Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
THE COMING PRIMARY
THREE WEEKS OFF, AND IN
TEREsT DAILY INCREASES.
Big MEETING OF CLAY-WARD ACTIYES
The Bad Weather Did Not Keep
Plan I'm DetniI-Monroe Ward DEM
ocrnts.

Interest In tho coming primary for the
nomination Of those who are to govern
the city for the next two years. and those
who are TO attend TO the business Of
the corporation I'm the various offices to
which they aspire, Is daily increasing, and
from now until sunset OF March 18th the
campaign VIII be warmly waged. In the
last week the list Of candidates has been
increased by the addition OF several
names. and the gentlemen who have just
gotten in the race will endeavor, by the
exercise OF their best energies, to over
take those who have thus had running
start. The Good Government League
will increase this number in a few days.
For the salaried offices any number Of
good men have announced their candi-
dacy, and not one of the lncumbents
whose term expires this year is without
an opponent The candidates are, how
ever, conducting very friendly cam
paign, and there is an entire absence Of
mud-slinging among them.
CLAY WARD ACTIvES.
One Of the largest audiences that has
assembled at any of the club meetings
thus far in the campaign gathered In
Belvidere Hall last night 10 hear the seve-
raj candidates address the Clay Ward
Actives. And the voters who attended
with the expectation of hearing from
goodly number of those who are asking
the SURFACES of the people were not at
all disappointed. The inclement wea-
ther did not keep them within their own
comfortable homes, and judging from the
'siza of the audience, the members of the
latter were equally as willing to brave
the elements and lend their ears to the
arguments put forth for their enlighten-
ment
The club was called to order by Presi-
dent f. c. Walthall. and Secretary Saun-
ders was at his desk, as usual. Quite a
number of candidates were heard from,
commencing with those who aspire to
seats in the Common Council from Clay
Ward. They were followed by those who
wish TO become aldermen, and then by
candidates for the offices of Mayor. Com
missioner of the Revenue, Sheriff. City
Sergeant City Collector, and High Con-
stable. Mayor Taylor impressed the body !
with the fact that II was necessary TO !
elect good men to the Council, as under |
the existing laws the Mayor was almost |
figurehead. He thought measure |
should not be allowed to pass over the |
Mayors veto without q. two thirds vote.
Mr.. E. c. FollSes made quite hit by /
declaring that others were endeavoring |
to secure the sympathy of the voters by |
declaring that they 0he candidates) had |
families to support. The young legisla !
tor promised If he was given the Office |
he desired, he would get him family, /
so that on that score his opponents could |
not claim in the future to have the best |
of him.
WANT THE PLAN CHANGED.
The plan adopted by the City Commit
tee for the primary is practically the
same one that has obtained for several
years. The polls will be open from G
A. NJ. to p. NJ, and there win be two
judges and two clerks at each precinct.
The Monroe Ward Democratic Club has
adopted a resolution memorializing the
City Committee to consent to a revision
of the primary plan. so as to permit of
the members of that committee being
elected by ward meetings, instead of
as at present. After other "whereases,"
the resolution reads:
Whereas, the men who are most anxious
for membership on the committee are not
always best fitted therefor; and
Whereas the plan Of choosing commit
tee at the same election in which candi-
dates for the city offices are nominated
Is confusing to the voters in that ii adds
more names to a list OF candidates al
ready long; and
Whereas the committees which have
been chosen by ward meetings compared
with those chosen by prima-
-ies: and
Whereas II is believed that many men
who could be extremely useful to the
party are unwilling to subject themselves
10 the worry, loss OF time, and expense
,ntailed on them as candidates at a pri-
mary election would consent to be cam
lidates at ward meeting: therefore,
be II
Resolved. by the Monroe Ward Demo-
ratio Club. That 1t will be best for the
interests Of the party in this city to elect
he successors of the present committee
n ward meetings, and that such ward
meetings be held subsequent to April !,