The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-20

that he will be able to do that worry thing in assisting Senator Dick m hts next light
 Many of the Virginia Democrats who have been heard to express themselves lately during their visits to Washing ton Intimate strongly that the primary system in the Old Dominion is becom- ing unpopular. They would not be sur prised if . movement should start that would bring about the old order of things 70 far as the Democrats are concerned. The Republicans in Vir- einia have never resorted to the pri- mary but are still sticking to the con yentIon plan. Some of the people rais ing objection complain that tne pri- didates for the leading State offices. Poor men cannot afford to get into the race. This year Mir. Tucker. who was the -defeated candidate for Governor At the Democratic primary, admits in his statement filed that he spent a great many thousands of dollars more than any one supposed he would be com peiled to put out.
 Another objection is that in a year like this the party has no opportunity to make c platform in which 1t could define its position on the liquor or any other question. Judge Mann, the Dem- ocratic candidate for Governor. Is claimed by the ultra prohibitionists as ready and anxious to sign any prohibi- ton measure that the Legislature might pass. His rivals charged him before the primary was held as side- stepping on this question and that in reality he and his friends were playing for the liquor vote, and at the same time were in full fellowship with the anti-saloon people. The Virginia Leg islature to be elected in November will have no instruction as to how 1t shall vote on prohibition. and the Demo- crats had no platform this year. Thou sands on both sides of the liquor ques- tion are dissatisfied with this uncertain condition, and there are threats they will not vote at all at the coming cleo ton. The Republicans take great hope from this and insist that if they do not elect their man Kent Governor they will greatly reduce the Democratic vote.
 It is expected that the Democrats will suffer considerably. but the gem eral opinion Is they will pull their en- tire ticket through by safe majorities. The Democratic primary vote was smaller than the State Committee gave out, and 1t is also known that in view of the fact that in the Norfolk end of the State the machine" managers un- der the sway or senator Iom Martih left the pledge off the ticket great many Democrats who are anxious to sfaash the Martin machine" are not going to be bound by the primary.
 If the next Virginia Legislature should pass a prohibition measure Judge Mann as Governor would have to sign it unless he goes back on all the promises he has made to the anti saloon organization leaders. But that Legislature is not hunting for trouble, and local option will continue to be the policy in Virginia until the prohibition ists can muster strength enough to change the condition Of things. They are known to be determined to force the fighting just as mas been done in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and other Southern States. Under lo- cal option now there are no saloons In these Virginia cities: Charlottesville. Danviile, staunton. Lynchburg. Roa- noke and Winchester. A score or more of the larger towns are also dry" and over the half of the counties of the State have abolished the saloons. But the ultra prohibitionists want the thing made Statewide so that the cities of Richmond, Norfolk. Portsmouth, New. port News, Petersburg. Bristol and Alexandria may all be made as dry as the others. regardless of the local sentiment.