Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25
Retards Ticket Splitters.

ganization that has nomianted an indie
pendent legislative ticket in that county.
Retards Ticket Splitters.
1t is believed with good reason that the
new ballot will initiate against split
tickets. The ballot will be unusually large
and rather bulky considering the conven-
tionally cramped election booths. hence
for this reason the party managers expect
the straight ticket will preavil more than
would be supposed from pre-election talk
from a considerable percentage of the
voters. The republicans expect. for in
stance. a straight ticket from a solid
phalanx of negroes. who are aroused over
the threats of Acknowledgement, con-
tingent on democratic state success. Negro
missionaries sent into West Virginia to
attract votes for Bryan returned with
virtually no success. There will un-
doubtedly be much scratching. and more
attempts at 1t then will succeed. but on
the whole the new ballot will tend to be-
wilder certain voters and incline them to
simply vote for their party straight under
Its emblem rather than risk losing their
votes. This advantage will be practically
all in the majority party's' favor as It
Both Prepared for Surprises.
Right down in their hearts the managers
of both parties are prepared for surprises.
but naturally the republicans are the
most confident and are the more encour-
aged by recent developments. which show
that their organization gets better as
election approaches. Four weeks ago the
democrats had all the enthusiasm and
unity.
But there are ripples here and there
which disturb the serenity OF both.
George Byrne's denunciation of the negro
in HIS lily-white campaign has been too
strong and reactionary. Democratic
stumpers have scattered their fire and
have failed to make one issue paramount
or sufficiently clear. Extravaganza, Sem
ator Elkins' leadership and the negro
planks have been their main displays. but
their campaign seems to lack a directing
head. Bennett is not magnetic and his
republican support will come more be-
cause of disgruntlement than because OF
his attraction.
Candidates Withdrawn.
Republicans were treated to a distinct
surprise this week when w. w. Whyte,
renominated for the senate from the Nc
Dowell district. got off the ticket. His
side partner. DR.. Hatfield. was substituted
for a few hours. but also withdrew. and
at last accounts the vacancy was I'M
filled because of a reopening of the old
sores between the Swisher and Scherr fac
tons. led respectively by the followers of
Representative Hughes and T. E. Hous-
ton. Whyte had no opposition for re-elec-
ton four years ago. as the district was
abnormally republican, but this year GER
tain revelations jeopardized his success
and of the balance Of the ticket. AS
Whyte, as a member of the state COM
mittee, was an ardent Swisher partisan
and called the Swisher state convention
to order when Chairman Harry Wood
yard declined to off1ciate. there was great
rejoicing among the Scherr faction else
where when he got of the ticket.
The republican candidate for sheriff in
Berkeley county was also induced to slide
off the ticket this week. Altogether the
republicans are of a mind to set their
house in repair rather than risk the en-
trance of the enemy. They ADMIT needing
all the improvement obtainable to
strengthen their lineup.