Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
WASHINGTON DULL.
NOTICE OF CONTEST SERVED ON
REPRESENTATIVE SWANSON.
THE COMING VIRGINIA ELECTION.
Names Mentioned In Discussing
Democratic Nomination for Gov
ernor-A Disposition TO Give Popu-
lists the Lteutepant-Govern


Washington very duh. All the members
OF the Virginia delegation have left for
their homes. with the exception of Sena-
tor Martin, who has a residence here.
and Representative Swanson. who viii
go TO Richmond tomorrow, and remain
there several days, and then go to Dan
VILE. Senator Martin will spend the holi-
days here.
4 notice OF contest was served on
Representative Swanson yesterday by Mr..
Edgar Allan. attorney for John II. Brown.
The document is made up OF the usual
Republican allegations of fraud and ir-
regularties. Mr. Swanson feels conf
dent of being able to successfully meet
all of the allegations, and prove much
fraud and misconduct on the part of the
partisans OF his competitor.
This makes three contests from Nir-
ginia, and judging from the number from
other States that have been filed. there
viii be much delay in reaching a con-
cluson i'm all Of them. II IS very
striking fact that the contests are three
times more numerous when the House is
Republican than when 1t is Democratic.
This has been commented upon here,
and discussed in the newspapers so much
that the Republicans are disposed TO give
very little ENCOURAGEMENT to contest
ants. Prominent Republicans in the
House have expressed themselves as
weary with the perpetual clamor and
complaint of their brethren in the South.
Those southern Republicans who sur
render their opportunities for Office in the
hope of securing seats in Congress will
be grievously disappointed.
Speaker Reeds experience Of last ses-
sion in indirectly aiding the contestants
in the hope Of securing delegates 10 ST.
Louis was so disappointing TO him that
IL Is currently reported here that he VIII
give them very poor comfort In the next
Congress. Without his aid, and with the
vast and important legislation which will
confront the Republican party and keep
1t busy, most OF the contestants are des-
tined TO spend weary months OF waiting
and incur great expense, without real
izing success. Members are usually so
much interested in their own affairs and
in measures affecting their own districts
that they have little time TO devote TO
the grievances of defeated candidates.
Washington. and Congress especially, Is
a poor place for receiving sympathy upon
supposed or real grievances.
VIRGINIA GOVERNORSHIP.
II Is noted here that most OF the Vlr-
ginians who come TO Washington have
no decided preferences for the next Dem
ocratic gubernatorial nomination. There
seems 10 be a general sentiment that the
best and strongest man should be nomi-
mated Most OF them concur I'm the ex-
preston that the matter has been very
little discussed in their sections There
Is evidently a marked determination that
the convention. when II assemblies, shall
endorse tho Chicago platform, and con-
tinue 10 represent Democratic principles,
as last promulgated. Many candidates
are spoken of for Governor. Ex-senator
Eppa Hunton. Representatives L. +.
Meredith. and II. 81. George Tucker,
Hon. John Goode, Congressman ". A.
Jones Hon. J. Hoge Tyler, Hon. J. Tay-
Tor EllysOn Judge Leigh r. Watts and
others are mentioned IN connection with
tho nomination.
as the section from which the Attor-
ney-General viii be taken Is dependent
upon that from which the Governor VIII
be chosen. il ia impossible TO say who
the candidates for this place viii be, but
the following gentlemen have been men
toned as possible candidates: Mr.. Lloyd
Smith. OF the First District; Mr.. Frank
Lassiter. Of the Fourth District; Judge
Rhea, from the Ninth District; Attorney
General Scott. the present incumbent,
from tho Eighth District. and others.
There is very little said about the lieu
tenants oyernorship. This is a position
for which candidates very rarely offer,
as 1t is usually conferred by the con-
vention By reclamation upon some per-
son whom all concede will add strength
TO the ticket. This was the case when
both Hon. ]. Hoge Tyler and Hon. Robert
G. Kent were nominated.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
There Is a good deal OF talk about con-
ceding this place 10 the Populists. and
nominating Hon. Mann Page. The Popu-
lists extended such warm and disnte-
rested support 10 the Democratic ticket
in Virginia last fall that there are many
who earnestly favor this proposition.
Major Page was a most earnest sup
porter OF the entire Democratic ticket.
As president OF the Farmers Alliance, it
is thought he would add great strength
TO the ticket. 1t is understood that this
would be perfectly agreeable TO the Popu-
lists. and would insure the entire support
of that party, provided its other nomi-
nees were unquestionably for free silver.
and favorable TO the reelection of Sena-
tor Daniel. 1t seems TO be assured that
there will be fusion between the Demo-
Gratis and Populists In many legislative
districts. The Populists are all for Sena-
tor Daniel, and ii is thought by many 10
be very bad policy to have Daniels
strength reduced by any division among
his supporters.
DANIELS STRENGTH.
1t Is evident 10 even a casual observer
That Senator Daniel is stronger with and
al
Virginia people than any other public
man mas been for years. The enthusi-
asm for him pervades all sections Of the
State His courage fascinating person
ality, brilliant attainments wonderful
eloQuence, and great influence in the
councils Of the nation seem to have made
such an impress upon the Virginia peo-
pie as to eliminate party lines, override
financial differences, and assure that he
will be his own successor.
Many Republicans, from an admiration
of Senator Dapel. and many from a
knowledge OF the influence that he will
WELD In the Senate, in confirming APP
pointments from Virginia, are indisposed
TO make a fight against him.
1t is evident that Major Daniels per-
sonality. and the silver question. which
he represents, will tower over every other
issue in the campaign next fall.
PERSONAL.
Mr. John r. Macmurdo. of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway Company, and
X. +. Phifer, of Concord, n. c., are at
the Metropolitan.
Mr.. C. p. Il. Burgwin, OF Richmond.
passed through yesterday, on his way to
Baltimore.
NJ. Anderson, OF Norfolk. and ]. A.
Dill, of Beaufort, n. C.-Metropolitan.
Ii. O. Claggett. Leesburg-National.
j. ID. Morse. Warrenton, Va.-the RAJ
leigh.
r. L. Flatford. and II. l.. Lane OF
Stafford. Va.-Howard House.