The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-17
U,FERRJLI'S DfsIh''
Contest for the Congressional Ho"'naoon'
Mr.. Bs.ii Gordon'- Caro-

MI Basil Gordohr ~,
A special from Winchester nus us
cusses the coming contest in inc seventh
congressional district:
The Democratic Congressional oohVen-
tion for the Seventh district, to nominate
a candidate to succeed Hon. ma - l.
O'Ferrall. who resigned Deceiio-I -''h
to enter upon the duties Of GoNeinOI Ol
Virginia, Is to meet I'm HarIisonDui =
Rockingham county, on the -'1 u ne
present month. The announce en.'ui
dates for the nomination are MI. Dasu
b. Gordon, Of Rappahannoch S,ss :
Captain Micajah Woods, OF S en-
State Senator VI. l.. Walton, "a W
doah; Captain Smith ;. Turner, ~ -
ron and William A, Moore. Jr, or 'iarAe
Rappahannock has elected deies"ee. ,'i.4
Instructed them In favor OF us l,.e
snn AIR Gordon. Albemarle. including
Charlottesville, has instructed TOT IaP'"in
Woods. and Shenandoah Warren anu
Clarke may be expected TO take s'ii''ar
action in favor of their countyihei''
Frederick, Rockingham. Greene, Maul-
son, and Page counties, also IN the
Seventh district, have no annoi ;ed '"h-
ddates. but there are several dark DISCS
In these counties quite willing 10 be, struck
by congressional lightning. Mr.. Jefferson
NJ Levy. OF Albemarle. was also can
didate for the nomination. but after the
primaries in Charlottesville, which re-
suited In favor OF Captain WOODS, WITH
drew I'm favor of the latter.
with tive candidates In the field, eacn
assured Of their home counties and NUM-
Der of scattering votes, 1t is clear that a
nomination cannot be reached on the flrst
bollot. Captain Woods has the SOLID sup
port Of Albemarla with rs votes ana, MS
friends claim will develope considerable
strength in Rockingham, Gretn ne, ana MAD
isoE. Should this be the case he VIII DE
one of the leading candidates on the first
ballot. But the friends of the other candi-
datas assert that Captain WcCds VIII not
be able 10 materially increase his vote on
the succeeding ballots, assigning a a rea-
son that Hon Thomas >. Martin, an Abe
marie man, has just captured six-yeafs'
term IN the United States Senate, and That
IL is not probable the other counties VIII
also c0ncede the cofgft ssio8ai domination,
good for at least two terms. 10
an Albemare man. The friends
Of Mr. Basil 3. Gordon base their
hopes not only on the fact that
he will go into the convention with con-
siderable strength but they claim he Will
be the second choice OF more Of the dele
gates than any OF the other aspirants his
efficient services in the Legislature and as
chairman of the Democratic State Com
mttee, as well as his exceedingly rberaf
contributions to Democratic campaign
funds. having made him generally known
and personally very popular. This seems
20 be recognized by some OF the more zeal
Gus advocates of some Of the other asplr-
ants, who have INDUCED in the assertion
that Mr.. Gordon is not a Virginiau TO
refute this charge Mr.. Gordon has felt
compelled TO issue a card 20 the Demo
cratic voters of the Seventh congressional
district Of Virginia, in which he says:
"Since announcing my candidacy for
Congress in the Seventh district ! have
relied mainly upon my public record and
upon the cooperation Of my friends, with
results that / believe will yindicate the
wisdom of my policy.
AS the canvass draws near 4 close
find myself confronted with the charge
that | am not "A Nrginian. and that / am
not strong enough to discharge the duties
OF the Office
Il have been a member of the Virginia
Legislature for six years. and was secre-
tary Of the Democratic State Committee
during the campaigns of 1885. 1887, and
1855.
I'm 1889 when the Republican party
had unlimited patronage and power at its
back. / was thought enough OF a Vlrgnian
to lead the Virginia Democracy, and /
was found strong enough to carry the
State by over 1000.
''In 1892, when Cover Cleveland was the
candidate and ~ snia was reckoned
among the doubtful states. J was strong
enough 10 conduct a campaign that re-
suited in 5000 majority.
apparently ] am strong enough 10
represent MY people at Richmond. but
not strong enough to represent them at
Washington; strong enough to bear the
burdens of the party. but not strong
enough 10 reap it's rewards.
Il cannot believe that any Virginia
constituency will be influenced by con-
siderations so unworthy, and / appeal to
your sense Of fair play and to your man.
hood to resent this cowardly charge"