Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-08
VIRGINIA SENATORS.

1
called to order in Richmond last night
Senator Hay offered resolution TO go
into the nomination of United States
Senators for the short and the long
terms and then to ballot for State Off
GERS. No objection was made to this
except in the two or three noes that
were heard when the vote was taken.
Before nominations were declared in
order Delegate Baker P. Lee presented
the application of Delegate F. E. Blu
ford, of Brunswick, who was elected as
an Independent democrat, for admission
to the caucus. This matter was quickly
disposed of by referring it to commit
tee Of five. Delegate Lee, in an elo-
quent speech, presented the name of
Senator Eppa Hunton for the short
term, ending March 4, 1895. Delegate
Moon, of Albemarle, seconded the nom
nation and Gen. Hunton was chosen by
reclamation.
Senator Chas. P. Jones, of Highland,
presented the name of Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee for the full term. He spoke of Lee
first as soldier, then as citizen, and
lastly as o man Of answering devotion
to the democratic party.
Senator Hay, of Madison, in pre-
senting the claims of Mr.. Thomas S.
Martin said in Mr.. Martins person
were embodied all of the qualities of
an ideal Senator.
The nomination of Lee was seconded
by Delegates Mason, of King George,
and Edmondson, of Rockbridge, and
that of Mr.. Martin by Senator Flood, of
Appomattox.
Major Holmes Conrad, of Winchest-
er, was nominated by Senator Berry, Of
Amherst, and seconded by Delegate
Nelson, of Frederick. The name of
Hon. John Goode was placed before
the caucus by Delegate Shelley, of
Smythe.
The first ballot resulted: Lee, 46,
Martin, 55; Goode, 49, Conrad, 3; P.
w. Mckinney, 3; ]. r. Tucker, l.
The second ballot resulted Lee, 40 (;
Martin, 81 Goode. IA; Conrad, 2; Nc
Kinney, l.
On the third ballot Lee received 81
votes, Martin, 90; Goode, IL. Conrad, 2.
The fourth ballot resulted Lee, so (;
Martin, 50; Goole, u; Mckinney, /.
On the fifth ballot Lee received so
Martin, 60; Goode, II. Mr.. Martin
was nominated on the sixth ballot, re-
ceiving Go votes to 81 for Lee.
The announcement of the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Martin was received with
great cheering by his friends in the hall
and was taken up by the crowd on the
outside. 1t was made unanimous
on motion of Senator Mushbach. The
causus then adjourned.
The result was surprise to great
many persons. Lees chances were
considered greatly strengthened by the
withdrawal of Hunton for the long
term. The General received all OF
Hunton's votes with one or two excep-
tons, but several persons that Lee had
counted on supported Martin, among
them Senator Stubbs, of Gloucester,
and Delegate Cabell, of Richmond.
The caucus will meet tonight to nomi-
nate State officers.
Mr.. Martin was at the Exchange
when informed of his nomination, and
his headquarters, consisting Of four
rooms, soon became the scene of gen.
eral jollifcation. Champagne flowed
like water and the halls rung with the
shouts of his friends. Mr.. Martin was
smiling and self-possessed and had a
cordial hand-shake for all corners,
whether they had supported him in the
caucus or not. When Mr.. Barbour
Thompson, who was one of Mr.. Mar
tins chief lieutenants, entered the head
quarters some one proposed three cheers
for him, and they were given with a
will.
Mr.. Thomas S. Martin is 43 years-old
and is native of Albemarle county
and resides at Scottsville, on the
James river, where he has a fine
estate which he successfully cultivates.
He was educated at the Virginia Mill
tary institute, and studied law at the
University of Virginia. Martin is o
lawyer in active practice and ranks high
in the profession. He is counsel for the
Richmond and Danville and Cheasa-
peake and Ohio Railroad Companies.
He has never held any State or federal
office, and TO the general public is mol
we'll known. He has been regarded as 3
rising man bypoliticians and lawyers. He
made q reputation as an organizer by
controlling the great legislative caucus
for John w. Daniel and winning the
Senatorship for him over John S. Bar
bour, in the face of the fact that Bar
bour, as chairman of the State dem
ocratic committee. had won his great
victory over Malone. Up to that time
Martin was scarcely known outside of
his party. He has been member OF
the democratic State executive commit
tee since that time, and has always had
fondness for politics. He is clear
speaker, though he makes no preten-
sions at oratory. In the late debt set
Element he was frequently consulted by
the Virginia commissioners. He is con-
sidered very shrewd adviser. He has
been for many years member of the
Virginia democratic executive commit
tee and is credited with being shrewd
politician and effective organizer. He
was very highly esteemed as party
worker and advisor by the late Senator
John S. Barbour. While he has never
been candidate for political Office, he
has been an earnest worker in the DEM
ocratic ranks. In the recent contest in
Virginia over the democratic nomina-
ton for the presidency he was anti.
Cleveland, but as soon as he entered
the race for the Senatorship took no
part in the contest. He is unmarried.
General Eppa Hunton is native of
Fauouier county, Va, and was born on