The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-27
.LETHARG|C FIGHT
DRAWING T0Cl0Sf
Old Campaigners Cannot Recall
Campaign With So Little
Public Interest.
NINTH NOT EVEN STIRRED
Two Amendments to Constitu-
ton Fought and One Is
Cnopposed.

AS the campaign nears it's end little
change Is to be noted in the situation
in any part Of Virginia. Lethargy
more complete and profound would he
hard TO imagine. Virginians have not
been much excited in a presidential
campaign for the last twenty years.
In view OF the certainty Of majority
for the party electors. But the apathy
this year is unparalleled The oldest
politicians have never seen anything
approaching it.
party rally in the capital city OF
Virginia. with one OF the most attrac-
tive speakers in the State. and with
The addition st a brass band. brought
out only 800 people. II is just the
Same everywhere.
Dull Even I'm Ninth.
Not even in the Ninth District is
there the usual interest in politics.
Nobody expects anything like the total
vote that was cast two years ago
there. although that was an of year
and this IL the presidential contest.
Neither party is getting crowds larger
than those who go to the county seats
on courtcays anyway. and those few
whose party loyalty is ever on top.
The outcome In the Ninth is very
doubtful, the result depending entirely
on the size of the vote polled by Wal
ter Graham. the Progressive candid tie
for Congress Most OF the Bull Moose
adherents consider themselves pledged
to Representative Slemp. their dele
gates having gone into the Bristol con-
vention.
What makes for uncertainty in the
Ninth IL the new agreement between
the candidates that no money shall
be used for vote buying.
This may make 4 change in the sit .
uatton which cannot be gagged until
the votes are counted While the Re-
publicans in the Ninth may not have
always had more money than the DEM
ocrats. they have had 1t more regular
ly In the past ten years. and know bet
ter how to use II. Without il, the is
sue Is uncertain. Indications are for a
dull season for vote sellers.
Fifth II Certain.
No doubt exists as to the result in
the Fifth District. Although A. B. Ham
ner. the Republican nominee. has
pledged himself to the bill forbidding
gambling in futures on produce ex-
changes, thereby enlisting the help
Of an element of the Farmers Union
he lacks the organization which was
in the hands of John NJ Parsons In the
last two campaigns. and is not expect
ed to give Representative Saunders
anything approaching close fight
Charlotte and Halifax will make for at
least 1900 Democratic majority.
So certain are the results in most
Of the districts Of the State that no
notice is being taken Of the races for
Congress Congressman Flood, Hay and
Carlin are making especial efforts TO
get out the full vote on election day,
and tLese districts have been mos;
thoroughly covered by speakers. Bath
and Rockbridge Counties remain to be
covered by Mr.. Flood this week, and
Page and Clarke are left of Mr. Hays
district Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Holland
have a few more speeches to make in
their own districts. Judge Watson Is
no speaking campaign in the
Fourth District, ana Governor Monta-
que, Of the Third, 10 in New Jersey
giving kis voice to the campaign for
Woodrow Wilson.
In addition to General Ayers, the
nominee. speeches will be
made this week in his behalf in the
Ninth District by Henry c. Stuart.
Richard Evelyn Byrd, Martin Williams,
J. Norment Powell. T. j. Downing. Don
p. Halsey. Harry St George Tucker, r.
Tate Irvine. Judge r. T. W. Duke and
E. E Holland.
Amendments PFesenfed.
Three amendments to the Constitu.
ton are to be voted on In the election
Of November 8. One Of these has not
the slightest opposition in any quar-
ter. II simply changes tho Constitu-
ton so as TO permit the General As
sembly to pass laws providing for
cities other forms Of government than
those now IN vogue-in other words, to
let the Legislature amend a city's
charter so as TO permit adoption OF
the commission form of government Ii
may be done only on q vote Of the ma
jority OF tie people OF the city to be
affected. There seems no doubt what
ever Of the ratification Of this propos-
ed amendment
The other amendments are intend.
ed TO permit city treasurers to sue
coed themselves Indefinitely In onice.
instead Of limiting them to two terms.
Is 1t present and TO provide that city
Of the revenue shall be
elected b. the people. and be eligible
to succeed themselves. The same
were submitted to the
people at the election Of November.
1910, and defeated. They are resub-
ritted at this time, without having
been through the prescribed course Of
two sessions Of the Legislature, In