Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-05
10000 EXPECTED
TO VOTE TOMORROW
Old Dominion Democrats
Wind Up Slow Primary
Campaign.
Special Dispatch to The star.


RICHMOND, Va, August 5.--Virginia
Democrats choose In their regular Sum-
mer primary tomorrow the candidates
which will meet the Republican anti
Smith coalition candidates In the bat
tie for the control Of the State No
vember 5.
The candidates for the governorship
nomination, John Garland Pollard of
Williamsburg, q. Walter Mapp Of Ac-
comac and Roosevelt Page of Hanover,
retired to their homes to vote and TO
await the returns tomorrow night.
Headquarters of the candidates in
Richmond were winding up their work
this afternoon with telephone calls and
messages to State leaders.
A total vote of approximately 1907
600 was indicated-a small vote, due to
the relatively slow primary campaign
and to the intention of some hitherto
Democratic voters to remain out OF
the primary so they may vote indie
Norfolk, Roanoke. Lynchburg and DAN
vile we're expected to vote fairly heav-
ily due to local contests.
There is only one contested State Of
flee upon the primary ticket-the gov
ernorship. The democratic candidate
for lieutenant governor. James H. Price
of Richmond, and the Democratic can
didate for attorney general, John r.
Saunders of Middlesex, are not OPP
posed.
Many Local Candidates.
The local candidates on the tickets
of various cities and towns include
members Of the General Assembly, COM
monwealth attorneys. city Sergeants,
treasurers, commissioners Of revenue,
high. constables. sheriffs. court clerks
and magistrates.
Coalition states against the local
candidates OF the Democrats have been
prepared in some of the counties and
cities. particularly candidates for the
Assembly and for the more lucrative OF
the Offices, such as commissioner OF
revenue, commemorative attorney and
clerkshipS.
The primary campaigns Of the State
candidates for governor and OF the
local candidates have been conducted
separately and an unexampled harmony
has been prevalent among the Demo-
Gratis, largely because the coalition
threat is hanging over them.
For more than 40 years in Virginia
nominations in the Democratic primary
for State Office has been practically
tantamount to election. since the Demo-
Gratis have outnumbered the Republic
ans by more than two to one.
This condition was changed In the
presidential contest last year when the
alliance of the anti-Smith party under
Bishop James Cannon. jr., and the Re-
publican party, carried Virginia for
Hoover by nearly $4,000.
npnnnRYatg changed
their political allegiance In the campaign
last year Democratic strength has re-
manned an uncertain quantity.
The coalition candidate for governor,
DR.. William Moseley Brown of LexinE-
ton. opened his campaign last week In
Portsmouth and proceeds from there TO
the Eastern Shore Of Virginia today.
He is to speak Wednesday, the day after
the primary, at Accomas Courthouse,
the home OF G. Walter Mapp. one of the
Democratic candidates.
Short Ballot Assailed.
In his Portsmouth speech Friday, DR.
Brown attacked the short-ballot policy
as "undemocratic," quoted woodrow
Wilson IN explanation Of his withdrawal
from the Democratic ranks, and other
wise based his appeal for support upon
plea to Democratic voters.
His words indicated that the coalition
strategy now is TO undermine the Demo-
cratic strongholds in Eastern Virginia
by plea for new policies and new per-
sonalitieS in the State government. DR..
Brown also took a fling at "Raskobism'
in the national Democratic party and
asked organization Democrats to re-
pudiate the wet Tammany" influence
by voting against the men who worked
for the election of Gov. Smith in Viz
ginia last Fall.
AS soon as the primary Is over Demo-
Gratis Of all factions will be ready to
meet the coalitionists In the State cam
paign proper. Preparations for this
fight have been proceeding for several
months. 1t is indicated that one line
to be taken by the Democratic strate-
gians will be an attack upon the coali-
zionist rear through an appeal to Or
ganiZation Republicans disgruntled over
the acceptance by their party leaders OF
the Cannon candidate" DR.. Brown.
Many old line Republicans are dis
satisfied with the acceptance Of DR..
Brown by their leaders. believing that
DR.. Brown Is fundamentally a Demo-
crat and that the Cannonites will be
awarded most Of the patronage II DR..
Brown wins. It Is claimed, too, by
Democratic leaders, that not q few Re-
publican industrialists are satisfied with
the progress of Virginia under the Byrd
administration and want It continued
The Democrats contend that DR.. Brown
Is running on reactionary platform
and that Republican business men do
not want reaction, and 50 will not fol-
low their leaders in their alliance with
Bishop Cannon's new party.