Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-30
SURPRISE AT PRENTlSS
WITHDRAWING FROM CONTEST FOR
VIRGINIA JUDGEsHIP.
His Action Does Not Clear Up the
situation to Any Great
Extent.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
RICHMOND. Va. January %, 1901.
The withdrawal, last night, in the demo-
cratic caucus of the name Of Judge Prent1ss
from the race for the supreme court Judge
ship created much surprise. Judge Prentiss
had made good. clean fight. and had gained
strength steadily every day. He showed UP
we'll in the caucus, and nobody was pre-
pared for the announcement that he would
withdraw Senator Maynard, in his speech
announcing the withdrawal Of Judge Prem
tiss' name, stated that the friends Of Judge
Prentiss thought they could see that he
would not win the race. and hence the
withdrawal.
This action on the part of Judge Prentiss'
friends changed the conditions in the fight,
which win now be a red-hot one. The eau
Gus saw early in the night that there would
be fight to finish. The adjournment
until Thursday night is not thought to be
solution of the problem. though some of the
wiseacres said last night an election would
be forced. 1t seemed to develop In the eau
Gus that there was combination OF Judges
Mann's and Phlegar's forces to prevent
Judge Whittle from being elected. though
he has shown up as the strongest cand1-
date in the caucus ever since 1t opened
Judge Manns canvass is directed largely
by the friends of United States Senator
Thomas s. Martin Congressman Swanson.
however, of the fifth district, though a
strong and influential political friend or
Senator Martin. is leading the hight Tor
Judge Whittle. Swanson says himself he Is
Martins choice for the next governor
1t is thought the lines upon which the
legislature will consider the holding OF the
constitutional convention Will be first re-
ported to the caucus by the committee, ana
the caucus will then consider the measures
proposed before the legislature ITSELF taxes
them up
This is the first session for many years at
which there have been no efforts to amend
the election law of the state. The reason
for this Is clear. The constitutional conven-
ton. which win be held shortly after the
adjournment of the legislature, will devote
its chief work toward DISTINGUISHING the
negro voters in the state, and this will be
done through that means.
The inquiry into the advisabiHty Of SELL
ing the interest of the state in the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail-
road has caused considerable comment.
Senator Morris bill to that effect has no
connection whatever with the building of
the proposed Richmond and Washington
Ar Line railway an extension of the
Seaboard Air Line by the Seaboard people.
The Richmond and Washington Air Line
was granted charter by the last legiSla-
ture to construct the new line, and put I'D
a bond OF $4,000 that 1t would commence
the road in eighteen months and finish it in
three years. 1t further put up bond
of $4,000 as a guarantee that the states in
terest In the X. F. and P, then worth
about $15o.GO, would bring $500 a share
when sold. The legislature then passed an
act providing for the sale on these condi-
tons. and next February is the time for
the sinking fund commissioners 20 adver-
tise for bids Whether he Richmond and
Washington railway will be built in the
three years Is not thought probable here
but the Seaboard Air Line people will prob
ably claim that they have already COM
menced the road by pointing to the fact
that they have built the line to Acca sta
ton. two miles above Richmond where it
makes Its connection with the K. F. and p,
and 1t is understood this will be accepted
as satisfactory to the legislature that the
road has been started within the eighteen
months, as prescribed in the charter The
question is now being asked that If the
washington line Is not built within the
three years, or next February a year will
the guarantee Of $I5 900 be refunded
If the states interest in the R. F. and
2. is sold 1t will bring nice revenue into
the treasury. as the stock is now quoted at
pa and 240.