Evening star., 1894-01-12
Six Circuit Judges to be Chosen in
That State.
UFERRALL'S SUCCESSOR IN THE HOUSE.
Reelection Prospects Of the
Members.
THE CAUCUS TONIGHT.

the elective work " Ill be out of the way and
then the assembly will get down to legisla-
tive work, as there are some measures of
great Importance to the state TO be acted
upon before adjournment on the 4th of
March.
Almost the entire time Of the body since
convening on the 9Th of December last has
been taken UP with the election of state
offices with which the legislature has had
court judges and now the circuit court
judges. To the people of Virginia the cir
cult court judgeships are the most important
officers with which the legislature has had
to deal. There are in all eighteen judicial
circuits in the state, and the tenure of the
offices is for eight years, each circuit en-
bracing from two to nine counties, including
the towns. This is the court to which coun-
ty court appeal cases go and it's judges are
the rural chancellors.
Twelve of the present circuit judges were
not opposed and were reelected by the as
sembly Wednesday in open session. In six
circuits there contests, including the
vacancy to be created by Judge Keith of
the eleventh. who was elected to the supreme
bench.
Judge G. w. Hin of the first circuit is
opposed by Mr.. r. X. Prentiss of Nanse-
mond county. This is known as the Nor
folk circuit, embracing Norfolk city along
with the county. Isle of Wight. Portsmouth,
Nansemond. Princess Anne and Southamp-
ton.
Mr.. Prentiss was one of the Cleveland
electors during the campaign last fall and
Is lawyer of considerable prominence. and
is strongly supported for the place. The
friends or Judge Hill. however, profess con-
fidence in his reelection.
The election of Judge James Keith Of .he
eleventh circuit to the supreme bench will
create vacancy in that circuit, composed
of Alexandria city and county Fauuuier
Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun and Rap
pahannock. The terms of the present mem-
bers or the supreme court will not expire
until January l. 1895, a year hence. and 1t is
not believed that Judge Keith will resign
his present judgeship until just before the
time FOR him to assume the duties Of his
new ONCE. Even II Judge Keith does not re-
sign until just before he enters upon his new
duties, this legislature will have to select
his successor. as the next assembly does
not convene until December. 1898, nearly
twelve months after Judge Keith will have
vacated. Hence the caucus tonight will
name his successor The principal candi-
dates for this honor are Charles E. Nicol
member of the house of delegates from
Prince William. and Judge j. X NJ Norton
of the corporation court of Alexandria
Judge r. H. Tebbs of Loudoun is also a can
didate. but the fight now is between Mr..
Nicol and Judge Norton with the former
we'll in the lead, and unless there is rad
ical change In sentiment between now and
tonight. II Is generally conceded that the
Mr.: Nieol is one of the leaders in the house
and was chairman of the recent Martin
senatorial investigation. .,---.. ~
In the twelfth circuit the incumbent Judge
Robert II. turner is opposed by State Sem
ator Thomas W. Harrison Of Frederick and
Winchester. 1t is conceded that Senator
Harrison will defeat Judge Turner
The next circuit in which there is a con-
test Is that OF the sixteenth, comprising the
extreme southwestern counties of Grayson,
Russell, Smythe and Washington Judge
John A. Kelly. the incumbent, who is very
old, Is not a candidate for re-election
Messrs ]. p Shelly of Smythe and George
W. Ward of Washington are the candidates.
Opinion seems to be divided as to who will
win.
In the seventeenth circuit, composed Of
Buchanan, Dickinson. Lee, Scott and Wise.
the incumbent, Judge II. s. X Morrison
has some opposition, but 1t is said not to be
strong enough to seriously jeopardize his
chances of success.
Speaker r. H. Cardwell of the house.
who was chosen one of the supreme court
Judges, will. 1t Is stated. retain his present
of the assembly. following O'FerralPs now
famous holding on" precedent.
President of the Supreme Court.
Speculation is now rife as to who will be
chosen president of the new court of ap-
peals or supreme court as il is popularity !
known. Mai. John w. Reilly of Halifax is
looked upon pretty generally as the man. |
He is the peer of any lawyer in Virginia,
and will doubt be recognized as the
ablest member on the new bench. His pop
uArity Is great, and his learning as a
lawyer and his imposing dignity as a man
creates an eternal fitness for the presd- |
ing officer of the highest court in his state. |
To Succeed Representative O'FerraIl.
The fight for the democratic nomination
for Congress in the seventh district made
vac " ha n
is waxing warm. There are six candidates
in the field, all of whom have some follow
ing They are: Ex-State Chairman Basil
Il. Gordon of Rappahannock, jefferson NJ.
Levy of Albemarle, the wealthy owner OF
Monticello" Capt. MacaJah Woods of
Aibemarle, state senator NJ. l.. Walton of
Shenandoah, capt. s. ). Turner OF War
rem and Mr. A. NJ. Moore of Clarke. The |
seventh congressional district is composed
of the cities of Winchester and Charlottes- |
vile and counties of Frederick, Clarke |
Warren, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene. !
Albemarle, Rockingham, Shenandoah and /
Page.
The fight now seems to be between Mr.. !
Gordon and Mr.. Levy. The former has es- |
tablished headquarters at Charlottesville !
and is pushing his candidacy for all 1t Is |
worth The Rappahannock county delega- |
ton when elected, was instructed to vote |
solidiy for Mr.. Gordon. and his friends |
claim that he has several delegates pledged |
to him in the other counties.
Mr. Levy's canvass is an interesting one. |
Some of the newspapers claim that he has |
broken O'Ferralrs record for promises. He |
has promised the people of Winchester that |
If they will send their delegation to the |
nominating convention instructed for him, |
he will If elected to Congress. secure an |
appropriation to erect for them public |
building, a monument in memory of Gen. |
Morgan and q boulevard from the city to |
the cemetery: that II Congress fails to ap- |
propriate the money he will provide 1T out |
of his private purse. 1t Is said that the |
generous aspirant for congressional honors |
has made several other overtures to the |
dear people, but these are all that have |
been vouched for by the people of the dis |
trict The fact that Mr.. Levy is amply able |
financially to make good his promises. If he |
feels so inclined. after his ambition shall !
have been gratified, adds interest to the |
affair.
The nominating convention will be held |
at Winchester on the I'D instant, and a |
lively time is expected. The election will |
take place the following Tuesday, the Both. |
1t is said that the populists Will nominate |
Gen. Thomas l.. RoSser Of Albemarle to op- |
pose the democratic nominee. Gen. Rosser, |
it will be RENE mbered, recently bolted the |
democratic party result of the nomina-
ton of O'Ferrall for governor.
The republicans have. so far, taken no in |
terest in the fight, and, ii is said, will make
no nomination as party.
Prospects of Virginia Members.
1t is reported here by those who are in |
position to know, that two of the present |
members of Congress from Virginia will |