Evening star., 1905-08-26
VIRGINIA POLITICS
Not q Good Chance for the
Republicans
TO CARRY THE STATE
WILL PROBABLY MAKE GREAT
GAINS.
Only Twenty-Thr of That Party Out
Of One Hundred and Forty in Gen.
eral Assembly Now.

CAo1 AoSSIuOly NOW
There may have been time when Pres-
dent Roosevelt believed the republicans
stood fair chance to carry Virginia this
fall. Representative Slemp, said to be of a
somewhat sanguine temperament. and who
carried his district twice, the last time by
greatly increased majority. each time
after hard fight. was inspired with the
belief that the party could elect governor.
and he may have succeeded in imbuing the
President with his views. 1t is not believed
the President now believes there is d good
chance of carrying the state.
Conservative republicans generally do not
believe they can elect governor in Vir
ginia this fall. They do believe they can
make gains. They believe they add
very materially to the number of repub
lcanS in the general assembly. There are
only twenty-three of that party in the leg
islature at present. This is not d respect
able minority, when it is remembered that
the legislature is composed of 140 mem
bers.
1t Is almost conceded by the democrats
that the successor to Mr.. Swanson who
will retire from Congress on his election
to the gubernatorial chair, will be a repub-
lcan. Mr.. Swanson has represented the
fifth district for years and has very
strong hold on the people of both parties,
stronger hold than any other man in the
district has; stronger than any other demo-
crat can have. 1t is believed. He has
friends among the republican leaders of the
district 1t Is understood. and these have
helped him in times past. Their help will
not be forthcoming when the democratic
candidate to succeed Swanson asks it. Al
though Mr.. Swanson has been carrying his
district for years, four years ago when
Gov. Montague was the candidate Tor the
governorship. the district was carried by
his n
This lends color to the republican conten-
ton that the district Is normally repub-
lican 1t is believed that Judge Edward
w Saunders, who is now on the circuit
bench. will be the democratic candidate
for Mr.. Swanson's place He is a man OF
extraordinary ability. The republicans do
not appear to have at all agreed on can
ddate.
Republicans Expect Great Gains.
While the republicans may not and prob
ably will not carry the state, they naturahy
expect to achieve great benefit from good.
strong, hearty fight in Virginia this fall.
They will have effected good organiza-
ton and this, in addition to the trend OF
sentiment In the state toward independence
of political action, will be of great help In
contest four years or even two years
hence. 49,
While the democrats Of Virginia are still
discussing the primary election of Tuesday,
in which a candidate for the United states
senatorship and for all state Offices were
chosen the republicans are making plans
to profit If possible, by the dissensions and
consequent heartburnings resulting from the
prolonged and extremely heated contest
among their opponents The night Whch
will be fought In Virginia this fall VIII be
the hottest the state has known since the
days of readjusterism in the early eighties,
when William Malone overthrew the demo-
Gratis and captured the state government,
The republicans are well organized IN Vir
;,,f, oil DIV md being
perfected with great rapidity. The work Is
in charge of Bascom Slemp. young man
of great energy and ability as political
organizer. His father. who Is the republican
representative from the ninth Virginia dis
trict is Of the shrewdest politicians OF
any party in the state. and his counsel is
always at the command OF his son.
The republican state ticket is as good as
could have been nominated, it is declared
by republican politicians. Headed by Judge
T.. J.. Lewis, who Is a man OF the highest
standing as a citizen and as a lawyer, hav-
ing been president Of the supreme court Of
appeals of Virginia, 1t will command the
respectful consideration Of every voter. 1t
is said by republicans that one reason for
the comparatively small vote polied in the
democratic primary of Tuesday is the de-
sire that many democrats had to be foot
free when the general election comes up in
November. so that they can vote the repub-
lican ticket II they choose.
1t is a fact, recognized by democrats as
we'll as republicans of Virginia, that there
Is 0lSpOSltlOn among the people OF the
state to break away from old traditions and
go to the polls free to vote for men and
measures that may commend themselves,
without regard to the fear. which has de-
generated into mere bugaboo. that the
negro voters might gain control Of the state
The practical dsfranchsement of the negro
effected by the new constitution, and his
| more or less complete elimination from the
electorate. has removed him factor in
Virginia politics There was never the
| slightest chance of republican majority
in the state with the negro voting solidly
with that party. A Virginian in Washing
ton a day or two ago remarked that 1t was
no uncommon thing to hear democrat say
now that he Is glad of the change in con-
ditions which makes it possible for the vot-
ers to divide on issues. knowing that the
government will be in the hands of white
men, no matter how the election may re-
suit.
Both Tickets Are Strong.
Though the ticket the republicans have
nominated is a good one, 1t is recognized
by conservative spectators of the fight
which is on in Virginia that the democrats
have also strong ticket. Mr.. Swanson,
who heads the democratic ticket, Is one of
the ablest debaters the state has produced
in recent years He will make a brilliant
fight. Senator Martin has demonstrated in
the course of the canvass just brought to
an end that he is a man hard to handle on
the stump and worthy of the steel of the
best Senator Daniel will go on the stump
when the campaign opens up well. There
is not a man in Virginia who can so stir
the masses. He Is still the popular idol
down there, and when he appears before a
Virginia audience, limping forward on his
confederate crutches. he always receives
such ovation as Is not accorded any
public speaker in the state.
Judge Lewis Is an able stumper He has
taken part in many exciting campaigns in
Virginia He IS an old-line republican. He
was a steadfast adherent OF the cause of
the Union during the war of the rebellion
but his course after the war endeared him
to the best people of the state He advo-
Gated the prompt restoration Of the rights
of citizenship lost by the war and was never
allied with the element which tried to keep
the mass of Virginians in subsection to the
will OF the comparatively few people who
had the right Of the ballot in those days
It is a tribute to the character Of the vir-
gfnia people that Judge Lewis. whose views
on the question Of states rights, secession
and slavery were SO radically different