Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-18
Another Democratic Congressional
Nomination to Be Made.
UNCERTAINTY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT
Reports From Throughout the
State.
HOPES OF j. HAMPTON HOGE
Special Correspondence Of The Evening star

RICHMOND, Va, September IL, 1894.
The democrats have made one more con-
gressional nomination, leaving but one dis
trict without nominee; this Is the
fourth. where they have been rather slow in
getting together owing to the uncertainty
Of the situation. The democratic nominal
ton made this week. that Of Representative
d. Gardner Tyler, In the second or Norfolk
district, was quite significant, although not
altogether unexpected. Mr.. Tyler had
strong opposition. ami number of disinter-
seems. however. that he had mended his
fences admirably and went through, being
nominated on the first ballot.
Col. j. Fenton Day, the father of the pro-
spective bride of Senator-elect Martin, who
was candidate for the nomination. did not
develop as much strength as was expected
1t was thought that Col Day would be Mr.
Tyler's strongest opponent, but the result
shows that he was third in the race. From
reliable sources it seems that the men who
are in the ascendancy in the democratic
party were backing Col Day. This single
victory places Mr.. Tyler in the front ranks
of the shrew politicians in Virginia. His
district Is one of. the most difficult to con-
troll i'm the state, especially when his own
party is in control of the federal govern
nlent. There are always many dissensions
growing out of the federal patronage in the
Norfolk navy yards. and in the marine sta
tons along the coast. Mr.. Tyler has dis
tributed this patronage in a most judicious
manner, and seems to increase continually
his popularity.
AS to the party opposition In this district.
little can be ascertained as yet. Neither the
republicans or the populists have as yet
do .sx,.fs <1r.- a. t.
yet whether or not they will place candi-
dates in the field. This district, up to four
years ago, has always been considered as
republican district. comprising, as II does, a
portion of the black belt. and embracing a
large protective constituency. This is one
of the districts which the late John s. Bar
bour, when he was chairman of the party
advised his associates not to waste their
energies on. as he considered that they
would be useless.
Chairman J. Taylor Ellyson, however
when he assumed the position Of chairman
OF the democratic party, made an effort to
wheel II into the democratic column, which
effort has proven decidedly successful Mr.
Ellyson Is one Of the men who does not be-
ieve in surrendering without a fight, and
never comedies anything to the opposition,
but works as II he intends to always win
There Is talk Of a fusion candidate in this
district between the populiSts and prohibi-
tionists. as is the case in the sixth district.
II Is believed by the prohibitionists that
in the congressional fight. II will be re-
called that the prohibition reform move
ment swept Norfolk city recently in a NUM-
cipal hight. Mr. Ellyson, however. does not
believe that Norfolk will ever again vote
with the prohibitionists, especially in a
congressional fight. The recent municipal
election was a reform movement in oppo-
sition to an Objectionable ring who had
control Of the city government. and which
was overthrown. These reformers now, 1t
seems. are satisfied and will hereafter vote
the ticket of their fathers.
But one thing Is certain to a careful OBJ
server, and that is Mr.. Tyler will not have
a walkover If the opposition to him can
agree upon some one good man. 1t is not
believed. however, that the opposition par
ties will do this. as the populists with one
exception, have always refused to enter
into fusion with other parties. Their re-
fusal to do this will certainly lose for them
success In many instances this fall.
On Thursday last Col. ]. Thomas Goode
Of Mecklenburg county was renOminated
by the populists in the fourth district
This was quite an agreeable surprise to the
populists to remain silent and give their
Endorsement tacitly to Mr.. r. p. Thorpe
the republican nominee. Mr.. Thorpe was
in the field early. and 1t was said had based
his hopes Of success upon some sort OF
fusion with the populists. There can be nc
doubt about the fact that Col. Goode will
poll the full populist strength in this dis
trict. 1t Is equally certain that Mr. Thorpe
being the case. great encouragement is
given to the democratic party, who hope
through this splitting of the strength of the
opposition that their candidate will win.
Democratic Convention on Wednesday
The democratic convention in this dis.
trict will meet next Wednesday, the 10Th
II. Petersburg to select their candidate
This will complete the democratic con-
gressional ticket in Virginia. From pres
ent Indications 1t is foregone conclusion
that Mr.. w. r. WcKenney will be the
choice of the convention. The democrats
could not settle upon a stronger man than
Mckinney. He is a young lawyer of mark
ed ability, and has made quite reputation
as speaker. He is an earnest, Jealous
worker, and in addition, a man of brillian,
attachments. His friends in Petersburg
without exception, say that If he is nomi.
mated he will be elected by the largest ma
jority yet given to democratic candidate
in this district.
The populists. however, claim that Col
Goode will certainly be elected They say
that there is a large majority of populists
and disaffected democrats who will support
their favorite. Nearly all of the fourth
district is in the black belt" and the ones.
ton turns upon the fact who the negroes
will vote for. Thorpes friends say that
they will vote for him. which seems most
likely, Iut Goodies friends claim also n
number of their votes. At any rate from
the peresent outlook, the negroes hold the
key to the situation in the fourth
A VfndicatiOn for Col. GoOde
The populists here are very much stirred
up over what they claim is continual fraud
in elections in this district. They claim
that Goode was elected by a clear ma
jority two years ago when he ran against
Representative Epes for Congress- AS an
Indication of their feelings on this SUBJ
ject the following from the resolutions
adopted by their convention on last Thurs
day, which nominated Goode, shows:
Whereas. the people in convention as
sernbled In Petersburg in 1892 nominated
Col j. Thomas Goode for Congress from
this, the fourth, congressional district, and
whereas, in NovembeS, 1892, the voters Of
this district elected him by an overwhelm-
ing majority, as shown by the returns
made to the clerks OF each county and
whereas, the commissioners of said coun-
ties, to carry out the plain letter of the
law. and in viola ton thereof by throwing