The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-09
ONLY FIVE WEEKS MORE.
The Democratic Primary 10 Be Hid on
the 10 h Of March.
MEETING CT THE CITY COMMITTEE.
There Was a Spirited Debate over the
Question Of the Date, and those Who
Advucaled an Early Election Won
Bya Majority of Two Votes.

The City Democratic Committee last
night decided to hold the primary election
on Tuesday. March 18th.
This IS. perhaps. the earliest date ever
selected. Nominations have generally
been made IN the latter part OF April
There was a large attendance Of the
committee. The meeting was held in
the assembly hall Of rhe Powhatan club
building, and the session was a secret
one only members Of the committee
were admitted into the room.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours.
Lines were closely drawn. The fight was
for an early and a late primary. Messrs.
II. NJ Tyler. Marion l. Dawson and JEFF
forson Wallace advocated the proposition
OF acting slowly ana cautiously. They
thought II was for the best interests OF
the party 10 hold the election about the
usual time MCssrs j. N. y. Allen,
" G.. Duke. Sam Stern and j. D.
Doher Y were the leaders Ia the move
ment for an early election
THE VOTE WAS CLOSE.
IL was oontended by the advocates or
the early election that all the candidates
had been I'm the field for several months.
and II would be "a great hardship on them
10 postpone the date for making the nomi-
nations until late IN April On the other
hand. the opposition argued that the
making OF early nominations would not
be good politics. for It would give those
who oppose the Democratic party an op-
portunity 10 take advantage OF any mis-
takes that might be made in the pri-
mary.
The fight first occurred on n motion TO
postpone action for two weeks This was
defeated and then the matter Of fixing
tho date came MP. March 1st was con-
sidcred ana rejected, and March 18th was
selected by a vote OF II 10 y. motion
was made 10 reconsider the vote, but was
lost.
4 SHORT CAMPAIGN.
This Is. perhaps. the earliest date ever
selected Tor a municipal primary cleo
tiOn In Richmond. The contest viii last
only Eve weeks and il will furnish many
interesting and some exciting incidents.
Nominations are 20 be made for Mayor,
Commonwealths Attorney. city Sergeant.
Sheriff. Commissioner OF the Revenue.
city Collector High Constable. half Of
the members Of The Board Of Aldermen,
all Of the members Of the Common Coun-
eli and Justices Ct the Peace. Members
Of the City Council are also TO be chosen.
The leaders of the Democratic League
for Good Government were IN favor OF
late primary.
REGISTRATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Messrs. C.. r. Winston, Of Clay Ward,
and Morgan r. Mills. Of jefferson Ward.
resigned from the committee 10 run for
the City Council Mr.. G. l.. Blunt was
chosen to succeed Mr. Winston but the
election Of MIR. Minis successor was post
ponod.
The resignation OF Mr. H. ST. John
Coalter. OF Monroe Ward, was taken from
the table and accepted but the selection
Of his successor was postponed
Mr.. Walter l.. Joyner resigned as SER
ccant-at-arms. Of the Committee and on
Mr.. Jefferson Wallaces motion Mr. W. J.
DOYLE was elected 20 succeed him.
The committee will meet at tho call Of
the chairman. AT the next meeting tho
plan for thu primary will be adopted.