Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-01
LYNN OR HELMS ONE.
OTHER CANDIDATES WITHDRAW,
LEAVING A STRAIGHT FIGHT.
FRIENDS OF BOTH ARE CONFIDENT.
Each Claims More Than Enough
Votes to Nominate on First
BaIlot-Grent Interest I'm the Fight
for Mr. Massey's Place.

|
Mondays scenes in hotel lobbies we're
repeated yesterday. The contingent Of
candidates was not greatly increased. for
they have nearly all been here for seve-
raj days, but the number of legislators
received substantial additions, and neatly
the entire number of senators and dele
gates were in the city by the time the
caucus met last night.
The contest for the superintendency Of
the penitentiary was greatly simpiied
yesterday afternoon, late, by the with
drawal from the contest OF Messrs. A..
w. Finch, Of Botetourt, and Samuel Dom
aid, of Augusta. The managers Of these
| gentlemen distinctly announced that they
withdrew in favor of Mr.. Helms, and the
latters partisans claim that practically
the solid vote that would have been given
to the two Tenth District candidates will
90 to him. They were jubilant last night
Mr.. Helms said that he was confident Of
having several votes 10 spare on the
| first ballot.
PLENTY OF RUMORS.
As to what led TO the concentration Of
| the fight there are many rumors. but the
details Of any deal, however much it may
be suspected, could not be learned. Mr..
a. w. Finch. when asked as to the cause
that led to his withdrawal, said that he
dd so in the interest of harmony; that
| he was not willing to accept a position
| II his obtaining 1t involved the sacrifice
l Fnf
| any compromise had been reached, and
| its nature, he refused to say, but re-
| marked, "My friends may elect me TO
| something" smiling significantly.
The friends of Major Lynn refuse 10
| admit the great Importance Of the with
| drawal of Messrs. Finch and Donald.
| one Of the Superintendent's managers,
| who refused TO allow his name to be
! quoted. said TO a reporter last night: at
| is nonsense TO say that these withdraw
| ais mean Major Lynn's defeat. l am not
sure that if every vote which would have
| gone TO Donald and Finch is cast for
Helms. he will be elected. AS it is l am
confident that their elimination from the
fight means increased strength for Lynn.
| claim. with every reason for doing so,
that his chances for election are excel
lent"
Mr.. Z. W. Saunders, of Franklin, one of
Mr.. Helms's managers. said: Helms
could lose several votes and still be elect
ed. We have more than sufficient num-
Der pledged to US"
SOME FURTHER EFFECTS.
The Withdrawals from the contest for
the superintendency Of the penitentiary
will probably have a decided effect
upon the contest for the office Of Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction. Mr..
Bader's friends last night We're scarcely
less iubilant than Mr. Hclms's. Both
Donald and Finch being from the Tenth
District, has all along rather embarrassed
the candidacy of the Staunton man, and
his friends now claim that his prospects
have been immeasurabiy frightened.
Mr.. Southalrs friends appeared to be
well satisfied with the outlook, and pooh
poohed the rumors to the effect that
deals haG been cOnsummated by which
their man would be beaten, or that
Bader is stronger than Southall. They
have all the while claimed that they were
at least next in strength to Mr.. Massey,
and now claim they are stronger Mr..
Peyton of Henry. is making quiet can
vass. but his interests are not being
neglected.
MIR. Frank F. Brent. of Accomac, is
developing great strength, and Mr. HUI
vey's and Mr.. Craighill's supporters are
not dismayed and are working Ike
beavers.
MR.. MASSEY'S FIGURES.
The familiar figure Of the incumbent, AR.
Massey, was seen nearly all the afternoon
at Nlurphy's Hotel. Mr.. Massey, when
asked as to his chances Of reelection
said: "The man is not born who is going
TO defeat me-
The opposition estimates Mr.. Massey's
strength as follows: The First District,
largely against him; the Second for him;
in the Third he will not get two votes;
in the Fourth he has considerable
strength; in the Fifth he has none; in
the Sixth he is quite strong; IN the
Seventh comparatively little; the Eighth
and Ninth solid for him; and the Tenth
very much divided.
Mr.. Helms has been in the city since
Monday. looking after his interests. He
has d wide acquaintance in the party, and |
many friends who may or may not be |
supporters. He is a tobacco manufac- |
turer and merchant, and occupied the |
position Of Internal Revenue Collector |
for the Western District of Virginia du- !
ring Clevelands first Administration. Mr.. |
Helms achieved considerable notOriety |
during his incumbency Of the office OF |
postmaster at Rocky Mount by paying |
MS assessment lOI campaign pun poSCS, |
levied by Senator Malone, in Confede- |
rate bills. He is a prominent Democratic |
worker
ANOTHER WITHDRAWAL.
The contest for the place of Register |
Of the Land Office has been somewhat |
simplihed by the withdrawal from the |
race of Mr.. S. c. Stratton, of Appomat-
tox. Mr. Richard Drummond, of Am
herst. claims that this greatly increases
his strength.
Two prominent candidates for this posi-
ton. besides Colonel j. w. Richardson, |
the incumbent, are Mr.. l.. T.. Lookabill,
of Roanoke and DR.. Carter Berkeley,
Of StauntOn.
1t is remarkable that each Of the four
candidates named claims he will lead |
on the first ballot. Mr.. Drummond makes
no specific claims, but his friends are
sanguine. Or. Berkeley says his strong
hold is among members from the Valley
and Piedmont Virginia, though he has
an extensive acquaintance throughout
the State, and will receive support from
members from various sections, enough
to make him feel confident of election.
Dr. Berkeley is the only ex-Confederate
Of the seven who are aspirants for this
position. Mr.. Lookabill claims to have
received great encouragement yesterday.
There are no more confident men in the
present lobby than he and his support
ers. Mr.. John Jackson, of Richmond,
says he is in the fight to win and conf
dent Of victory. Interest in the contest
for this position has considerably in
creased within the past day or two, and