Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-19
CANDIDATES IN VIRGINIA.
Forming the Skirmish Lines for the Fight
for the Gubernatorial Nomination.
Corr aosT


Correspondence: The Evening Star
RIcHMoND, Va, May IS, 1893.
Perhaps never before did SO much important
work devolve upon state assembly as the
coming one which is to be elected in the early
fall will be called upon to discharge. A United
States Senator is to be elected, supreme court
judges to be chosen, as well as circuit judges
and state officers. Besides, there is some very
important legislation to be enacted, viz: Alter
atoms in the state election law, amendments to
the oyster law, which is an eyesore to the state
railroad law is to be considered and probably
passed, and some measure for the betterment
of the public roads in the state.
But the main question that has disturbed the
political sea this far in advance of the election
is the governorship and the United States SEN
atorship. And this Is not a clash Of arms be-
tween foe and foe, but between democrats.
Especially is this SO in the case of the guber-
Material fight The nominating convention will
be held here in midsummer, and the report
that Charles T. O'Ferrall will have plain sailing
in the race is not warranted by recent develop
ments.
The lighting colonel" as his friends, and
they are legion in Virginia, are won't to call him.
and he has justly merited the sobriquet, never
gives up fight until he is victorious or lies
PROSTATE beneath his enemies heel So it NAV
just well be understood at once that he is in
the fight to finish and will neither give nor
receive quarter" He has an admirable pub
lie record in the state to draw upon. ard his
wonderful personal magnetism among the
masses seems now to place him on vantage
ground.
But this is one side Of the question, for there
is another which the sanguine O'FeralItes seem
to shut their ewes to. The now powerful south
west rears its mighty ahead aloft and demands
recognition. Her leaders come forward and
haze
men from the east, the north and the south side.
with no dissenting voices, and have swelled
their victories and in some instances saved
them from defeat. We have wheeled all of the
great southwestern counties into the democratic
column, and ask "a reward for this the simple
bequest that the nominating convention select
one from our galaxy of available and worthy sons
to carry the standard and We will bear the
brunt Of battle and guarantee that victory will
perch upon his banner"
This favorte son that the southwest has
chosen is Maj J. Hoge Tyler of Pulaski county.
the present lieutenant governor, and who was
a candidate for governor four years ago, but
was defeated in the convention by over
whelming vote, Gov. Mckinney, the successful
candidate. being from the south side.
The withdrawal of ex-Attorney General
Rufus A. Ayers in this connection significant.
MIR. Ayers, whose home is in Wise county. the
extreme western end of the southwest, was one
Of the prominent candidates until he wrote a
letter formally announcing that he would not
allow his name to go before the convention
His reason for withdrawing is very important,
as 1t Is plainly an evidence that he is the lead
ing spirit IN the move of the southwest to pre-
sent as a unit the name of Major TYLER to the
convention with a view of securing his nominal
ton.
Mr.. Ayers says: II am very anxious that the
democrats of southwest Virginia should SO act
as to secure that influence in the councils of
our party TO which in my opinion thew are
under present conditions justly entitled
While do not believe that the high Office of
governor should be sought for or filled from
sectional considerations purely, and while I
have in the past experienced too much kindness
from the party at large in the state to be willing
to urge the sectional issue unduiv still think in
the matter of the governorship the southwest,
which Is fast becoming materially the hope of
the state and poll icallv the Gibraltar of
democracy. should receive greater considera-
ton at :he hands of the party in the rest of the
state 1t Is apparent that We cannot hope to
achieve this with several candidates in the
field and divided delegations. Our section
should unite upon some one candidate and
personal preferences should be made sub
ordinate to the end, as well to the good of
our beloved state. 1 have therefore carefully
considered the situation, and. believing that
example is better than precept, have determined
In the interest OF harmony. and with a view of
aiding the party in this section, to unite upon
and give its undivided support to some one
candidate, to announce to the party throughout
the state that 1 am not a candidate for the
governorship and that my name will not be
presented to the convention
While Mr.. Ayers does not mention the name
of Maj. Tyler in his letter. The STAR corre-
spon6ent has reliable information that he is
in favor of his candidacy and will leave no
stone unturned TO secure for him the nominal
ton.
While there are several other aspirants for
no aficaf no sto obi aF = Il
s Buford of this city. it takes no prophet to
foretell that the fight will eventually narrow
down to a contest between Col O'Ferrali and
Maj. Tyler. and the outcome is by no means
certain now.
Herein lies the democrats great danger. II.
in the selection of a candidate bv the nominat-
ing convention any breach is made in the party,
the third party will have a much better show
for success. The populists also hope to reap
some reward from the dissatisfaction that will
naturally result from the distribution of federal
patronage.
ANY supposition that the democratic leaders
NAV have that the populists are not preparing
for big effort to secure the gubernatoriai
prize Is founded upon false ground. The air
of activity in the populist camp precludes any
such superstition Chairman Pierson of the
populist state executive committee is authority
for the statement that they will have a full
ticket In the field, and "a good one, too" he
says.
III is pretty well settled despite the deuials
from various sources that Major Mann Page of
Fauquier, the president of the State Farmers
Alliance organization, will be the popuIi,t can
didate for governor, and J. Brad. Beverly will
also be on the ticket for one of the minor
places.
very interesting discovery in the contest
for the democratic nomination for governor is
that it is alleged by Col. O'Ferralls friends
that the real motive for Col. Bufords candi-
dacy is in the interest Of the candidate from
the southwest. They claim that supporters of
Maj Tyler are encouraging Col Bufords can
vass in the hope that it will draw heavily from
Col. OFerralls strength. especially in Rich
mond. and thereby give the nomination to the
lieutenant governor.
Speculation to what part the republicans
will play iii the state contest this fall is Just now
an important phase of the fight. prominent
anti-Mahoae republican of this state is author
ity for the statement that the general is prepar-
ing to form an alliance with the third party
people and will not allow the republican ma
chinery to place straight ticket in the field,
but will give orders for all of his followers to
support the populist candidates.
1t is the general impression among those who
are in positions to know that Malone will make
desperate effort this fall to retrieve his lost
political fortunes.
TO REPEAL THE GEARY LAW.