The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-10

land a majority Of about oeppV Inc
triumphant election of Governor Q Ferrall
and an almost solidly Democratic Legs
lature followed in 1888, and in each sue
ceeding contest under Mr.. Eilyson
splendid management, the party mas
marched from victory unto victory,
oIecting Democratic Governors, congress
men and legislators by ever increasing
II ajorities.
TRAINS IN THE YOUNGER CLASS.
Hon. Joseph 7. Lawiess, whose 1rlends
throughout the State are pressing MS
claims for the chairmanshlp, belongs TO
the younger element OF the party, oul
he is very popular, and is recognized as
= campaign manager of no mean ability
Mr.. I.awless was warmly urged by ms
friends to stand for the position before
the Norfolk Convention last year but
he finally declined, and announced that he
would be a candidate before the coming
convention.
Mr. Lawless. although active in the
local politics i'll Portsmouth and Norfolk
county for a long time, made his first
winning stroke as an organizer when as
Governor O'Ferrall's campaign manager
Tor the Second District, in 1898, he brought
aIp a solid delegation from Tidewater for
the Valley candidate He was then
member of the State Senate and, having
that laudabie ambition which fires the
hearts of so many young Nirginians to
hold high Office, he announced his candi-
dacy for Secretary eff the Commonwealth
and defeated Hon. Henry w. Fluurnoy,
an old war-llorse, by handsome majority
in the caucus. He has been reelected
by each succeeding Legislature without
opposition.
Mr.. Lawless is a man of fine address,
is a most agreeable companion, and has
strong friends all over the State, who
are working hard for his success. He
is a lawyer of recognized ability, and is
a close student OF governmental affairs.
There are few men in the State who
litp in closer touch with what is going
ON in politics than AR. Lawless, and he
is often called upon to help his friends
when they get in deep water, and he
never fails to respond checrfully and
substantially.
When Congressman M-ynard gave the
distress Signal last fall Mr.. Lawless
rushed to his rescue, and it is said that
but for his splendid mana cement of the
contest some other candidate would have
received the nomination and been the
representative from the Second District
III the tifty-SeVenth Congress.
THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED.
OF course, there are always reasons. and
often strong ones, advanced for the can
didacy Of men for office
The contest for the chairmanshiD fur
nisles no exception. The friends of Mr.
Elyson are banking on his long and Faith
full party record. and the fact that while
he has held the position of chairman.
there have been 10 party reverses: and
they say it would look like ,ngratitude to
turn him down when he is asking no adj
ditonaI ilonors. They contend that he
has friends all over the State, who would
have gladly enlisted Under his banner for
governor and that all these and more
viii he found helping him for recollection
TO the craftsmanship.
AIR. Lawless' friends, on the other hand,
are putting forth the claim that greater
activity is reeded in the management Of
the party's affairs, and that it is time
q man younger and perhaps more active
were put at the helm.
The say n view of probable reforms in
the matter of suffrage. which they expect
The Constitutional Convention to make.
pew blood should be brought into the
management Of Democracy's affairs. and
that their man measures up to all the re-
quirements and would make an ideal
chairman. The fight is going to be very
pretty one. and there are few unbiased
politicians who vii IRISH their judgment on
the result One thing is very certain, and
that is that whoever shall win out, the af-
fairs of The party will not suffer. for no.
man questions the ability of either of
The candidates for a moment.