The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-13

restore the prestige Of Virginia and
give here q State government worthy
Of her best traditions. .. = p
Until a month ago the prospects
were considered excellent for Repub-
lican success, Then came President
Harding's speech at Birmingham on
the political rights of the colored peo-
pie in the South, and instantly the
Virginia Democrats plucked up hope.
They had been fighting a defensive
and apparently a losing battle, but
thereafter all that they had to do was
to raiSe the cry Of negro domination.
That changed the whole situation In
Virginia and was probably the main
cause Of the large majority by which
Democratic governor was elected on
November 8.
at will doubtless have the same ef-
feet in all other Southern States. The
Presidents avowed aim was to break
up the solid South. In effect, his
speech will be almost certain to make
II more solid than ever. No one ques.
tons the sincerity or courage OF his
utterance on the race question, but
politically It was a blunder. only
making a bad matter worse. and really
intensifying. for the time being, the
race discrimination against which he
was protesting. Incidentally, he has
made 1t again possible for every in
competent or rascally democratic of.
fetal in Southern State to meet all
accusation against him by declaring
in a loud voice that he will go to death
rather than consent to giving the ne
gro social equality"
Many Democrats Bolt"
Last November President Harding
received about $1,000 votes in Viz
ginia. 1t is expected that Colonel An.
derson's total will be below that fig
ure. One of the reasons given for
this is the fact that 1000 negroes
were kicked out of the Republican
party in Virginia at the Norfolk con.
vention last July. During the cam.
paign it WIS freely charged that tbs
Democratic leaders prevailed upon the
disgruntled negroes to put a State
ticket in the field so as to keep any
c0lored voters from balloting for An
derson. This was done, and John
Mitchell, the negro banker. captured
practically the entire colored vote.
Even with the loss of these 10000 ne
gro ballots. Colonel Anderson polled a
larger vote, proportionately, than
President Harding. 1t IL estimated
that between $1,000 and 10000 Demo-
Gratis ''bolted" that party and voted
for the Republican candidates.
Thousands of Virginians cay they
voted for Trinkle ito keep the negro
from holding office in this state"
and as rebuke to the Harding I'D
ministration for falling to remedy
the unemployment situation and fail
ing to reduce the burden Of tayation.
Others say they voted for Trinkle to
keep the South "soiid.'
1t is believed shat the woman vote
was split about even between Trinkle
and Colonel Anderson. as both had
feminine organizations about the
same size and OF approximately the
same effectiveness.
Both Democrats and Republicans
express the belief that political, eco
nomic and educational conditions will
be better as a result " the campaign,
which will be memorable MS the most
exciting and active In the history OF
Virginia.
Davis Defeat Seen.
One Of the IMPORTANT results q the
election Is It's bearing on the forth
coming contest between Governor
Westmoreland Davis and Senator
Swanson for the latter's seat In the
Upper House of Congress mex. fall.
IL is practically admitted on all sides
that Governor Davis has ll.:,a or no
chance OF success at the polls In
the next Democratic primary because
every vote polled for Trlnk,e last
Tuesday undoubtedly will be cast
for Swanson. and he will receive the
nomination. Senator Swanson is one