Year: 1876

HGhEDIENT-ATTITUDE AND STRENGTH OF


THE INDKPENDENTs-THE PROSPECTS FOR THE


COMING GUBKRSAToRIAL CAMPAIGN.


RICHMOND, March s, 1915


Three or four days ago there would have been people
here and elsewhere In yirginia-not iew-who would
nowledged that the result OF the coming state
elections somewhat doubtful II cannot be denied
hai variety OF circumstances had occurred to shake
The serene security with which the conservatives have
held their ascendancy in Virginia since the color
line successfully drawn in their politics in the
campaign OF Colonel withers against the Underwood
constitution. IL will be In order to refer TO OF
these causes and circumstances hereafter At present
appears that the Bcknnp scandal and the prospect of
other developments affecting the good character and
ordinary honest name of the Grant administration
have struck the republicans blow staggering and
severe that their recovery in time to mako a
cessful canvass quito unlikely. This result
will largely depend, however, the vote OF
other States which to hold elections before vr-
gnia II the republicans hold their ground in these
trials OF strength at the polls the party may be in.
spirited and emboldened here: but " tho shall
show any dimnution OF radical strength Now Eng
lard there will be still absolute disintcgration OF
tho carpet.bag aud negro alliance than existed before
the defeat OF Judge Hughes for the gubernatorIal
chair.


NEW ELEMENT


Of the political situation Is the body OF socaed inde
pendenis and sefstyled rcformers which has recently
gained some strength and made some headway in va
rous cities of the State and notably in this city Tho
Vsry unchallenged superiority OF conservative
bers, organization and power has been a factor OF
division and an occasion Of weakness their lines.
Thus in somo quarters of the State nominations have
been which great numbers OF the party did not
approve and would not sustain, and these
nominations have led 10 schisms ana splits
which have given end OF trouble and menaced
much danger TO the ascondancy OF the now dominant
politics. The alliance between the independents and
the Custom House attended with two or three effects
OF divided weight the political duel II leads to the
nomination Of men OF better class and higher social
influence and position than opposed the conscrya
tive tickets when the lines squarcly drawn be-
tween the white and black parties, for II need hardly
be stated that tho independents have done all the
"moving'' and the radicals done all the voting
this curious copartnership Of that meet to
carry ont the common political purpose OF ous,ing
from power OF the conservative leaders Another
consequence is that the elections are held with more
honesty and fairness. and if the ballot Is tampercd
With at all the blame OF II and the consequences of IL
are more likely to be traced homo and visited upon
those who thought be benefited BY IL Thus the
servatve House OF Delegates refused TO
vervativo contestants other elections back TO the
people and admitted other conservatives to their
yeats-or rather confirmed them in their scats-by
vocs so close as 10 graze the gentlemen uncomoraby
closely Thus also. the conservative Senate unseated
the sitting conservative from Portsmouth, and seated
General Bradley T. johnson in the Richmond district
bv a vote 60 close that republican members suf
rage was necessary his cause and the independents
themselves were satisfied by the victory OF the cand
iAts. which was attended With 90 many conditions
hat must have marred It's enjoyment for h'm- The
result Of these contentious Is that the independents
here arc bent on enectns organization andinsurng
the nominaton OF the best and most substantial
citizens only Tor places OF authority the conservative
organization and for the onices soon 20 be allied IN
she municipal government The papers Of this
morning contain card signed BY many
reform conservatives which demands the
resignation OF the City Executive Committee. on the
around that ts members do faithfully dtly rep
resent the Intelligence character and substance Of
the city Thus you see, the pot here is considerably
boiling and all kinds OF notsam and etsam appear from
time 10 time on The disturbed surface There tell
Ing what all this might resulted in except for
angular and sudden exposure which has the
Cabinet OF General Grant shadow 50 deep and over


rHn CONSERVATIVES LHp CENTRAL GRANT.


And inst here werd or Two may mol be ouI or place