Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-16
yiRGINIA's NEXT GOVERNOR
The Democratic Aspirauts- Their
Chances Discussed.


A Richmond special to the Baltimore Sun
says: The Democratic State Convention
which meets here in July next for the nomi-
nation OF Governor, Lieutenant-Go Governor,
and Attomey.General will be the largest
gathering Of The kind that has asse nbled in
| this state for years. The basis OF represents
ton az fixed by the state Committee at its
meeting here Friday will give this body a
membership OF 1920. The day for the meet
| ing OF this convention was left to the EX-
ecutIye Committee 10 name. II Is believed
| the day selected will be some time between
the LIST and the 18th of July.
The friends OF the sspirants for the nomi-
nation for Governor are already quietly at
work IN the interest OF their fayorites. The
only candidates prominently mentioned 80
far are Colonel Richard +. Beirne, editor
and owner OF the Richmond State; Hon.
Philip W. Mckinney, Of Prince Edward,
and Congressman Charles T. 0'Ferran, OF
Rockingham. Some OF the intimate friends
Of the latter say that, while be Is not making
any organized effort TO secure the prize. II IL
! is rendered to him he will accept IT. SO far
| Colonel Beirne seems TO be ahead in the race,
and il the convention were TO meet in the
next few weeks he would. according 10 in
dicalons, secure the nomination. Mr. Nc
| Kinney has good following, among whom
are some very Influential party leaders. HIS
claims will be pushed not only upon personal
merit, but because Mr.. Mckinney comes from
a district in which the Democrats made larger
gains In the recent contest than any other 10
| the State.
The claims Of the Democrats OF that sec
ton OF the State will be pressed upon the
convention this year with more earnestness
| than ever before. The fact that the Demo-
Gratis elected a congressman in the Fourth
| district last year for the first time since the
war has naturally greatly elated the leaders
over there. They claim that with Mr. Nc
| Kinney or some other good candidate from
| the Black Belt the Democrats will make even
larger gains ia the state contest this year.
The name OF Major +. c. VenabIe, the gen.
tlemat- who succeeded with two Republican
candidates FOR Congress 10 Mahone's home
district at the last election, has been mentiOo'
ed IN connection with the gubernatorisl
nomination. Major YeDsble declines, how
ever. 10 enter the race. He Is doing all be
can for his friend, Mr.. Mckinney. But II Il
conceded that this gontlemsn's second choice
~ Colosel Beirne. Congressman OFerrall,
who by some il considered third in the race,
has already developed considerable strength
IN tho Southwest and Valley, aud II he enters
opponent. Mr. OFeTrAll is one OF the most
vigorous stumpers in Virginia. He is always
in demand 10 the close districts, where the
hardest fighting has TO be done. With the
people OF the Southwest no man in the State
! 10 more popular than Congressman OFerrall.
| A talk with the members OF the State Demo
cratic Committee during their meeting here
last week giyss one the impression that Mr..
Beirne is the strongest candidate for the head
OF the ticket, yet some OF the others, how
ever, may rapidly develop unexpected
strength as the contest draws nearer ITS
close. Hi, formidable opponent seemi to
be Mckinney. While that gentleman is not
regarded as q particularly experienced or
GAMER, he I, popular. and can claim the
! friendship Of some OF the shrewdest workers
| In the party. In fact Mckinney comes from
district which is noted for it, polite hns
| They pride themselves on their work inthis
line. With Jolly good fellow like Phil.
Mckinney as their champion, the Fourth dis
trict people will be very likely to do sorie OF
the best political organizing they are ca ,aole
OF.
The name Of Rev. DR.. J. l.. 81. Curry late
American Minister to Spain, is sonnet mes
spoken of as possible aspirant for the benz
ocratic nomination for Governor. II be has
entered the race bis friends do not yet adj.
NIT 1t.
Hon. John A. Buchanan, the Democratic
congressman. elect from the Ninth district, Is
another name sometimes spoken OF in con-
nectiOn with the head OF the Democratic
ticket This gentleman would. under some
| circumstances, be strong candidate. should
the convention decide 1t 10 be polite % give
the nomination TO the Southwest no better
nor stronger name from that section eould
be submitted. The fact OF the close vote in
the next House might prove fatal 10 the GU
berDatorial aspirations OF both Buchanan
and 0'Ferrall Indeed, II this point was
urged il Is not at all probable that either Of
these gentlemen would allow their naItes to
60 before the convention.
As 10 Lieutepant-GoyerUor and Attorney
General, the other officers TO be nominated
by the convention, their selection will de-
pend upon the locality from which the G0y-
eraor ir taken. II the latter Is selected from,
the Southwest, tue Attorney General will, q
course. be given 10 some other portion Of
the State. Should Coloael Berne or Mr..
Mckinney be b0minated FOR Governor, Mr.
X. A. Ayers, the present Attorney Geperal,
is almost sure 70 be reuOmnated.