Evening star., 1901-07-10
MOCRATS UNEASY
Virginia Republicans Preparing for
Aggressive Campaign.
HAVE THREE PROMINENT LEADERS
Hoge, Walker or Rosser Likely to
Be Standard Bearer.
THE is UES INV VED


RlCHMOND, va, July y, lsDi.
For many years democratic nomination
in Virginia has been equivalent to an cleo
tion but this year there are grave doubts
on the subject in the minds of the leaders.
and many predict that If the democrats
win it will be only after the hardest kind
of a struggle.
The democrats will find their ancient en-
emy, the republican party, in the field, pre-
pared for a fight to the finish and armed
with weapons which will doubtless prove
most potent in skillful hands. The most
powerful offensive weapon which the dem
ocrats have themselves put into the hands
of their antagonists Is the constitutional
convention. The proposed diSfranchise
ment of the negro and the threatened d.
vision of the public school fund. which
would greatly curtail the educational IA
cilities of the black race, have solidifed
the negroes against the democratic party,
and have also driven many of the whites
over to the opposition.
The republicans have announced their
intention to put up a most vigorous tight,
and have called state convention to meet
In Charlottesville August 21, when COM
plete ticket will be nominated. 1t is the
purpose of this convention to pick out the
very best men in the republican ranks,
strong, vigorous, eloquent men, who can
stump the state throughout.
Three Names Mentioned.
So far three names have been mentioned.
They are Col. ]. Hampton Hoge of Roam
oke. Gen. James A. Walker of Wytheville
and Gen. Thomas L. ROsser of Charlottes-
vile. From present indications Col. Hoge
has by far the best chance to secure the
honor He is comparatively young and
vigorous man, and has few equals as a
debater. He could be depended upon to
make the campaign hot from start to
finish.
Gen. Walker is an ex-confederate soldier
and is a man of exceptional ability. He, too.
is strong stump speaker. but his age Is
against him. and there are fears that he
could not now stand an extended campaign.
Gen. Walker represented his district sew
eral years in Congress, and made good
record.
Gen. Rosser Is also an ex-confederate.
He is over sixty years old, but possesses
considerable vfgor. He was, a few years
ago, an uncOmpromiSing democrat, but he
became disgruntled with his party and
sought the republican fold. He is not so
much of a possibility as Gen. Walker.
Democrats Are Alarmed.
The hostile preparations which the re-
publicans are making are viewed with
alarm by the democrats, and may be given
as one reason for the evident desire on the
part of some to delay the work of the con-
stitutional convention. If this convention
faithfully carries out the work before 1t
great unpOpularity will be it's portion In
certain quarters. In order to reduce the
expenses of the state 1t will be necessary
to cut down the salaries of certain officials
and to lop off the heads of others This
will occasion great discomfort and the odi-
um Will fall upon the democratic party. 1t
is this that the republicans are counting
upon. and they ask nothing better than
that the convention shall complete its work
prior to election.
But this the convention is not going to
do if any way can be found out of the di-
lemma- 1t is the purpose of the leaders to
wait until the elections are over and then
go ahead with the work in hand. This Is
not openly given as the reason for desiring
an adjournment, but the burden Is put
upon the heat, which all admit is sufficient
ly severe to make the excuse very good
one. indeed
The Virginia gubernatorial campaign,
however, Will be much warmer than the
present weather, for some of the most cele-
brated stumpers III the old dominion will
be engaged in the tray.
The Democratic Ticket,
The democratic ticket, from present indi-
cations, will be a. J. Montague, Joseph f.
Montague and Anderson are able debaters.
and they will be reinforced by such men as
George D. Wise, R. Walter Moore. w. A.
jones and many others.
Indeed. 1t is said that CONGRESSMAN
Claude A. Swanson. the defeated candidate
for the governOrship will not sulk in his
tent, but Will take the stump and aid In
the election of the democratic ticket
on the republican side the sturnpers will
include j. Hampton Hoge, Hugh Gordon
Miller, Edgar Allan. and many others of
no less note as orators and debaters The
outlook is for struggle that will bring
back the memory of days long agone.