Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-30
VlRGlNlA'S NEW SENATORS.
Meeting of the Legislature on Next We'd
nesday.
The Contest Between Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee and Martin-Fight for the
Capitol ORces.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


RICHMOND. Va, Nov. 29-The Virginia
legislature will convene next Wednesday,
one week from today-and owing to the
many important matters to come before it,
the most intense interest is felt throughout
the state concerning the body's delibera-
tions.
The question uppermost in the minds of
the people now is the United States senator
ship. Not since the memorable Daniel
Barbour contest has so much interest GEN.
tered in a like contest. Fitzhugh Lee and
Thomas s. Martin are the giants in the
fight with Senator Eppa Hunton, by no
means an unworthy foe.
But it is the Lee Martin fight that is alb
sorbing the attention now, for If indications
prior to an assembling of legislature
'count for anything, one of these two men
must win. Some claim, however, that
Senator Hunton will develop enough strength
to create a deadlock, in which event a
fine opportunity will be made for a dark
horse to come in and carry Off the prize.
Other well-known politicians deny this, say
ing that Martins followers are pledged to
him to the end, and that a deadlock would
only prove disastrous to Lee. Many are
of the opinion that unless Lee can win on
the first ballot his chances are slim.
Senator Huntons avowed candidacy for
both the short and long terms has changed
the situation. II the Senator had been con-
tent with the short term, that is. Mr.. Bar
bour's uneXpired term, he would have had
no difficulty in being elected. The other
candidates must make their fight accord
ingly, consequently whoever is successful
will be chosen to fill out the entire time.
The other candidates-Maj. Holmes Con-
rad, John Goode and Governor p. w. Nc
Kinney-are, apparently, making no fight
whatever for the senatorship. In fact,
they have all announced that they would
make no organized canvass. Maj. Conrad
however. is regarded as an ideal dark horse,
and in the event of deadlock it would not
surprise many to see him rushed through
The charges of improper influence be-
ing brought to bear upon members of the
legislature in connection with the Senator
ship have been met by prompt denial by
the democratic managers.
AS is well known and conceded, however
the railroads are playing an important part
in the fight. Mr.. Martin has been connect
ed with the c. and o. railroad for many
years as counsel, and one of his most active
supporters is Superintendent j. Barbour
Thompson of the Richmond and Danville.
The Times this morning in a measure with
draws its charges in this connection 1t
says: I'm our editorial of the 26th under
the heading, Improper Influence of Legis-
lators.' we feel assured that we have unin-
tentionally miSrepresented the subordinate
railroad official referred to. We are assur-
ed that not only were the funds which had
been committed to his charge disposed of
superiors, but that there was express direc-
ton not to interfere with the canvass for
the senatorship. The circumstances which
led to the article have In their main points
been fully explained, and the rebuttal has
been supported by written evidence from
the highest source. The intimation in our
article that money had been withheld, we
think, may be construed as to do the
gentleman referred to great injustice, and
we desire to say that the only way to set
that entirely right under all the circum-
stances is to withdraw it entirely"
The subordinate railroad official is, Of
course, Mr.. Martin.
The friends of Lee, however, are in n
quiet way using this railroad business"
as it is called. for all it is worth, and that
1t Is having its effect cannot be denied.
The Lee men claim seventy-one votes for
their favorite on the first ballot, while the
Martin men go them three better and boast
of seventy-four men pledged to their man.
That some one is claiming more than he is
entitled to Is evident, when II is known that
there are only 127 democratic members of
the legislature, and of course the senator
ship will be settled in caucus.
Very little is said about the supreme court
judges yet, but this is the paramount
question in many respects to come before
the legislature 1t will furnish great concern
later on. There are so many candidates for
these honors that 1t would be idle to at
tempt to name the winners now. 1t is said,
however, that the two who stand the best
chances of filling two of the six seats on the
bench are Maj. John W. Rely of Halifax
county and DR. H r. Pollard of this city.
The indications now are that all of the
state capitol officers will be reelected.
Judge H. W. Flournoy, the secretary of the
commonwealth. who, it was thought some
time ago,was in danger of defeat. figures out
a clear majority on the first ballot. Mr..
Joseph T. Lawless of Portsmouth, Judge
Flournoy's opponents championed by Gov
ernor-elect O'Ferrall, and has made a
strong fight, and were it not for the clean
record Of the incumbent as well as his
strong personal popularity would no doubt
win.