Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-10-06
INSULT TO INJURY
Was Added BY State Democratic
Committee in Settling Contests
HOT TIME IN CHARLOTTE.

Five Contests Passed Upon and De-
cided in Favor Of Regular Nomi-
neutrality-suspicious. Given Cold
Sh0ulder--N0tes of the Meeting.
The Independent legislative cal di-
Idates throughout the State received
Icold comfort at the hands of the Dem
locratic State Committee last week.
| All of the contests adjudicated by that
body were decided in favor of the reg
ulars. or the candidates who favor
Martin for the Senate. It Is true that
in the Isle of Wight and Shenandoah
Icontests, the first of which involved
the legality of the Senatorial and
the House, and the latter the House
nominations. the independents deter
mined to submit their cases to the
committee. Like the Charlotte con-
test, these were divided n favor of
the nominees recognized by the old
party machinery of their respective
counties.
The most interesting contest was
that of Senator Boykin, of Isle of
Wight, against DIR. Stands, who op-
posed the former for denomination.
Isle of Wight is the home county OF
Col. Day, Senator Martins father-in-
law. It was conceded from the OPEN
ing of the campaign that Senator Boy
kin and Mr.. Martins other friends
would easily win down there. When
the day of the mass meeting came
around. however, the Tyler people
turned out IN force, and. they claimed,
developed majority. The contest has
therefore attracted very general at
| tentiOn.
| The next in interest was the House
contest in Charlotte, where Dl. Priddy
was opposed by Mr.. Rice. DR.. Priddy
was a member of the House at the ses-
sion in which Mr.. Martin defeated
Gen. Lee, and supported the former.
The fight up there has been hot one.
During the discussion before the COM
mittee in this case. Mr.. Bouldin made
a statement touching the convention
held at the courthouse, at which the
election of Mr.. Monroe to the county
craftsmanship was claimed to have
been made. He said, in reply to
question, that he considered DIR. Prid-
dy the only nominee, but Congressman
Swanson elected the information that
it was remotely possible thad another
meeting might hereafter be called to
put up a nominee other than DR.. Prid-
dy. The speaker predicted that events
would take place hereafter in Charlotte
county which would cause the Danville
riot to pale into insigni6cance if the
committee drove the real Democracy
from the party.
| In the Shenandoah case. the inde-
pendents refused to submit their
claims, and Mr.. Feller, the candidate
for the House recognized by the reg
ulars, was accepted by the committee.
1t Is possible that the action of the
committee in the Isle of Wight and
Charlotte cases will meet with opp0si
ton by the followers of the independ-
ents in those counties.
The meeting OF the committee was
not largely attended by the members,
as quite number of interested politi-
clans held proxies. Conspicuous
among those present were Senators
Daniel and Martin. The former is
not member of the body, but the lat
ter is. They occupied seats in retir-
ed part of the committee room.
Governor Tyler does not for a mo-
ment yield to the idea that he is de-
feated for the Senatorship. Major
Heth Tyler, his son and manager, who
speaks for him, claims that his father
will have fifty votes in the caucus at
the opening. 1t is stated with equal
positiveness that several men who haye
been instructed for Martin have said
if their votes will elect Tyler he can
have them. They did not believe,
these several candidates are quoted as
saying, that the conventions which
nominated them reflected the senti-
ment of the people.
State Senator George w. Morris, of
Albemarle. fears that the action of the
committee will not result in a final set.
tlement of the trouble in various To-
Icallties.
He thinks that no further difficulty
will be experienced in Surry or in the
Lancaster contest, but regards the
lsplits in Charlotte, Shenandoah and
Isle of Wight as too serious to be set
tiled.
| 1.-The fight in Charlotte" he said,
Twill be close one. DIR. A. 8. Priddy.
the regular nominee, is popular man,
but has bitter enemies"
| Senator Morris thinks that the
charges so freely made that the State
committee is being run in the interest
of Senator Martin have greatly lessen
ed it's efficiency as an arbiter in these
cases.
State Chairman Ellyson preferred to
say nothing in reference to the Char
lotte split, but hoped it would be heal.
ed before the election.
| Governor Tyler would express nc
opinion upon the action of the com.
mittee. II am simply saying nothing,
but saving wood, said the Governor.
There are number of surprises in
store for the other side, which will
make themselves apparent when the
lTapis1ature assemblies Trua have