
measure through The people will have to
Vote N the question by calling cOnven-
ton. but ii Is generally thought in political
circles that the proposition will be over
whrlmingly carried if submitted to the vot-
e~s. The office holders, a. a rule, are fight
ing the scheme, for q convention would
mean q reduction Of Offices by about one
half
With the ordering Of convention would
come one Of the greatest political fights
ever Witnessed in Virginia The corpora
tons would make a Tremendous effort TO
control it. and the republicans. populists
and Independents would fight 70 elect dele
gates opposed 20 the restriction of suffrage
by imposing an educational qualification.