Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
FIGHT FOR SENATOR
PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE VIRGINIA
CONTEST is GROWING.
GEN. LEE'S CANDIDACY Is CERTAIN
ITS Reiterated Declaration to That
Effect Last Week Causes Comment
he No Election.
he No Election.

| Interest in the senatorial contest in Vir-
ginia next year has been somewhat quick
oned recently by the relteration by Gene
raj Lee through the Dispatch Of his de-
termination to enter the fight.
Despite General Lees repeated state
ments to the effect that he would be a
candidate, several times recently reports
have been put in circulation that he hal
changed his mind. 1t seems as though
the public seeing how busily he is en-
crossed with other affairs. thinks
cannot possibly get out Of the army anu
back to Virginia in time to take part ii
the fight against Mr.. Martin. General
Lee says he can. and has said it re-
peatedly.
Those who know FitZ Lee cannot doubt
that he means what he says. Ii is A
habit recognized by everybody who knows
him. Whether General Lee has fflrn.s
already at work for him is not known.
Efforts to learn whether any work is
being done at his request have been en-
tirely unsuccessful, his closest friends
here saying they had not yet set to work.
However, his candidacy is being widely
talked over the State, and his friends
stand ready 10 enter the lists when the
signal is given.
SENATOR MARTIN NOT IDLE.
II must not be supposed that Senator
Martin is idle. lie can look after fences
as well as any man in Virginia IN his
quiet. careful way he keeps lookout
tor danger. He is always in nghung
sl. a fFt
in, and he invariably goes IN 10 win.
Old politicians are looking forward with
eager expectancy 10 the contest next
fan. 1t will be a battle royal. Aside from
the personality OF the two contestants,
there is the added spice of personal feel
ING. General Lee and Senator Martin
are not warm personal friends. Neither
has ever given public utterance 10 any
expression of personal dislike OF the
other. Their closest friends say they do
not profess mutual admiration.
General Lee has for years known nearly
everybody in Virginia. Within the past
year or two Senator Martin has become
better known. and by the time the Legis-
lature meets next December there VIII
not be many men in Virginia whom he
Will not have met. Their personal ac-
quaintance will greatly aid them in the
fight.
OF course, the contest will be fought out
before the Legislature. General Lee and
senator Martin will know, or will Try
very hard to know, how each member
OF the Legislature stands before the body
convenes. General Lee has said he means
10 canvass every county in the State
before the legislative candidates are
chosen. Senator Martin will, II is be-
lieved. do likewise.
THE WEST VIRGINIA CONTEST.
The contest for which Virginia IS wait
ing will be I'm part duplicated in a few
weeks IN West Virginia. The election of
a successor 10 Senator Faulkner there
viii furnish occasion for some OF the
acutest political working the Mountain
State ever saw. and IL has furnished
10 the country some of the finest poliu-
clans. as well as two or three OF the
hottest senatorial contests. that have ever
been known OF.
Mr 5. III. Flournoy and Mr.. Russell q.
Quarter. prominent lawyers OF Charles
ton. W. Va, were at the office OF the
Register OF the Land ONCE yesterday
examining records and collecting ew
dence in a case now pending in the SUI
preme Court OF West Virginia involving
the title TO a tract OF 10000 acres OF lani
In that State. In discussing the coming
senatorial contest in West Virginia. Mr..
Quarter expressed the opinion that thera
would he no choice.
MAY BE No ELECTION.
"I do not believe the Senate and House
will ever set together" he said. Neither
Democrats nor Republicans will nave
both bodies One or the other mighi
have the Legislature on joint ballot.