Evening star., 1905-10-28

oughfy the colored vote has been elimi-
mated from the republican party here. They
lead to the plan of the republicans for fu.
ture success under stress OF some national
issue. It has often been asserted that the
effminat ton Of the colored vote from the
politics OF Virginia would bring about re-
alignment Of partisan af1liation. Although
there is not yet shown great tendency to
such q change. leading republicans here de-
clare their belief that It will still como
about They say that It is not only neces-
voters by a provision i'm the constitution,
but that It must be still moro effectively
accomplished by the republican leaders
themselves. until there Ii absolutely no
ground on which q charge Of having the po-
Itical fortunes OF the state thrown one way
or another by the colored vote. can rest
They point to the manner In which the
present campaign mas been veered about to
the race issue by the mere question OF fur
nishing free school books for the pupils Of
the public schools. These are the views Of
the lilly whites in their supreme develop
that abound in Norfolk.
While they favor this complete elimfnA-
tion of the colored influence in politics they
believe that when that is accomplished there
will be in this city hundreds or thousands
Of men Of influence who will be ready to
break away from party predictions and
be ready to vote for candidates without
regard to party consideration. IL those can
didates are made to stand for national is
sues. The democrats here first broke their
records for party regularity by voting
against Mr. Bryan in 1896 and 1900. Some
Of them voted for Palmer and Buckner on
one occasion and for Mckinley on the other
That, 1t Is said, was a terrific blow to
regularity. With the popularity Of Roose-
welt and with a democratic candidate that
would not measure UP to the satisfaction
OF the people Of the state, republicans de-
clare their belief that in 1908 this state
| might be thrown to the republican column.
Everywhere one hears democrats talking
freely about the likelihood Of Mr.. Roosevelt
being renominated and reelected.
Here In Norfolk 1 have talked with a
great many democrats, some of whom are
high in the counsels of their party. who
speak of this state as doubtful on national
elections with great issues at stake. Some
OF them have told me that the fear that the
state may get away from the control of
democratic managers Is at the root OF
that they fear that the state will slip
away in this election. but they want to
make sure that the usual majority Of tho
party is not pulled down. because OF its
effect on the next national election.
To the old party worker here it may
sound very hospitable to talk about elect
ing Mr.. Roosevelt on his general popularity
for another term and strange to- say the
talk OF doing that does not down among
democrats OF high standing in their party.
But there are old democratic leaders to
whom 1t doesn't seem just right, and
whether they ever come to do 1t or not they
want to keep themselves In a commanding
position 80 that they can control the mass
of democratic voters. They feel that If they
could elect Mr.. Roosevelt as a democratic
candidate to the chagrin OF the republican
party that would have some compensation
In 1t. To think of Mr.. Roosevelt ever be-
Ing elected in Virginia through the instru-
mentality OF the republican organization
does not please them But that is Just what
republican leaders in this section are talk
ing about and they are inclined to believe
that it Is possibility and not a remote
one, either. But they do not count on their
ability to do 1t except by the ballots of the
white voters. c. E. K.