Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-03

been on the way to Springfield with a
long persimmon pole when the wires
flashed the news of the nomination of
William L. Mason. Mr.. Reeves. when a
candidate for governor, showed far
more caution. He had 4 host of loyal
friends and came within an ace of Sc
curing the prize when, as usual. the un-
expected happened. The son of old
Dick Yates, the war governor, SHE'D his
castor in the ring. combination was
affected, and both Hopkins and Reeves
were pitched over the ropes. They have
returned to the House all the better for
their experience, and are again tramp
ing the aisles OF legislation with their
usual audacity. The molecules have
gone to sleep, but will undoubtedly
again put on their war paint at the
first opportunity.
An analysis of these animated mole
cues proves that they are the smallest
part of u substance that can exist &C.
parately and still retain its compost
ton and properties. AS distinguished
from an atom, they are the structural
unit of physics. That they are SO power
full is almost miraculous. One can hard
ly realize how such an innnitessimal or
ganism could affect so remarkable a
man as Gen. Grosvenor, of Ohio The
animated gubernatorial molecule, how
ever, has several times been discovered
in his vicinity, and 1t has been gravely
and repeatedly asserted in the House
that he is a candidate for governor. II
this be true, there are lively times
Fahead next year Grosvenor will put up
a fight worthy of the days of Tom Cor
win and Foghorn Allen. If the mole
Guile becomes frisky the general is sure
to stir the nation to the core. The
campaign would be one rarely equaled.
and never eXcelled. \ better rough and
tumble fighter in politics than Grosvc-
nor was never known. He would sweep
over Ohio like II forest fire. 1t would re-
Quire something stronger than water to
put out the blaze.
His ori1amme would be carried from
Gallipolis to Cuyahoga, and the fan
faron of his trumpet heard from Gin
| cinnati to the Western Reserve. No
man could more thoroughly arouse the
enthusiasm OF the Republicans and
more completely excite the ire of the
Democracy. 1t would be campaign
memorable for many year AS the
spokesman for the administration, he is
the most versatile and accomplished of
the Buckeye bodyguard-making far
more noise than Mark Hanna and
creating an impression equally as ia
vorable. \ visit to the Columbus and
the Sandusky Congress districts would
intensity the situation. 1t would be like
a schoolboy attacking n hornets nest
with John j. Lentz and DR.. James \.
Norton as chief hornets. Their stings
are sharp and virulent, and it would re-
quire more than the usual amount Of
pulchrtude and pullulation to ally the
pain. The best remedy for the sting OF
a yellow Jacket lis mud, and after such
a campaign the most of the combatants
would undoubtedly be plastered with
mud.
This. however. is all speculation, as
there will be no campaign for governor
i'll Ohio until next year. Grosvenor's
friends meantime assert that the ami
mated gubernatorial molecule is al
ready feeding upon his political sub
stance. and that in process of time lie
will be sprung upon IL State conven-
ton. He has always been Il supporter
of bills drawn in the interest of orga-
nzed labor, and speeches of his are now
being published under the supervision
of Justice Brewer with those OF De-
mosthenes, Edmund Burke Henry Clay,
and other great orators as the finest
specimensof oratory in the world. All
this will undoubtedly add 10 his
strength in the field.
Here is IL young man with the bearing
of a cavalier He has dark hair, black
eyes and mustache, and n thin, but in
teliectual face. He speaks with grace
and earnestnesS, and has a warm per-
sonal following in the House. This
gentleman is Claude a. Swanson, OF
Virginia. He also is said TO be victim
of the molecule. and with far more
prospects of success in his political as
pirations than some others. Swanson's
record in Congress indicates true exc
cuiive ability. He was leader in the
great fight to repeal the Federal cleo
ton law, under which John |. Davcn-
port and other officials were given al
most absolute power His speeches on
all public questions attract attention,
not only in the House. but throughout
the land. Swanson has stood by his
party in both fair and foul weather, and
has never evinced disposition to run
after strange gods. Whether moiec,fled
or not. he Is almost certain TO become
II gubernatorial candidate. and one who
will be elected if nominated. There
seems to be no doubt that a con-
iStitutional convention will be called and
that Virginia will follow in the footsteps
of Mississippi, Louisiana ana North Ca
rolina in regard to negro suffrage. These
conventions indicate a new political era
in the South. and new men Will I'M
doubtedly come to the front. The mole
cule In Swanson's case is working in
the right quarter. He is true Virgin
ian with all the aspirations attaching
thereto. more refreshing candidate for
governor of the Old Dominion has never
meen mentioned. But he ought to cham
pion the cause of the fourth-class post
masters before euccumbing to the
molccule. He will make Il breezy cam
paiSn, not on horse back, but on the
: rostrum-a campaign that will recall
the days of Henry y. Wise and Extra
Billy Smith.
over here on the Republican side is a
stout man with curly hair. dark eyes