Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-01
A Forlorn Hone

HE Republicans have launched their
l State campaign under most unfavorable
auspices. Their nominee for Governor may
have local reputation for fluent and forid
speech, but he has exhibited no talents of
administration or fitness for executive duties
Besides, he is as unknown in nine-tenths Of
the State as citizen of Timbuctoo. None
OF the other nominees, except Senator Davis.
is generally known, even by name, and the
people will be certain to prefer the Demo-
cratic ticket Of tried and trusted public ser
wants, headed by the other Davis
The issues attempted to be raised by the
Republican platform are not such as all Re-
publicans in Virginia can afford to have
raised. 1t Eliminates upon prohibition; but
did all the Republican members of the Legis-
lature vote for the enabling act during the
three sessions it issue? Did all Of
the rank and file vote for prohibition at the
polls?
Now they want women to vote and to at
tend the university; did all of the Republi-
can legislators vote for the woman's suffrage
amendment, OF for the bill to establish the
coordinate college at the university? The
records show that on all these measures the
Republican members divided as did the
Democratic majority.
They criticize the Legislature for not
having prevented monopolies. The General
Assembly has been negligent as The Times
enact laws against trusts and combinations,
but do the Republican members escape re-
sponsibility? Which one Of them presented
bills for these worthy ends? The echoes
answer. Their party's general record on
this subject is not above reproach. by many
fathoms.
Shades Of Mark Hanna! How the Yir-
ginia Republicans have been regenerated by
the Democratic example at Washington!
Complaint is made OF the failure of the
Legislature to pass redistricting legislation
Democratic leaders and newspapers have
made the same complaint over and over.
The complaint would be greater if the Re-
publicans were to get in charge. What kind
of crazy quilt would the map of the Vir-
ginia districts resemble if they were to have
their way? Has no Republican State been
guilty Of gerrymandering? Tut, tut!
1t is amusing, almost to the point OF
pathos, to read the solicitude for the masses
put forth by these new friends Of political
freedom. Why, they do not permit even
their own people to make nominations by
primaries, but few hand-picked delegates,
controlled by two or three politicians. turn
the trick in conventions. They are in fine
shape to appeal to independent voters!
The uglest feature of the recent Repub-
lican gathering at Roanoke was the applause
it gave Senator Jim Watson, OF Indiana, in
his efforts to show the unpopularity of our
war with Germany. Our people are as pa
triotic as any in America and as we'll in
formed. They know the Virginian in the
White House, after eXhausting every honor
able means to avoid conflict, was forced
by the crimes Of the Teutons against Ameri-
can citizens and our national rights to adj
wise the recognition of a state of war which
Germany had already begun. 1t is incon-
ceivable that campaign in this State based
upon an attitude of disloyalty to the country
in this crisis can fail to meet merited re-
Duke. But the Virginia Republicans are
leading forlorn hope, and we must expect
their plans and methods to be forlorn also