The evening times., 1899-07-31
THE T1oHr IN v1Ra1N1A..
The Senatorial Battle Embitters Ii
Friends of Martin and Tyler,

49,
Friends of Martin and Tyler.
Richmond. Va. July 31.-Not for years
has Virginia been so stirred by political
campaign as by that between United States
Senator Thomas 8. Martin and Gov. J.
Hoge Tyler over the succession to the seat
of the former. The campaign guns were
touched of last week. though the legisla-
ture does not meet until December. It
promises to be the bitterest fight that ever
took place In Virginia since that memoir
able struggle for the gubernatorial chair
between Mckinney and Malone. In every
county there will be exceedingly spirited
political meetings. Thousands of leading
citizens have manifested keen personal
interest in the fight, and the result is look
ed forward to with feeling akin to genu-
inc anxiety.
Mr.. Martin represents practically only
himself. but he has most powerful or
ganization behind him, which reaches out
and touches every part of the State, and
is equipped in the very best shape for a
strong fight.
On the other hand, Governor Tyler is the
ayowed Candidate of the Senatorial Re-
form League movement, which has for its
primary principle the election OF United
States Senators by the direct vote of the
people. The movement is the outgrowth
of convention of more than 1000 repre-
sentative men, some of them OF command
ing prominence and Governor Tyler has a
large following, especially in the south
western part OF Virginia. whence he comes.
But his forces are scattered, and not at
all well organized.
humorous feature of the situation is
the fact that Governor Tyler looks upon
the campaign with serene confidence. He
Is thoroughly enthusiastic, and believes
firmly that he will win.
Representative Jones made a savage at
tack on Senator Martins record last Mon
day. when he opened the campaign at
Houston. Va, in his speech to an immense
crowd He made the charge that Senator
Martin was known in the Senate only as a
lobbyist and an agent for railroads; that
he had heard Republican Senators assail
Virginia, but had never opened his mouth
in reply; that census supervisors were aD-
pointed only in those districts known to be
favorable to Senator Martin for reelection:
that he had once voted for silver, then for
gold, and that nobody knew how he stood
on the currency question. He also charged
Senator Martin with cowardice during the
civil war
Lawyer Green. who replied In Martins
defence, was equally aggressive. He
charged that Tyler had supported Martin
over General Fitzhugh Lee in the campaign
for Senator six years ago, and that if
Martin was good enough to use in defeat
ing General Lee he was good enough to
use to beat Tyler himself. Mr.. Green
continued:
THE governor has used his influence as
the head OF the Virginia volunteers during
the Spanish war to get one Of his sons ap-
pointed paymaster in the army, and he now
has another son, who. | understand, he
wishes to make king of the Philippine ISL
ands."
People who know the temper Of the men
engaged n the campaign say they can
plainly see trouble ahead. 1t is believed
that there will be a number of serious
personal alterations before the fight is
over. Already many are asking. IF the
canvass opens with such bitterness and
harshness as it did last Monday what will
be the condition of affairs before it
closes?"
Governor Tyiers enemies are lying in
ambush in various places throughout the
State, prepared TO strike when the proper
time comes. He was an a-free-silver
man when inducted into Office a year go,
and promptly started in to make free silver
his standard after election to Office, turn
ing out a numDer OF men from tne oiiiclai
boards and State offices and supplying
their places with extreme free-silyer ad-
vocates.
The principle of the election OF United
States Senators by a direct vote of the
! people is' exceedingly popular in the State
at large, however, and the charge now
gaining strength in many quarters, that
Senator Martin and his supporters are
making every effort to throttle the voice
OF the people, and are running the State
of Virginia by strong ring of machine
politicians, will be presented with great
force by Congressman ". A. Jones, of the
First dictrict; Attorney General Montague,
John Goode Eppa Hunton, ir., one of the
most prominent lawyers in the State; R.
Waltonb Moore. formerly a candidate for
the United States Senate; W. A. Ander-
son, and experienced stumpers.