Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-09
POLITICS IN VIRGINIA.
Surprise at Capt. Wisc's Defeat-in
the Tenth District.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va. August 3, 1884.
Now that the contests In the ranks of the
democratic party for congressional nomina-
items have been nearly all settled. interest
centers in the probable outcome of the
battle between the different parties.
The result of the contest IN the third dis
trict afforded great establishment. and has
deeply affected the state at large. The de-
feat Of Representative George ID. Wise by
Col. Tazewell Elicit for the democratic
nomination w6s not only unexpected but
inexphcable. MIR. Wise was considered to
be one of the strongest members Of his
party. and nearly all of his victories in the
past have been won with comparative ease.
He is hard worker. a good organizer, and
a shrewd and sagacious politician. Just
what cause the democrats of Richmond
had for this coup d'etat at Mr.. Wise's ex-
pense cannot be explained, not even by
those who effected il.
Mr.. Wise has represented this district
in Congress consecutively for twelve years
succeeding as a democrat tic representative
the late Gen. Joseph l.. Johnston. Mr.
Wise has been in political life for about
twenty-five years, having flled ably and
satsfs ctorily the office of commemorative
attorney of Richmond for a number of
years. This is not Capt Wise's first intro
duction TO defeat, for in 1872 he was beaten
by the late j. Amber Smith for Congress;
subsequently he was nominated and elected
and has been six times reelected. When
he retires from Congress on the 4th of
March Eext he will undoubtedly resume the
practice of law In Richmond. 1t is said by
some that he will again become a candidate
for commemorative attorney Of Richmond
but his friends deny this, saying that Mr.
Wise's next political venture will be TO seek
a return to Congress-.
Those close TO Mr.. Wise however, say
that he will make his residence in the
future In Washington city, where he will
retire altogether from business, and live
there upon his income. He Is well on own
Ing remunerative properties in California
His vehement oratory led him into many
difficulties while at the bar here. This led
him into a duel with the late United States
Senator Riddleberger. After an exchange
of shots Mr.. Riddleberger expressed him
self satisfied. Mr.. Wise is a cousin of John
). Wise, formerly of this city, now of New
York. ard is a bachelor.
Col Ellett, who will succeed him in Con-
gress, is one of Richmonds most popular
lawyers, being great favorite with all
classes OF people. He has striking per-
sonality. is a logical and forcible talker
and pleasing in personal address. He has
never before held an elective office. He was
defeated last spring for the office of COM
monwealth's attorney of this city by Mr.
IL. NJ Smith, jr. He received his title as
colonel of the first Virginia regiment He
is about forty-1ive years old, and widower
He will undoubtedly take a prominent part
early I'm his term in the PROCEEDINGS of Con-
gress. His prominence in politics in Viz
ginia has given him a wide acquaintance
ship with men and affairs, and upon the
whole he is we'll equipped for the duties of
the office to which the democrats will elect
him.
The congressional fight In the tenth dis
trict IS assuming interesting proportions
Both the republican and Democrats can
didates have opened their campaign Rem
resentatiye Tucker, who will be the demo-
cratic nominee. started his ball rolling at
Lexington on Monday. with Mr. champ
Clarke of Missouri as the orator OF the oc-
casion. The reports indicate that Mr.
Tucker had a large crowd and a great deal
of enthusiasm was manifested
MIR. Jacob Iost of Staun ton. who has been
nominated by the republicans opened his
canvass today at Covington, where he was
greeted by fairly large audience Mir
Iost outlined his canvass. He is a most
sincere advocate of the doctrine of protec-
tlon,and VIII evidently make his fight largely
upon this line He does not hesitate also to
make satirical references to the administra-
ton and its head.