Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-28
SOME LIVELY FIGHTS. LIKELY.
Contests for Congregational Nomina.
lions in Virginia.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star:
RICHMOND, Va, March 2S.-The con.
gressional campaign in Virginia will be one
Of the liveliest and most holly contested in
the history Of the state. 1t is not settled
yet whether or not the republicans, as an
organization, will place candidates in the
field, but several republicans will run in op-
position to the nominees Of the other par
ties. The populists will have candidates in
every district.
The most interesting feature Of the con-
test Is the opposition in the democratic
ranks to some of the present Representa-
tives for the democratic nominations. AT
least five of the present Congressman will
be strongly opposed before the congress
sional conventions this summer. Among
those are Paul c. Edmunds of the sixth dis
trict; James F. Epes of the fourth district
d. Gardner Tyler of the second Claude A
Swanson of the fifth and H. ST. George
Tucker of the tenth.
% The opposition to Mr.. Tyler will come
from Norfolk city, because they claim that
Norfolk and vicinity is geographically en-
titled to the Representative.
Considerable opposition has developed to
Mr.. Epes The movement, it is said. grows
out OF the fact that the democrats believe
that he Is not the strongest candidate that
can be selected. Many of the democrats
openly declare that Mr.. Epes' inactivity in
Congress. as well in the matter of Sc
curing federal patronage for his district
precludes the possibility of his again secur-
Ing the nomination. Some of the names
prominently mentioned as opponents of Mr.
Epes for the nomination are ex-Gov. Nc
Kinney Of Farmville, State Senator Thomas
n. Williams and Col. W. T. Atkins Of
Mecklenberg. A personal friend of ex-Gov
Mckinney told The Star correspondent TODAY
that he was quite sure that the ex-governor
would not be a candidate for Congress if he
had to make any effort to secure the noml-
nation. He thinks the governor is disposed
to accept it If it comes to him without the
asking; furthermore, he would not oppose
his warm personal friend, Col. Atkins, who
1t will be remembered. was a member of the
formers staff when he was governor.
No considerable opposition has developed
in the fifth district against Mr.. Swanson,
who is serving his first term in Congress.
The friends of Eugene Withers Of Danville
however, are urging him to oppose Mr..
Swanson for the nomination, and 1t is not
unlikely that he will do so.
The opposition to Mr.. Edmunds in the
portions, and 1t looks now as If he will have
a hard fight to get denomination. The
principal opponent is Maj. Peter ]. Otey OF
Lynchburg.
The most interesting fight Of all for DEM
ocratic nominate lions is that in the tenth dis
trict, where State Senator H. d. Flood of
Appomattox is opposing Mr.. Tucker. This
will undoubtedly be test Of strength be-
tween the Martin and Lee factions in the
democratic party. Mr.. Tucker was one Of
Gen. FitZ Lees most ardent advocat ties in
his fight for the United States senatorship,
while Mr.. Flood was one of Mr.. Martin
leaders, and made the nominating speech
before the democratic caucus in which Mr..
Martin won the prize. 1t is said that Mr..
VIM. A. Anderson of Rockbridge and State
Senator C. P. Jones of Highland will also
be in the race. but as yet they have devel-
oped no considerable strength.