Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-10-28
The Next Legislature.

Washington, ID. U, Star says:
1t is estimated that about one-third
of the regularly nominated Demo-
Gratis will have opposition. The Re-
publicans have made not more than
half a dozen nominations. Most of
those opposing the Democrats are In
dependents, and in nearly every case
they claim to be better party men
than the nominees.
The vote in this State will be less,
probably, than half of the registrar
ton. There has not been in a great
many years such g. lack Of interest in
che general result. The few stump
speakers who have been sent out
have found it difficult to get audi
ences of respectable size. and still
more difficult to interest the voters in
the issues.
All of the big contests are settled
in advance. Senator Martin will
have three fourthS of the votes in the
Democratic caucus, though Governor
Tyler will not now admit it. In fact,
he claims he has fighting chance to
win out. Speaker Ryan of the house
of delegates will be beaten by E. w.
Saunders of Franklin county by
practically the same vote that will
re- elect Senator Martin. Mr. Ryan.
who is from Loudoun county, is the
oldest mem Der in the house in point
of service. He was first elected in
1888, and succeeded Judge r. 81.
Cardwell as speaker, when the latter
was elected to the bench of the court
of appeals. Mr.. Saunders was badly
beaten by Mr.. Ryan two years ago.
Mr.. Ryan's downfall will be due to
the fact that he does not speak the
Language Of the tribe" In other
words, he is not Martin man, and
Mr. Saunders is. Mr.. Saunders has
been a member for more than ten
years, and has been conspicuous
leader on the floor. He Is the ablest
debater in the house, and is a very
accomplished parliamentarian.
Most of the legislative and state
officers will be unopposed. Henry I.
Wickham will be again honored with
the office of president pro tenn OF the
senate, and Joseph Button, the secre
tary of the state Democratic COM
mittee, will have no one to run
against him Frank B. Watkins OF
Charlotte, sergeant at-arms OF the
senate. will be reelected, but DR.. ~.
C. Num-, of West Point, the door
keeper of the senate, will have oppo>
sition.
There is q pretty fight on for the
clerkship of the house. This office
was filled for about thirty years by
the late Col. John Bell Bigger. When
the colonel died Gov. Tyler appointed
Thomas H Bigger. the colonel's son,
to the office. Young Bigger is run
ming. He has opposition in Judge
w. s. Gooch, of Louisa, William
Henry Mann, of Petersburg, formerly
assistant district attorney, who had
to resign in 1896 on account of too
active participation in politics; John
L. Loving. the mayor Of Pulaski;
Clarence Il. Boykin. Richmond
newspaper man, and John w. Viii
liams, commemorative attorney OF
Giles county. Most of the candidates
are making q canvass of the state.
The clerk of the house is also keeper
of the rolls of Virginia. 1t is one OF
the best state offices
Col. Morton Marye, of Alexandria,
who was elected auditor of public
accounts in 1888, has been re elected
every two years since that time. He
is not only a model officer, but he
left leg upon the battlefield. No
one for several years has ventured to
run against him. He will, as usual,
have clear field.
Virginia is fortunate in having
good officials, and state offices have
been singularly free from scandal.
Treasurer A. w. Hartman, Second
Auditor Josiah Ryland, Jr., Secre-
tary OF the Commonwealth Joseph
II. Lawless and superintendent of the
Penitentiary George NJ. Helms have
no opposition up to this time. Regis
ter of the Land Office j. w. Richard
son has clear field, but the general
assembly two years ago tried to
abolish this position. The court of
appeals decided that the bill was de-
fective, and Richardson has held on.
The legislature will doubtless abolish
the position. The only state officer
who has opposition is the superlnten-
dent of public printing, j. Il. O'Ban
non. l.. E. Lookabill, of Roanoke. is
running against him: Capt. O'Ban-
non has filled the office for twelve
years.
The railroad commissioner and
superintendent of public instruction
have two years longer to serve. The
governor appoints the adjutant gen
eral commissioner of agriculture and
commissioner of labor.
There are several judgeships to be
filled. a reform will be started at
this session. 1t has been the practice
of the general assembly for some
years to elect it's members to the
bench in most cases whenever they
aspired. The people have been cry.
ing out against this evil, and it will
not be an easy matter hereafter for a
legislator to be elected by his COL
leagues to any office.