The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-28

Senator Martin is certain 10 be re-
turned TO the United States Senate by the
LEGISLATURE which Is to he elected in Nir-
sfuta next fall" said Mr.. Joseph Button,
the Secretary Of the Virginia Senate, and
the Secretary Of the Virginia Democratic
state Committee. 20 a reporter OF The
Post yesterday. Mr. Button came 10
WASHINGTON 10 attend the dinner OF the
Virginia Democratic Association. and has
since been ia conference with the leaders
OF the party IN his state. who have been
In the city during the week.
Senator Martins friends have never
entertained any fears OF his ability to
overcome any opposition. but from pres
emf Indications" continued Mr.. Button,
he will have 10 opponent In the race.
I'p TO a snort time ago there was a possi-
hlity thai Gen. Lee would be a candl-
date but this IS now regarded As I'M
urobabIe Gen. Lee has not formally
Withdrawn. but his friends have for some
time permitted the impression TO go
abroad in the State that he viii let his
candidacy lapse in the expectation OF re-
naming in The army. There were one or
two other supposed applicants for the
senatorship. but they seem 10 have be
come GOuNltftA AtA1N M -'A~AA N--- NNAa--'ON
be defeated"
when will the legislative nominations
be nader
.aTbe twenty-one Senators who were
elected In 1897 Will hold over. good ma
iorIty Of these are strong advocates or
Senator Martin, and were, in fact, elect
ed as his avowed friends. No nomina-
tlons have yet been made, OF course. for
the lower branch OF the Legislature, and
Will not be until early summer. Senator
Martins friends in all sections OF the
state are alive to his interests, and the
best-infomad politicians in the state De
lieye that when the selections are finally
made Mr. Martin viii be satisfied
Popular with Younger + sment.
"yybere does his strength lie?'
.sHis strength is well distributed
through all sections OF the State. He is
especially well regarded by the younger
clements Of the Democracy, while the
working politicians have learned 10 re-
sDect him very highly for his safe coun-
sci. wise judgment, and systematic meth
ods. These characteristics. modestly dis
nlaved. have contributed very largely 10
the success of the party in the past.
There is also a great desire on the part
Of the Virginia Democrats to retain Sen
ator Martin. not only because he has
rnada an admirable Senator in regard 10
the interests OF Virginia, but also because
they believe that with the withdrawal
of German. Faulkner, and other leaders,
Senator Martin will find an opportunity
TO exercise that political sasacity and
conservative judgment which is recos-
nized in Virginia, and which VIII un-
doubtedly give him prominence when he
is called upon to give counsel upon great
questions OF national policy IN ther re-
lation to the Democratic Party.
.'WiH Senator Martin take an active
part in the campaign?
II have no doubt of IT. He Is always
active in our campaigns. II will be re-
memhered that he went upon the stump
two years ago and made most FAVOR
able impression. He is not a nuent ora
Tor Ike Senator Daniel, but he Is dl-
rect logical, and convincing talker. lie
will. I have no doubt, go upon the stump
as soon as the nominations are maze
and the campaign opens, visiting all parts
of the State, and discussing natlonal Is
sues"
Will BE for Bryan and Silver.
".WilI local questions enter into the cam
paign?'
None have vet developed. In 1897 the
Democrats emphasized the importance OF
retrenchment and reform in the State al
ministratiOn. but now our finances anu
general conditions are so excellent that
there is no necessity of dwelling upon that
issue Consequently, Senator Martin may
be expected TO deal entirely with nauonal
questions in his campaign. As ms Note
against the ratification of the peace treaty
showed. he is opposed 10 the expansion
policy of the administration, and stands
firmly with Bryan upon this issue, as he
- al xrri.b on the financial question,
The night in Virginia next summer and
fall will therefore be interesting, because
il will forecast the attitude Of the State in
ls00 when the time comes 10 elect dele
gates 10 the Democratic National ConVen-
ton. Personally. / believe that our can
vass next fall and the legislative elections
that will follow will indicate that Virginia
Is still strongly in favor OF the free ana
unlimited coinage OF silver. The State
convention that viii elect delegates TO the
national convention Will in my opinion,
declara positively for the reaiiiImatlon ol
the Chicago platform Of 1896 by pracu-
Cally unanimous vote. Bryan Will also
secure the delegation from the State With
out any trouble whatever He Is more
popular roW with the masses OF the Nir-
ginia Democracy than he was IN lSS6. FOR
he was then but comparatively little
known. while now IL Is generally conceded
that he has brOadened ard has shown
himself even more worthy 10 be the lead
er of the Democracy. Al the Democratic
State convention. held in stanton in the
early summer> of 1885. there was some
friction between the gold and silver wings
of the party. l do not look for the re-
Curreuce OF this episode when the State
convention meets next year,
Oppose Expansion As Unit.
How do the Democrats of Virginia
stand on the expansion question:
They are almost a unit. as far as can
see, against il, So strong Is this feeling of
opposition that / have nc doubt the gold
Democrats VIII Join with the regular Or
gauizatiOn In an earnest endeaVor 20 save
as from the dangers OF the policy which
President Mckinley is endeavOring 10
force upon the country. Ia this connec-
tiOn IL Is worth while saying that the
speech which Senator Daniel delivered
during the memorable debate which pre-
Cedeo the ratification OF the treaty IS re-
Earded everywhere as the strongest argu-
ment presented on the negative side OF
the question. and IL has added immensely
10 the high reputation which he already
enjoys. IL has had a wide circulation
throughout the State, and has won 10 the
anti-eXpEnsion cause many who. until
they read the able speech. were in doubt
as 10 their position