Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-06
VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN
Republicans to Put Up a Full
State Ticket.
REP. SLEMP TALKS
SAYS THE PARTY WILL FIGHT
FOR EVERYTHING.
Believes the Governorship and Legis-
lature Can Be Won by Good
Hard Work.
REP. SLEMP TALKS

Yes. we propose to give the democrats
the worst fight they ever had in Virginia.
SAID Representative Semp, quickly answer
ing the question put to him as TO whether
the republicans of that state were really
sincere in proposing to make a fight this
year for governor and legislature. And
we are going to give them hail Columbia
he added. with pepperiness in his words.
There are a whole lot of people all over
the country who think that do not mean
what we say and that the fight will be the
usual one of republicans in southern states.
But just let these people wait and see.
They will find that lighting will be part
of the republican program"
What do you propose to fight for?" he
was asked.
why, for everything. We will put up
a good man, good as the democrats
name, for governor and we will put up
legislative ticket in the field in every coun-
ty in the state. l firmly believe we will
elect a governor and Legislature. If we
do not, mind me, we will have perfected
the best organization the republicans ever
had in Virginia and will be prepared to
fight regularly for every office in the fu-
ture. The trouble with us has been lack
of organization. Now in my own district
we know every voter there-every man in
every county and every precinct and We
know how to get at these voters The
democrats haven't bit the best of
In that district. Our plans contemplate
extending this organization to every part
of the state co.,
1T will cost you good deal of money,
will it not?"
We'll, not so much if the republicans Of
the state become aroused. as will be the
case. In the stronger Counties-that is,
where the republicans hold their own prct-
ty well-a small per capita collection Will
fix the machinery all right. We need some
money elsewhere, and | hope we will have
some"
State Ticket to Be Put Out Early.
When will you put out your state
ticket?'
Il am not the man to say that re-
sponded Representative Slemp, but l am
satisfied that our convention will be held
early and that we will go into the cam
paign for all it is worth in plenty of time
There is a favorable opinion to a conven-
ton in June, and L am sure that it will not
be later than early in July, if l do not mis-
take the sentiment of the republicans of
the state. The convention will nominate
candidate for governor and a full state
ticket, and put out a platform that Will
amount to something and mean something.
The democratic state convention will be
held late in the summer or early in the
fall, and 1 do not think We intend to wait
on them at ali. L rather think they will
have all they can do to attend to their
own squabbles ard that the object of a
late convention is to place te the soreness
that is sure to result before putting the
ticket in the field
And so you have some hope of electing
a legislature?"
I'VE certainly do, and we intend to make
a fight for the legislature in every county
in the state. The republican party in Vir-
ginia is growing in numbers, power and
influence every day and there are good
men in every county who have the respect
of the people and will make good races for
the legislature. The democrats need not
count too certain upon electing a successor
to Senator Martini
Have you anybody in mind for governor
or senator?"
THAT is matter that will rest with the
people. The names of a number of good
men have been proposed for both places
but venture to say that whoever we NOM
mate as our candidate for governor will be
a man of the highest standing and intelli-
gence and worthy of being governor of
Virginia. The people will be satisfied with
the man to be put up"
Representative Slemp would not discuss
candidates for the governorship, saying that
would not be proper. The belief is general
however, that the program is to nominate
Lunsford L. Lewis. the United States at
torney at Richmond. The republicans be-
lieve that Mr.. Lewis would accept the nomi-
nation. Park Agnew, former collector of
internal revenue of the Alexandria district,
is likewise mentioned, and Representative
Slemp himself talks kindly of Agnew who
he displaced as collector in behalf of one of
his own friends EX-Representative Jacob
Yost of Staunton and A. P. Gillespie, one of
the prominent men of Tazewell county, are
also talked about.
"Will the nominee for governor stump the
state?' was asked
I'VE will stump every part of the state"
added Mr.. Slemp, land make the fight in
every county Not only that, but we will
begin early and put up the best that there
is in us
Believes Democrats Will Be Split.
Mr.. slemp thought it might not be wise to
discuss possible factional troubles among
the democrats themselves, but 1t is known
that he and other republican leaders believe
that the prohibition question will enter into
the democratic campaign to a serious ex-
tent. They regard Judge Mann, one of the
democratic candidates in the primary for
governor, as the candidate of the prohibi-
ton element of the state, and they think
that he will develop unexpected strength
and possibly prove the nominee. In this
case they think there will be desertions from
the democratic party in large numbers. 1t
is declared among the republican leaders
that the Anti-Saloon League has great
strength in the state and will be an impor-
tant figure in the campaign. The hint is
conveyed that Mann may carry the fourth
congressional district and get surprising
vote throughout the state. Naturally, how
ever, the republicans are steering everything
toward trouble in the democratic camp If
they can possibly make 1t, but democrats
coming here do not think this Will happen
and believe that prohibition will not become
an issue this year.
CALLING ON HIS FRIENDS.