New-York tribune., 1905-08-14
THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.

The Virginia Republicans seem TO nave turneu
over a new leaf and developed a new political
spirit Hitherto Republican energy in that
state has spent itself chiefly in manipulating
party conventions and apportioning party
patronage The organization leaders were
fierce fighters when It came to electing dele
gates TO Republican national convention or
chairmen of the State Central Committee But
their aggresSiveness had exhausted itself be-
fore the time arrived for capturing seats in Con-
gress or reducing Democratic majorities. Last
year at Norfolk the party managers wrangled
for two days and nights before they succeeded
in naming delegates-at-large TO Chicago. The
only leader in the state who had shown capacity
10 lead was defeated by the old patronage hunt
ing clique and the convention adjourned in dis
order and tumult The plight of the Repub-
lican party in Virginia never seemed more
hopeless.
But the Presidential election of 1904-the first
held under the suffrage restriction clauses of
the new constitution-brought with it some de-
cided surprises and put new vitality into de-
moralized and discouraged party. Under the
leader whom the Norfolk convention had
turned down" the Hon. T. Campbell Slemp,
notable victory was won in the 9th Congress
District. Moreover, the suffrage restrictions
failed TO work out the results expected of them,
for, while they practically eliminated the negro
vote. they cut down enormously the Democratic
white vote. and left the Republican party, as
white mans party, in a relatively stronger posi-
ton than IL had enjoyed under the alleged sys-
tenn of free manhood suffrage. The vote cast
for electors in 1904 fell 135,367 below the vote
cast in 1900 But the loss was almost equally
divided between the two parties. The Repub-
lican total was smaller by 69,415 and the Dem
ocratic smaller by 65,442. But with the race
bogie taken out of politics and fair elections
again assured, the way was opened for for
ward Republican movement and for new
alignment on genuine public issues.
Evidence of this forward movement is found
in the proceedings Of the state convention just
held at Roanoke. The convention was COM
posed almost exclusively OF white delegates, its
work was done harmOniously and enthusiast
caly and 1t put in the field a state ticket Of
exceptional character. The nominee for Gov
ernor LunSford l.. Lewis, was formerly CHIEF
Justice of the state Court of Appeals and is
one of the leaders of the Virginia bar He is a
man of the highest standing and amplest capac-
ity respected for his learning and courage and
fully equipped 10 fill any office in the gift of the
state Nor does he intend TO make his cam
paign in perfunctory spirit, simply TO hold the
organization together and TO have a voice in
the distribution of federal patronage Ex-
Judge Lewis has been since 1902 United States
District Attorney for the Eastern District Of
Virginia. But on accepting the nomination for
Governor he resigned that Office, and declared
10 the convention that he would make his cam
paign solely for the advancement of Republican
interests and without reference to probable or
possible personal results"
This spirit is a one in Virginia contests,
and it may go far toward re-establishng Re
publcanism in the Old Dominion on a secure
| and creditable basis. There is no reason why
strong Republican organization should not be
/ built up. With the race issue removed, natural
/ divisions questions of public policy must
ensue Bourbonism has never been securely
! intrenched in Virginia as is demonstrated by
! the easy victory Of the Readjusters over the
old line Democracy. The states Industrial
and commercial interests incline it TO sympathy
! with Republican ideas in national policy. and on
local issues there is room for a healthy and ag-
gressive opposition party. Judge Lewiss can
didacy for the GoveInorship will make the cam
paign of 1905 a highly interesting one.