The Washington times., 1904-03-06
Opposition to Him Confined to Republican
Party and Found Almost Exclusively in
Southwest Portion Of State.

The Republican party of Virginia-that
is, its active, prudent and far-seeing
members-is not a large but a coherent
body, and IL is not TOO much to say
that it's embodiment is found in a gen
tleman who ranks high among his fell
low-citizens of Alexandria, where he
resides, Of all parties, classes and de-
nominations without regard to race.
color. or previous condition of servi-
tude-this is Hon. Park Agnew 1t would
not be true TO say that the party is held
together by the cohesive force Of Office
holding. although never before in the
history Of the Commonwealth have SO
many and so lucrative Offices been held
at the disposal Of so small a number Of
its citizens
Mr.. Agnew has been chairman Of the
Republican State central committee for
many years. He has been sc circuu1-
speet in his Office that calumny Of his
personal character would be rejected by
even his bitterest enemies, and even in
his political actions his opponents have
never been able TO discover anything in
him approaching the Addickism of Della
ware. In the face Of an opposing ma
5ority Of the Democracy so large that
nothing but miracle would enable II
ed in posting his forces so as to be able
at any time to strike at the weakest
point of the enemy's lines and achieve a
partial victory
The oppoStion to him is entirely with
In his own party, but he has been too
easily the. chief man Of the organization
for any effort to down him to succeed.
In his own district the opposition
newspaper bears evidence that in a
Republican convention held in this city
neither tho chairman nor the secretary
OF the convention was an officeholder
neither OF the delegates elected to Chi
cage was an Oficeholder, not one Of the
hve delegates TO the district convention
at Mr. Agnew's home was an ohicehold-
er, and that OF the mem bership Of the
new State committee from this district
only one out OF five is sacrificing himself
for Uncle Sam"
1t Is In those parts Of the State where
Mr. Agnew is not so well known that
the opposition to him arises. and there
Tor the past eighteen months. continued
euorts have been made to overthrow
Mr.. Agnew's strength by some Of the
white Republicans OF that section of
the State. This opposition especially
developed itself in southwest VIRGINIA
where l. l.. Lewis has a large following
southwestern Virginia represents what
Is left in the old Commonwealth as II ex-
listed before the war Of the spirit of the
opposition 70 eastern Virginia. which
eliminated In the northwest by the in
terstate secession that resulted in the
establishment OF the new State Of West
Virginia
Southwest Virginia has many active
politicians who are ever on the lool,out
for opportunities for their ambition and
this is true OF the Republicans as of the
Democrats Of that section OF the State
The movement here had many support
ers about Richmond and Norfolk and
developed Itself in full force a few davg
ago at the opening OF the Republican
State convention az Norfolk.
Mr. Agnew. the present chairman og
the Republican party OF the State was
at the very opening opposed for ten,nor-
airy chairman by Colonel sIemD Who
urged Judge Lewis as temporary chair
man.
Mr. Agnew's friends. however. headed
by X T. Thorp' felt that they were In
the majority and pressed amid no in
considerable confusion, TO their first vic
tory.
An attempt was made TO discredlt MI.
Agnew upon various grounds. but in |
each case. without an e3lcenttor tta /
friends OF Mr. Agnew triumphed and bo |
was made temporary Chairman and tl,c,, /
permanent chairman Of the conventfon /
reelected State delegate and then del /
gate at large.
1t is impossible 10 imagine moro
victory. Mr.. Agnew's friends
IN this section OF the State are spe-
cially Jubilant over his success. al
though they had never a shadow OF
doubt that he would come out triurn
plant.
An endeavor is now beiRg made TO
unite all the factions. and it is under