Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-03
MOORE PREDICTS
POLLARD VICTORY
Insists Best interests OF
State Demand Defeat
of Coalition.

REPRESENTATIVE r. Walton Moore,
snesEinp over the radio last night, pre-
dicted the election on Tuesday OF John
C. Pollard. the Democratic nominee Tor
Governor of Virginia. by a majority OF
10000 to $4,000. Mr.. Moore insisted
that the best interests OF the state de-
manded the election of Pollard and the
defeat of the Republican antl-Snll'h
Democratic coalition.
Mr.. Moore prefaced his discussion OF
the campaign for governor with II
statement to the effect that he himself
had little expectation of ever being a
candidate for any office" because of
rather poor health" Several weeks
ago Mr.. Moore said he probably would
not be a candidate at the next election.
IT must be acquitted" said Mr.. moore,
"of any purpose to serve myself by COM
plying with a request to say something
about the political campaign in Viz
ginia."
Defends "ShOrt Ballot"
Mr.. Moore declared that the State has
made great progress under the Demo-
cratic administration, headed by Gov.
Byrd. He defended the so-called Short
ballot" which has been under attack
by the coalition candidates and speak
ers saying:
"One reform which has been much
debated authorizes the governor to ap-
point the treasurer, the commissioner
OF agriculture and the superintendent Of
public instruction. This change, how
ever, can be repealed by the people
through the Legislature, should it be So
desired. But in my humble judgment
it is a desirable reform. 1t Is in line
with the Federal method of the ap-
pointment by ,the President Of the heads
Of the various departments who conSti-
tute his cabinet. His appointees are
subject to confirmation by the Senate,
whereas the governors appointees are
subject to confirmation by the entire
Legislature, the Senate and House CT
Delegates. The purpose is to give the
governor a cabinet, SO that all the &C
tivitieS of the State can be unified and
function IN comprehensive, vigorous
and orderly manner.
I'm the country at large, this reform
which we talk of as the short-ballot
plan, has been advocated by leading
men of both parties. Among its Re-
publican advocates have been PreSi-
dents Taft and Roosevelt and Judge
Charles e. Hughes. The advocacy OF
the plan by Judge Hughes. which he
started several years ago while governor
of the State of New York, has re-
suited in it's adoption there. where II
is now universally approved. During
the present campaign the plan has been
acclaimed against as undemocratic and
opposed to the principles of Thomas
Jefferson, notwithstanding 1t was in
cluded in the constitution which JET
ferson drafted for the Virginia conven-
ton of l776 and that it was in force
prior to the constitution of 1902.
Praises BYRD Administration.
"The result of the Byrd administra-
ton is remarkably convincing proof Of
the success Of the work for the State
which has been done. There has beer
rapid progress in hard road conStruc-
ton, in the growth of educational facil-
tiles, in the protection OF pubic health
and in the care of the disabled, helples:
and dependent. There has been such
careful management of the finance!
that today the State possesses quick
assets more than equal the amount Of
her liabilities SO that the entire in.
debtedness might be paid tomorrow anc
a large surplus remain in the treasury
So many new industries have been at
tracted to our borders that at thu
moment speak Virginia Is the richest
State between Pennsylvania and Texa!
and with the lowest tax rate Of all the
4S States, with only two exceptions.
1T would be a fatal mistake to place
the coalition party in control unless
we can be satisfied that it can anC
will do more for Virginia than Is, be
ing done and will be done under exist
ing conditions. It would be a sacrifice
of certainty for uncertainty, a steI
backward into the dark instead of /;
step forward into the full light o
the new day"