Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-19
NEW ROAD TO RICHMOND
Prospects for Line to Parallel the E.,
F. and P.
Bill Passed to Charter the BallstOn
COmpany-POlitical GOssiD in
Old Dominion.

| RICHMOND, Va. February IS, 1900.
| The latest development in the fight for
charter to build new railroad from Rich
mond to Washington is that the r., F. and
P. road can be paraleled under existing
charters and without the state selling It's
holdings in the old road.
The legislature has passed at this ses-
sion bill 10 charter the Ballston Railroad
Company. This act authorizes the con-
struction of road from some point on the
Potomac river in Alexandria county
through the counties of Fairfax and Prince
William to Stafford 1t is said that there
Is an old charter in existence which could
be utilized in order to build a road from
stafford to Richmond and by the use OF
these two charters a line from here to the
national capital could be constructed.
| The bill to incorporate the Richmond and
Washington Air Line Company will I'M
queStionably pass the general assembly.
but II is possible that the guarantee bond
Will be made so heavy that the corporators
will decline to accept 1t and take chances
on building the road by acquiring the char
ter OF Ballston and the other one referred
to-
BarksdaIe Bill May Pass.
1t is practically settled now that the
Barks,iaie bill to prevent the corrupt use
of money in elections will pass the senate.
When this measure was introduced 1t was
very much ridiculed by some of the demo-
cratic leaders. Mr. Barksdale on Friday
opened the debate upon the bill, and said
that 1t was designed to prohibit such use
of money in elections as was witnessed in
this state during the campaign of 1896. He
presented the matter in such light that
those who intended to make speeches in
opposition were not willing to reply at
once and by agreement the bill went over
until next "Wednesday. This measure is
modelled after the law in force in Mis-
* m ret onI hat
has letters from several prominent demo-
Gratis in that state which he will read at
the proper time. showing how satisfactor-
lily this law has operated.
Nothwit lst nGing the fact that the demo-
cratic "aurIs more than two weeks ago de-
coed to make the question of calling a
constitutional convention a party issue and
|" submit tie question to the voters on the
fourth Thursday in next May joint res
oluti6n to carry this into effect has not yet
pa: sed either branch of the general assem-
bly, 1t has been held up presumably in or
der that the people of Virginia might eS>
press themselves the subject. There
having been no adverse comment by the
party leaders as TO this movement, the res
olUtion will be passed by both houses next
week. unless in the meantime there should
be developments to cause a change in the
plans.
Republicans Say Nothing.
The republicans have not as yet shown
their hand Their state committee held
largely attended meeting here on Friday
night bet the subject was not mentioned
The republicans will hold their state con-
vention at Norfolk April 10. and at that
time they will take position concerning the
proposed convention. There is little doubt
that they will fight the proposition of the
democrats.
While the time for the election of gov
ernor is more than year off, the contest
for the nomination has opened up in earn
est Representative Swanson. State Chair
man Ellyson. Lieut.. Gov Echols and At
torney General Montague are full-fedged
candidates Mr.. Swanson has the powerful
support of Senator Martin, and backing
him are a number Of other influential party
m I including Speaker saunders of the
house of delegates. Should Mr.. Swanson
get the nomination Speaker Saunders VIA
probably succeed him in Congress. 1t is
rather a remarkable coincidence that dur
ing the last twenty years no man has been
nominated by the democrats for governor
of Virginia who has not been defeated one
or more times for that honor. Fitz Lee
was twice defeated before his ambition was
satisfied The late Philip w. Mckinney
was twice a candidate before the honor
came to him. Charles T OFerrall was un-
successful in one convention before placed
at the head of the ticket. Gov. Tyler was
twice defeated. OF the candidates now in
the field Mr.. Ellyson is the only one who
has aspired to the office and been beaten
His friends argue, therefore. that accord
ing to precedent the honor should come to
him.
Exciting Contest Expected
This contest Will in all probability be one
of the most exciting that has been wilt
messed in Virginia In a number of years.
Messrs. Swanson and Montague will prob
ably go on the stump and present their
claims for the nomination. Messrs Ely
son and Echos will hardly follow their ex-
ample. Neither is what might be called
good stump speaker. They will probably
devote their attention altogether to organ
ization- Mr.. Montague and Mr. Swanson
are both from the same county but 1t is
said that the attorney general now claims
Richmond as his home, having resided here
Tor nearly four years Should he run as a
candidate from Richmond this will serious
r nhn