The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
The MUNICIPAL PRIMARY.
tits Tr,blbIe That II Nay Not Be He'd
for Some Time 10 Come
CITY CONN 7 lEg To MET TUESDsY
A Number of Its N embers Opposed 70 An
Early Primary. Resignations to BE
offered by Candidates Opposing
Forces ia the Coming Fight.

A call viii DO Issued tomorrow for
meeting Of the City Democratic Commit
tee TO be held Tuesday night at o'clock
In the Powhatan club house.
IL has been heretofore stated that the
candidates. OF whom there is a prodigious
number already IN the field we're begging
Tor an early primary in order that the
strain upon both their minds and pocket
books might be removed. The opinion
has been generally expressed during tho
past few days that the committee would
take UP the subject Tuesday night and
call primary not later than March 1st.
THE NEW LAW.
Under law just passed by the Leg
stature. the committee has power 10
call a primary election any length Of time
they may zee ht before a general cleo
tion. Under the former law on the SUBJ
1ect a legalized primary could not be
held less than twenty nor more than
thirty days before general election.
As above stated it has been the gem
erai impression that the committee on
Tuesday night would take pity on the
candidates and put them out OF their
misery.
From information obtained last night
however. II seems possible that the sub
gcct may not be taken UP al all al this
meeting. or that II n IS tho committee
will decline to order a primary for some
time TO come
10 is known that some members OF the
committee are I'm favor OF holding the
primary and settling the question OF who
VIII represent tho people during the
next term. but others. and possibly a
majority thing otherwise. They desire
the merry campaign 10 continue as long
as possible.
Although tho committee may not pass
on this important question Tuesday night.
yet. as 70 Is the first meeting Of the cam
paign there Will be sufficient business TO
engage its attention II Is said that quite
a number Of designations will be handed
In by members who have been smitten
with desire 10 represent the city in
the Common Council or the Board OF
Aldermen. and who. under the law. cam
not get into the race until they sever
their connection with the committee.
VACANCIES TO BE FILLED.
These resignauOns viii be taken np and
received. and 50 is probable that the va
cancies will be- filed. n is not get known
how many OF the committee contemplate
resigning. but it is said that not less than
six will DO so, and viii Immediately an
nounce their candidacy for seats among
the City Fathers.
The regular municipal election this year
falls upon the 26th Of May. and the city
officers and Councilmcn chosen at that
time will be inducted into office on July
1st folowing. IL is suggested that the
primary may be held about the middle
OF April or the first of May. so that such
a long time may not intervene.
Z fc said that rfrgun ANNALS have lonn
made 10 the committee TO delay the pr-
mary by candidates who have not yet an
nounced themselves. and who would not
have "a chance 10 get themselves before
the people IL it was held about March
lst
There is going to be n lively time this
year when The clcCuon comes around and
The Indications seem % be that the oppos-
ing forces will Doe the Good Government
League and IT'S adherents and the advo-
Gates of appropriations for the public
schools. That lin was drawn some
months ago. when the Common Council
refused 20 concur IN the action Of the
Board of Aldermen giving the School
Board sS00o The result. as everybody
knows was that the teachers gave their
time gratis in order that schools might
not Dc closed.
INDEBTED TO TEACHERS
The city. therefore. really owes these
foachors seooo end 90 is said th9t NJ the
meeting ~ the Council. when the
budget FOR 1898 comes up for considera-
tiou. o. strong effort will be made hv
some Of those gentlemen who voted
against th. appropriat on and encom-
pas4t fits defeat originally 20 have that
am0uNt inserted I'm the budget. As tho
election Is so close al hand their efforts
may meet with success.
10 IS the general opinion that the men
who come before the people this year
on the platform which demands adequate
school facilities. street Improvement. and
abundant provision for sanitary better
meut viii he the men who will win the
fight against all comcrs That Is under
stood 10 bo the band-wagon which viii
lead the procession. and there is going
10 be a lively scramble for seats