The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-01
LYNCHBURG MAY0RALTY
VERY INTEREsTING FIGHT
AMONG MILL CITY CANDIDATES.
p,.,,v Girl. Are Discounting the old-Tims
Ward-W orkers and Making Can
vass OF the City.

LYNCHBURG, VA, April l.-SpeciaI.--
I.ynchburg Is the. scene Just now OF one
of the most interesting contests for party
nomination for municipal Offices the old
city has ever witnessed.
The officers to be elected at the May
election are Mayor. Commemorative At
torney, city Sergeant. and High Consta-
BILE. Up to the present time there Is no
opposition to the efficient city Sergeant.
S. H. Johnson. For high Constable the
present incumbent. Mr.. w. j. seabury Is
opposed by his deputy, Mr.. Goode.
The contest for Commemorative Attor-
ney has narrowed down TO two candi-
dates-the present incumbent Mr.. r. u.
Yancey, and Mr.. Don Halsey brilliant
young lawyer. nephew OF Senator John
W. Daniel.
Mr.. Yancey has been Mayor OF the city
for two terms, and declining 10 become
candidate for reelection two years ago,
became a candidate for Commonwealth
Attorney, and was elected BY a handsome
majority.
Both OF the candidates are popular
young men. have many staLnch support
ers, and the contest promises to be close
and interesting.
FIVE CANDIDATES.
For the Mayoralty there are five candi-
dates ia the field. with indications OF a
sixth man seeking the honor. The candi-
dates 80 FAR announced are the present
incumbent. Mayor smith, and Messrs. Jas
J. Lee. J.. 9. Hammer, Pau Ford, and
John W Slennan.
Mayor Smith was elected Mayor two
years ago under change in the charter
which made him simply the executive
head OF the city, and a police justice pre-
sided over the court which had previously
been held by the Mayor
The change was made shortly after the
Chicago Exposition, when the mover
thought Bynchburg was big enough TO
have an officer who would simply be the
executive head.
There were a number of candidates in
the field, but Mayor Smith led by good
majority Before his election Mayor
Smith was prominent tobacconist. His
business succumbcd TO hard times, and
he made an assignment. lie is a splendid
gentleman and II Is doubtful II he has
an enemy in the city.
MODEST NEWSPAPER MAN.
There were various reports of other
candidates coming out, but the first 20
publicly announce the fact was Mr. Slen-
nan. He IS fine writer. and 20 say any
thing about his personality would be
worse than bad taste. lie is in the
hands Of his friends lie promises a pro
gressive administration If he is elected.
Mr.. James j. Lee, prominent grocery
man and a member OK the City Council
from the First ward, next announced that
he was candidate for tho position, and
promises the people 100 cents OF services
for every dollar paid him and to reform
wherever reform is needed. He IS an
snterpr!sing citizen. a successful business
man. and has his share OF friends.
a DRUGGIST ALSO.
call from a friend through the Daily
News next brought out Mr.. Z. c. Hammer
as candidate. Mr. Hammer is a success
ful druggist. member OF the firm OF
Lumsden * Hammer. and has served sew
eral terms IN the city Council He has
been an active councilman, and was the
author Of the much-talked-s bout COW law.
and II was largely due 10 his efforts that
cheaper lights were secured for the city.
The COW law made him some enemies. but
he has many friends and admirers. He
viii not make a personal canvass OF the
city but has sent out several thousand
letters TO the voters
Police Justice Paul Ford was the last
candidate 10 come out. He waited 10 SEQ
what would be done about the position
he held. The charter was changed by
the last Legislature 10 the old arrange
mont, and as IL did not provide FOR a
police justice. Mr.. Ford entered the Held
Mr. Ford is a native Of Charlotte. He
was Mayors clerk for several years. a
member OF the police force. and police
justice. He has filled the latter position
very acceptably.
NEW ELEMENT INTRODUCED.
His candidacy introduced a new ele-
ment in the canvass.
lie has a pretty daughter. who. with
her mother has been canvassing the CITY
for him. This has stirred up the lady
friends Of the other candidates, and for
the present the occupation of the ward
worker Of imaginary influence is gone.
one young lady who has taken much IN
terest in the campaign Of one Of the
candidates, says she has made her whole
neighbOrhOod solid for him.
The 23d OF April. the date for the pri-
mary. will tell the story. In the mean
while each candidate is confident that he
Is the winner.