Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-07

contest has been concluded. the Senator'S
and Delegates, aided by the lobbyists,
are devoting their energies to discus
sion OF the circuit judgeships. There are
sixteen judicial circuits for which judges
are 10 be chosen. In many or them there
Is no opposition to the incumbents, but
over FIVE circuits hot fights are likely 10
ensue In the first Judge Hill, the in
cumbent. Is being opposed by Mr.. Prem
tiss, of Nansemond. and Judge Keeling.
OF the County Court OF Princess Anne.
The friends OF Mr.. Prentiss are making
strong canvass, and claim that they
will be able to elect him on the first bal
lot
PRESENT JUDGE GUNTER'S CLAIMS.
The contest for the judgeshlp Of the
Eighth Circuit. composing the two East
ern Shore counties and those lying on
the Peninsula between the York ana
the James, is exciting much interest botn
I'm those counnes and among the members
OF the General Assembly. The candidates
for the position are Hon. benjamin l.
Gunter. the present incumbent, ana Elk
State-Senator J. w. G. Blackstone Do'h
of the county Of Accomac. A large deie-
CATION from the Eastern Shore and se'e.
raj from Hampton arrived In kicnmohu
Friday In the interests OF Judge Gunter,
and have been making an active canvass
for him among the members OF the Gene
raj Assembly. The delegation held con-
ference yesterday morning at Ford hOtel
and laid before the Senator'S and Dele
gates from the district the claims Oh
Judge Gunter, anu the popular sentiment
said TO be prevailing In all parts OF 'ne
district Is in favor of his election. IL was
stated by all those who spoke at the con-
ference that extraordinary interest -
manifested in Judge Gunters pehalL
among all classes OF people In all parts
Of the district. Among those VINO were
present at the conference were ex-State-
senator Frank Fletcher, Frank p. Brent,
william T. Mason, Commonwealths-A SAT
torney James IT, Fletcher, a. j. McMatn'
Snencer +. Rodgers, A. j. Illusion
and Thomas C. Kelly, OF Accomac; ONO
r Mears and DR.. p. a. FtZhugh' OF
Northampton; Colonel Thomas Taoo' OF
Hampton. and all the members OIL tne
General Assembly from the Eighth CIR
cult with one exception
OTHER CIRCUITS.
The election of Judge Keith, OF the
Eleventh Circuit 10 a seat on the Su-
preme Court Of Appeals bench makes
his nosition vacant January ], 1882 ana
Delegate Nicol is being urged by ms
friends for the vacancy His claims TOT
the seat are being contested by Judge
Norton. of the Corporation court Oh
Alexandria. and Judge Tlops, OF the
county Court OF Loudoun. Both gentle
men are actively at work, but Mr.. Nicol
beina on the field has a shade the adj
,,o,toso His friends claim that they
ho1a n large majority Of the senator's
and members pledged to support Mr..
Nicol. ~. o,,.,, III, ~,
1raIlv the incumbent, IS not a candidate
Tor reelection. Delegate John p. Shelly
ard Judge G. w. Ward. OF the County
Court of Washington, are the only can
dilates in the field thus lar Put MARI
struggle Is likely to ensue between them.
potb are well known in both the Senate
and House.
Senator r. w Harrison has announced
himself n candidate against Judge r. II.
Turner. of the Twelfth Circuit, who will
stand for reelection. Senator Harrison mas
a small army OF friends at work for him,
and Judge Turner Is also beng strongly
advocated for the seat. The fight bids
fair to be an interesting one all round.
The caucus for the nominations will be
held next Friday night.
MECHANICS LIENS.
Tho mechanics lien bill. introduced by
Mr.. Bryant, providing that the time OF
limiting the amount Of the lien or sub
contractors within the cities 10 the con-
tract-price Is eliciting no little discussion
among the law element of both houses.
The matter, as was stated In the Dispatch.
came up for discussion before the Com
mittee for Courts OF Justice Friday and
after being discussed at some length by
a number Of Richmond lawyers ana others
was passed by, and no time set for fur
Their hearing. 1t now appears as though
the bill would be again brought up Tor
another airing before the committee tues
day. and It is thought that some action
Will then be taken.
STATE BANK-BILL.
Mr.. Nicors State Bank-bill Is the sub
feet OF no little discussion around the
House of Delegates. The prevailing opinion
seems to be that action on the matter will
be deferred until after some action IS
taken by Congress on the 10 percent. tax
question IF the tax Is abolished" said
one member. ct will be time enough then
for the Legislature to take action on the
Nicol bill. There is no use In passing the
bill before there is a necessity for 1t, and
that necessity can only be created by the
repeal OF the State Bank 10 per cent. tax
by Congress"