The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-01
POLITICS in
OLD VIRGINIA
Norfolk on Eve ola Revolt.
Against Old Regime.
NEW MAN FOR MAYOR.
Or. James G. Riddick Develops I'm
expected Strength.
CASE OF TOO MUCH JOHNSTON.
A Bolt in the Warren County Rep ub-
lican Convention-The Powhatan
Republicans Take Action i'll
Memory of the Late State
Senator Flannasan
Other Conventions.
CASE OF TOO MUCH JOHNSTON.

NORFOLK. VA, March S1.-Special-
A municipa1 political revolution is appar-
emily imminent in Norfolk, and the unex-
pected is seemingly going to happen
The plaUs drawn and specifications pre-
pared by the allied Prohibitionists and
municipal reformers, who, as the Clty
League for Good Government. threatened
some time back to develop a party who
would unhorse the ''old ring favorltes'
so to speak, failed of fruition and died
in the flower.
Tho League could not get candidate
to ,accept the immolatfon offered, ana
when Judge Heath declared that he couio
not spare the time to lead the reform
host. the voice. of the virtuous Waxed
weak. and then those who have "an I'M
preston that it would require evidence to
remove" that the banner of the Goo
Coos could have been had cheap
All this was changed In a tWlnklns,
though. last week, when a banner was
hung on the outer wall which bore the
announcement that Doctor James u.
G,iddick was an aspirant for the, mayoral-
ty of Norfolk.
DOCTOR RTDDICK.
Doctor Riddick, whose candidacy was
llooted a. by political owls, went up to
ths present Mayor, Hon. G. Brooks John
ston, and snlacked his shield with the
butt of a lance, showing no fear aud ask
ing no favor. The politicians looked on
the doughty Doctor as a sure enough
Don Quixote, and looked under the bed
for Pancho Panza, his Squire. The real
astute ones, however, said that Dr.. Kid
dick was a strong man. and gave his
candidacy some attention.
The Johnston lieutenants thought the
.heelers" wers exaggeratirg the Doctor s
drawing powers, with view to securing
more fruit Of the limb, as it were, and
gave the "heelers'' the ha! ha!
Newer were lieutenants more mistaken,
as it now appears.
It looks to-day as though all the enc
mics Mayor Johnston has made in his
long and successful career in business
and in politics are allied agninst him, and
he seems to have inherited all the quar-
rels all the members of his administra-
ton have opened.
MAYOR JOHNSTON.
He, one of the most progressive may
or's Norfolk has ever had; one who has
done more to improve the city than one
ever did; one of the ableSt of Norfolk
business men. advised by the most as
tute politicians herea bouts. is, from all
appearances. in imminent danger OF be-
ing beaten by i professional gentleman
of high character, who has no knowledge
of politics, has not put up cent, so far
as known and does not represent any
faction. apparently.
Men of standing in Norfolk, who never
saw DR.. Riddick. and know nothing of
him. except that they have heard of his
excelNint character, say that they are
going to vote for him.
SOME OBJECTIONS
Asked why they are going to oppose
the present administration, they say that
it is case of too much Johnston
Others say that they are going to vote
for DR.. Riddick because they don't like
"Alf. Thom." others because they don't
like Tom Wilcox but the main com
phint against the Mayor appears to be
that he, while Mayor, accepted the vice
presidency of Mr.. Lancaster Williams.
street railway and illuminating enter
prises.
The tide may turn again before May
but nine men out of ten here believes a
revolt is on, and the present city admins
tration will be changed entirely.
The arbitrary and ill-judged actions Of
the Democratic politicians hereabouts
are really responsible.