Evening star., 1905-10-28
UNIQUE CONDITIONS
Politics in City Of Norfolk.
Virginia.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT
NO REPUBLICAN TICKET IN THE
FIELD.
Destruction Of Protective Tariff Would
Work Havoc With Many
Industries.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT
Special From a Stan Correspondent.

Norfolk presents political conditions that
are unique in Virginia and the south. These
conditions to a large extent correspond
with those of other southern cities in
which, during the last decade. Industrial
progress has drawn the interests Of the
people toward those of northern communi-
ties. The destruction of the protective
tariff would work havoc with many of the
industries of Norfolk. The city has a
large element of its population made up
Of men from the north and west With
southern men they are building up varied
industries not only here, but in Portsmouth
and Newport News. II national political is
sues were fought out here In earnest there
Is no doubt that there would be re-
alignment of party affiliations. Leading
democrats say that were some great ma
tional issue fought In this state Norfolk
county and the communities that go to
make UP its life would be turned upside
down politically. SO that no man can ac-
curately determine what the political con-
ditiOn would be when 1t was all over.
Although for years this change in polit-
ical sentiment which has been making for
independence OF party dictates has been in
progress. there Is but little evidence on the
surface that 1t exists. A survey Of the re-
suit of elections during recent years gives
no Indication Of 1t. Whatever the changed
condition may be. 1t cannot be told from
election returns. because there has been no
great Issue to develop any changes OF SEN
timent that may exist, and because the
elimination of the colored vote makes the
old figures unreliable The election that Is
to take place on the 7th of next month
VIII throw no light on these changed con-
ditions. Democrats and republicans who
hold commanding positions in their parties
agree upon that.
Take the city of Norfolk as an instance
OF this changed condition The republicans
here has not put up any local or legisla-
tive tickets to be voted upon. II they did
30 they could not possibly announce any
reason beyond the personal popularity Of
their candidates for asAing the support of
voters. There is no issue in local mat
ters that could influence any one. The
democratic candidates would naturally
have the largest personal following. Re-
publican opposition would only cause the
democrats to get busy, but every one ac-
knowledges that 1t could not change the
result.
The only ticket that will be voted on here
by the republicans is the state ticket, and
there is very little in the nature Of an issue
involved In that. In fact there is no issue
to set spellbfnders to work. The chief thing
republican issue of free school books for
the public schools. But that does not meas
ure up to a size to make 1t Of consequence
In fact, as 1t allows the race question to
enter the contest 1t might take away more
republican votes than would be gained by
It There are good many white people
who find the purchase of school books bur
densome and they might vote the republi-
would at once be made that the white
people would have to pay for the books of
all the colored children and the race issue
would be on IN full force.
All Are Chilly Whites"
The republicans of Norfolk are lilly
whites to an intense degree. and they say
that viewing the political condition from
the standpoint of practical politicians they
can be nothing else The facts concerning
the colored vote Of this city are sufficient
to show the truth of the claim of the re-
publicans that they do not want the COL
ored vote. The population of Norfolk, ac-
cording to the census of 1900 was 46 624
or which 26,394 was white and 20, go was
colored. 1t Is stated by republican manag-
ers who are In positions to know the facts
that there are today in this city Just 148
coiored men who are qualified voters They
are quaiihed by having registered and hay-
Ing paid the poll tax and being able to
meet the requirements of the provisions of
the new state constitution. No more will
be able to vote, and it Is not supposed that
the actual colored vote will be anything
IKE the number of voters who are qualified
Those who do vote Will not all cast repubIi-
can ballots. This Is the extent that Norfolk
mas gone in getting rid of the colored vote
me poll tax. to entitle voter to the
right to cast his ballot, must be paid six
months before the election. But there has
been no effort on the part of the republicans
10 see that the colored people were qualified
10 vote. They have rather preferred that
they keep out of it altogether
II II should be known that we were ure-
ing ooiored men to qualify tehmseles to
vote. We would lose ten white votes for
nent republican today. I'VE could not even
quietly urge them to qualify themselves
without having the fact spread broadcast
ana as soon as that should be the case all
q n pnt fxro
would be lost"
These are the views Of man in a COM
manding position who does not mix senti-
ment and politics. He believes he is play
Ing iar-sighted game and that the only
way to win when the time comes Is to
eliminate the colored voter absolutely as a
political factor. In this city. where there
will probably be cast 800 or 900 demo-
cratic votes for the state ticket he hopes
to have 600 votes of white men for the re-
publican state ticket. By maintaining a re-
publican party of white voters here he be-
lieves that when some national issue comes
up the city can be made to produce re-
publican majority. But that in his view
can only be in national election with
overwhelming national issues.
There Is no use talking Of winning with
colored votes" said this practical politician
OF the republican ranks because 1t cannot
be done, We can't get the coiored votes
In having II we'll understood that we want
white votes and only white votes
Carried Out by Management.
This policy is being carried out in every
detail Of the party management The re-
publican executive committee OF the city
consists OF two members from each Of
twelve precincts. They are all white men,
The rules that govern the management Of
the Academy of Music provide that no COL
ored person shall be in the audience except
In the top gallery. Secretary Shaw spoke
In the academy on the 9th OF this month
and It is where Judge Lewis. the repub-
ucan candidate for governor will speak
next Monday evening. The republicans
make no effort to have the colored people
attend their meetings and the fewer that
attend them the better are they pleased.
II they do go they can only sit In the top
gallery.
A democratic tendency here Is to report
that colored people have attended repub-
lican meetings. It Is declared that nothing
hurts the practical republican organizers so
much as to have such reports get about
and they do what they can to prevent CIV
ing an excuse for them.
az ,ook at the condition" said one of these
republicans today. when talking about
having disposed OF the last member OF .he
city republican executive committee. IF