The Washington times., 1909-10-13
G. D. P. WORKS HARD
IN VIRGINIA RACE
Administration Is Supporting
Political Contest in
State.
BY JAMES HAY, II.

NirEinia's subernatoriaI fight is at
trsctiuE more attention and receiving
greater support from the Admiuistra-
lion than any other political contest i'm
the South
Representative Bascom SIelup. chair
man Of the State Republican Commit
tee, is being aided by the Republican
National Committee. according to the
gossip current in the State, and at least
one Cabinet officer. Secretary Nagel. is
booked to make several speeches in the
attempt TO set votes for Kent against
the Democratic nominee. Mann.
The fight is Of peculiar significance
because the President and his political
advisers expect IL 20 determine how
much truth there is III the claim that
Taft Is thu strongest Republican Presi-
dent the country has had so far as pop
ulsT1ty in the South is concerned. Vir-
Eiaia is regarded as especially capable
Of demonstrating this Her population
IS the typical conservative Southern
element. She is close enough to Wash
iuEton 10 be Influenced by the dolngs of
The Administration. and It is fair 10 as
sumo that. if her political complexion
changes In favor of Republicanism. her
sister States viii ia the course Of "a few
years follow suit
At present, there IS every indication
that the Administration viii be diEap-
pointed. Chairman Slemp and his lieut.
enauts have been active in newspaper
interviews and in stumpinE tours OF the
state and are loud in their prOtesta-
tions that they viii make big hole in
the State normal Democratic majority
of 300o0 votes even If they do not land
Naturally. the effect OF this activity
has been TO SUR up the Democratic
leaders and To make them go out with
the determination 10 do every thing pos
sible 70 make their majority even great
er than IL usually is. This is an "eff
year" as there are neither COMPRESSION
II nor Presidential contests. and the
chief difficulty the Democrats viii have
Win be in getting their fu1 vote to the
polls. They are striving 10 overcome
the apathy which is usual in the of
years. while the Republicans are rely
ing on this very lack of interest TO
make good showing by a reduction Of
the ma lOTity.
Kent is one Of the poorest campaign
speakers imaSina Die. lie reads his
speeches and makes no attempt 70 speak
.GIcuDOT2neOuSlE This III a state -
oratory and Joint debates are ttc ver1
breath OF political life Is q. serious haHdl-
cap TO a candidate Tor any Office. An
other weakness Of the Republicans and
dn Indication OF then lack of confidence
Is TO be found in The fact that they have
pJu up few candidates for the Legs
lature. II they do not EXPECT TO carry
the Legislature, they can not hope 10
do anything with the EOVernorship, and
every candidate for the Legislature
strengthens a 1ubeTuatOri1l nominee.
To rfIn q governor without a fuU list
Of legislative candidates is q great blow
10 any sarlpaign program. for the local
interest ceutered In the men running for
The Legislature strengthens the man
higher mp ~ the parry.
The Democrats, who nave a good Or
sanizafiOn opposed 10 the weak one OF
the Republicans. are urging all theig
precinct ieUteuants 10 Eet busy In he
matter Of lining up all their men TO 20
10 the polls and vote They are ous
with the purpose OF making every man
count. and they claim that they viii run
up their majority above The 5000 mark.
The voting win be clean On both sides
for under the present law OF Virginia
the capiIaLiOu tax has to be pGid six
months 10 advance, and this does away
with the Old-tIme trick OF paving mems
taNes IN order 10 get their votes Be
sides, the laws of elections in the state
are 20 severe that the use OF money Is
$50 longer possible except for such auxiI-
lary purposes as hiring halls and em-
plcl INK bands and buying fireworks