Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-23
VIRGINIA POLITICS.

The Washington correspondent OF tht
/ Richmond Dispatch says: At democrat
ic congressional headquarters the Off
Gals are going to watch closely the de.
velopments in Virginia. Chairman
Griggs and Secretary Edwards do not
/ fear the result in any of the Virgins
districts, but they do not care to have
the democrats caught mapping, and con
sequently will be forced to do some work
in that State to put the republican
chances at minimum. 1t is also the
feeling of the democratic managers that
it will not be wise for the democrats in
Virginia to give their opponents any
opportunity to add recruits TO the repub-
lican party from among alleged weak
kneed democrats, the knowledge being
that once democrat turns on his party
he will never return. 1t is also believed
that the revival of interest among the
democrats in the State will do good
deal to stir the party workers from their
apathy, and put them to work in getting
a large registration and otherwise pre-
pairing themselves against all emergen-
cies.
Information at democratic headquar-
tiers here is that a hot fight must be ex-
peoted in the Ninth district. 1t was for
a while thought that the contest in that
district would not amount to anything,
but it is now recognized that literature
must be sent out and campaign made.
In the other districts it is now certain
that the electric battery applied to the
republican graveyards by the President
vii! cause resurrection of the political
dead. Tie congressional managers of
the Virginia districts are not caring to
take chances on mourning the everlasty
i lg enmity of the President, and they
are to put forth all their feeble efforts to
40 something to gain the appreciation of
ihcir chief.
j. j. Sinnett, sergeant-at-arms at the
he ldquarters of the democratic congress
SIGNAL committee, in speaking of the
political situation in Virginia said:
"The dem0cracts in Virginia have moth
ing to fear from President Roosevelts
order to the republicans in the State
lhat they should get a move on them
selves and put up fight in the coming
election. | think the democrats in that
State will be glad for the republicans
to show their hands and make an effect
TO capture some of the congressional dis
tricts, for it would mean the bringing
out Of larger democratic vote than has
been polled for long time, and make the
party stronger and more harmonious
In the last two or three elections the ac-
ton of the republicans in not making an
earnest effort to win the State has been
the cause of considerable apathy iii the
ranks of the democrats, and now it is
very difficult to get the voters to the
polls and make them have the interest
and enthusiasm that have existed hereto
fore ] know any number of Virginia
voters here who, when asked if they are
going to vote, invariably reply, What is
the use? The republicans are making
no fight, and it is waste of time to vote.
You can rest assured the Presidents
suggestion to the republicans will be the
means of making all the democrats who
vote in Virginia, go home, register, and
90 to the polls on election day, and cast
such a large vote that it will show to the
President in unmistakable terms that
the democrats in Virginia are opposed to
the trusts, high tariff, and other repuf-
lican doctrines"