Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-05
OUTLOOK IN VIRGINIA
Republicans Fighting for Two Con-
gressional Districts.
HAVE HOPES OF TIE I'd AND THE sFH
Proposed Disfranchisement Drives
Negroes From Democrats.
LATTER BECOMING ALARMED

While the electoral vote of Virginia will
undoubtedly be cast for Bryan and Steven
son, even the most sanguine democrats ad-
mt that the ticket will receive much
smaller majority than was polled in 1896
Not since the days when the late General
William Malone was leader in the old
dominion has the republican management
conducted such an energetic and vigorous
campaign as is now being waged. At re-
publican headquarters in Richmond the
greatest confidence prevails as to the result
in at least two congressional districts in
the state, and two others are claimed as
doubtful.
The districts that are regarded as GER
tainly republican are the second and ninth.
now represented by DR.. Richard Wise and
William Rhea, respectively. The former.
while republican, was seated in the Fifty
sixth Congress only after a contest, which
showed that at the previous election gar-
ing frauds were practiced in all sections Of
the district. In the ninth district fraud
was also charged, and the right of Mr..
Rhea to a seat in Congress was contested
by General James A. Walker but his claim
was adversely passed upon by the House
in the closing days of the session. Under
normal conditions the democrats concede
that both the second and ninth districts
are to be regarded as doubtful. In the
present campaign local issues have made
them certainly republican by substantial
ma joritieS.
Cause of Democratic OBJECTIONS.
The cause of the democratic disaffection
is the fact that the party in the state has
Endorsed the holding of a constitutional
convention. which, it is thought will dis
franchise many voters in all sections of the
commonwealth. 1t is the purpose of this
convention to draft an amendment to the
state constitution which will, in many re-
spects. be similar to the recent election law
passed in North Carolina. Henry L. May
nard. the democratic candidate for Con-
gress, in the second district was an ardent
supporter of the new measure while in the
state senate. In his district, which COM
prises the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth
and Newport News, live the largest num-
Der of negroes in the state. This vote,
while in large measure supporting Bryan
in 1896 or not voting at ALL are now deter
mined to cause the overthrow of Maynard,
who they believe was instrumental in caus-
ing the Introduction at the last session OF
the state legislature of the measure that
will practically disfranchiSe them. In the
city of Newport News. where are situated
the greatest shipbuilding plant on the At
lantic coast and many other industries, the
laboring classes have never enjoyed a
greater degree of prosperity than during
the past four years, and are almost "a unit
in the support of the present administra-
ton.
The population of the rural sections Of
the district Is largely given up to the rails
ing of early vegetables for the northern
markets, and on account of the high prices
of their commodities, are Indifferent as to
the result of the election. In the city OF
Norfolk the shipping interests, which are
large, are opposed to a change of admins
tration, as the business of the port for the
past four years was the largest in its his
tory. ....a
Democrats Stirred Up.
The republicans count on these conditions
to give the national and congressional ticket
a large majority. That the democratic
management is thoroughly alarmed Is
shown by the campaign that Is being con-
Quoted In past elections everything has
been taken for granted. and little effort
made to bring out the vote. The present
contest, however, has been fought from
start to finish. All of the democratic SPELL
binders have been pressed into service and
have invariably been sent to the second and
ninth districts.
The republicans claim that the constitu-
tional convention issue has been the prin-
cipal factor In making victory certain in
the ninth district. Mr.. Rhea was a sup
porter of the measure. although his dis
trict was the only one in the state that gave
a majority against it. Gen. James A. Walk
er. the republican nominee, has been using
this with telling effect throughout the en-
tire campaign, and has severely criticised
his opponent for supporting = measure
which was to, say the least. bitterly OPP
posed by the citizens of the district.
General Walker also retains his personal
popularity with the old soldier vote. and
will keep this faction in line for the repub-
lican ticket.
Democrats Ask for Help.
The ninth district is located in the mining
and cat.le-raising section of the state, and
both of these industries are f1ourishing as
they have not done for years. There has
not been a strike in the Virginia mines of
any consequence during the Mckinley adj
ministration, and the people are universal
ly prosperous.
The republican management rely upon
these conditions to give the ticket at least
800 majority. The democrats are appre-
hensive, and have issued an appeal to the
state committee for help. Senator Daniel
ard Attorney General Montague and
host of other speakers have spent several
weeks in the district and are anxious for
the success of both the national and con-
gressional ticket: So confident are the re-
publcans of success in the second and
ninth districts that Chairman Babcock of
the national congressional campaign COM
mittee has been assured that at least two
republican members will be sent to the
Fifty-seventh Congress from Virginia.
The Richmond. District.
The republicans also claim that they will
probably carry the Richmond district,
which in former years gave the party
large majorities. 1t is doubtful, however,
that this claim will be verified, although
the democrats will regard 800 as a good
majority for their ticket. Mr.. Morgan
Treat, who is one of the most astute poll
ticians in the state, says that he is unable
to see how the state will give larger ma
jority for Bryan and Stevenson than
G Tn, hp oil n RTvan
the state by over 1900
TAKOMA PARK AND VICINITY.