The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-11-22
DEMOCRATS AT
VIRGINIA FACE
POLLS ENIGMA
Republican Majority Causes
Possibility Of Constable.t0-
Governor Contest
1929 ELECTION VIEWED
Solid South Politicians Don
Thinking Caps to Return
Section Democratic

Richmond, Va, Nov. %. - @-
Virginia has emerged from the gen.
eral election Of 1928 with political
problem that is an enigma of the
first magnitude.
Breaking with the "Solid South"
for the first time since the days of
reconstruction to support Herbert
Hoover, the Old Dominion in 1929
faces a state election from constable
to governor with remembrance of
the $4,000 majority for Hoover still
Z fresh. It is conceivable that every
office will be contested.
The republican party in Virginia,
generally stronger minority than
in other southern states, is obviously
eager to follow up its success and
establish two-party government in
the state. The democrats are giving
serious consideration to the POSSIBLE
; ity of a republican government in
= Richmond.
Predict Democratic Swing
Democratic newspapers in the
state, reviewing the election editor
tally, almost unanimously attribute
the republican majority in Virginia
to anti-Smith votes and predict that
these votes will return to the demo-
cratic column. This, however, does
not explain fully the election of three
Republican congressman by good ma
jorities, and close contests for two
others who were defeated by Demo-
Gratis. One of the Republican rep
resentatives, Jacob A. CARRIER, won in
Gov. Harry Byrd's own district while
another scored victory in the ira
ditionallv Democratic tidewater Sec
tion at Norfolk.
The anti-Sn.ith democrats, head
ed by Bishop James Cannon Jr. of
the Methodist Episcopal church,
South, early in the campaign an
nounced opposition to Gov. Alfred
E. Smith but urged support of the
dry Democratic nominees. It APP
pears obvious, however, that many
!. who voted the Republican national
ticket followed through for the other
Republican nominees.
First, there is the problem Of
whether these Democrats will return
to their party in 1929. In addition
there is the problem Of whether they
may return if they SO desire.
Situation Demands Action
However much the Democratic
men and women who supported
Hoover consider themselves still
Democrats, they are officially Re-
publicans. If the theory Of the
party, braced by law, is upheld in
practice every Democrat who voted
Republican will be barred from the
Democratic primary.
What are the Democrats going
sto do?" is question being asked
on all sides. The Democratic news
papers are contending that the ques-
ton demands the best immediate
thought of the party leaders. It has
been suggested that nominees might
be chosen by convention, or if this
is not deemed feasible, that there
might be something of gentleman's
agreement not to challenge voters
at the polls. The Democratic press
is clamoring for action on the part
of the leaders in the state govern
ment to work out solution.
State Issue Pushed
While the general election was a
national issue, some speakers at
tempted to add state issue to the
already overwhelmed campaign. It
was insisted by a number in the
Democratic wing that supported
Smith that q vote for Hoover was
reputation Of the state demo
cratic leaders who were actively
, supporting the Democratic ticket.
Governor Byrd's program Of prog
ress' embodied in the constitutional
changes adopted at special election
last June, was declared to be in
volved.
It is obvious that this issue was
somewhat stretched to reach the ma
tional campaign, but it appears
equally certain that the Democratic
leaders have lost some influence.
There is 4 practical certainty that
a gubernatorial candidate will APP