New-York tribune., 1901-07-29
VIRGINIA'S BUSY YEAR.
EXCEPTIONAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN
THE OLD OMNION-PROBABLE
CANDIDATES.

Richmond Va, July 81 (SpeciaD.-Ths Is the
most interesting year in politics in Virginia that
has been experienced in long time.
1t SO happens that more important events OF d
political character have been crowded into the
first twelve months of the century than IN
any other year in the history of the common
wealth, and interest in politics has run higher
than since the memorable readjuster days when
the late Senator Malone was the leading figure
in the public affairs of the STATE.
Two sessions of the General Assembly, an
election of county officers. the election of dele
gates to and the holding of a constitutional con-
vention, an exciting canvass for Governor ana
the choosing OF members of the legislature COM
bine to make a big record for one year. But
that is the Old Dominions record for 1901
Added to this may possibly be vote at the
November election the ratification of the ne"
constitution but 1t is pretty certain that the
convention now in session will not conclude its
labors in time for the result of its work to DE
submitted this fall The convention has been IN
session six weeks, and not clause of the new
instrument has been even framed. Only one or
two committees have submitted reports of
partial character, and the Bill of Rights has not
yet been agreed Several amendments have
been proposed, and there will be big fight over
them. as many members, especially the older
Cnes, desire the Mason Bill of Rights readopted,
only eliminating from the present one the feat
ures incorporated by the Underwood convention
which framed the constitution that is now being
revised.
THE DEMOCRATIC SLATE"
The Democratic machine. of which Senator
Thomas S Martin is the recognized head. will
receive severe setback in the nomination OF
Attorney General Andrew Jackson Montague for
Governor. The convention meets in Norfolk on
August IA. and the antl-machine people will
have absolute control of 1t. Montague has
enough delegates to nominate him on the first
ballot. and with about as many to spare as Con-
grossman Claude A Swanson has altogether
There were four candidates for the nomination.
but Colonel R. C. Marshall got few delegates
and Iieutenant-Governor EChois withdrew a
month ago In order that friend from his dis
trict might enter the for Attorney General
The fight as everybody realized from the start
was between Mr.. Montague and Congressman
Swanson who was backed by Senator Martin
and the. power of the machine or party organi-
zation. Mr.. Montague made the machine ana
Senator Martins active part in the campaign
the leading issue and on II. The brilliant
young Acknowledgement was very aggressive un-
til he got the people thoroughly aroused. and the
Joint debate between him and Mr swanson VIII
long be looked back notable feature In
Virginia politics. Swanson IS a fine campaigneT
courageous. outspoken and magnetc--and
made a splendid canvass. but the tide was
against the principles and practices for which
he was recognized as standing and he went
down.
POPULAR PRINCIPLES TRIUMPH
The results not much defeat for the pop
ular young Congressman as 1t is a triumph FOR
popular principles in government 1t is notice
anti fnr1f 90
posed in large measure the State convention
will likewise be- OF men no were moving spirits
in the May conference OF two years ago which
stood for popular nominations and election OF
officers including United States Senators. and
resulted in Governor Tyler coming out against
Senator Martin. II is expected that the Norfolk
convention VIII declare for uniform primaries
for party nominations and that new state
committee will be chosen there which VIII carry
this into effect.
The convention will be remarkable for the
number OF new faces and new leaders who will
be seen.
Colonel Joseph E. Willard. Of Fairfax. the
richest man in Virginia. and an ex-mernber of
the legislature. will be nominated for I.euten-
ant Governor. There is ed hot fight FOR At
torney- General with full field. There are five
candidates. and they are making things lively.
State Senator John Jeffries OF Culpeper. IS the
leading candidate, having been working for the
place for two years. He claims enough votes TO
nominate him on the first ballot His opponents
are Major William A. Anderson. OF Kockbridee
Judge William Gordon Robertson. OF Roanoke
Captain r. S. Parks of Page and Judge Samuel
w. Williams. of Wythe. Major Anderson. Judge
Robertson and Captain Parks are all members
Of the constitutional convention.
THE REPUBLICAN TICKET
The Virginia Republicans will make a much
more vigorous and determined fight this year
then they have done In the last twenty years
and with more hope Of success. The public de
mand for honest elections. the opposition TO the
new constitution. which it is known will dis
franchise large percentage OF the Republican
voters. and the growing popularity of the
currency questions counted on to give
strength to the ticket The convention will
be held In Roanoke on August "a 1t
Is likely that either Colonel ]. Hampden Hoge
General James A. Walker or Judge /. L. Lewis
of this city. will be nominated for Governor
General Thomas l.. Rosser, Captain Warren S
Lurty and ex-Congressman Jacob Yost are also
talked of. Most of the delegates thus far
elected and instructed are for Colonel Hoge and
the indications seem TO be that he viii get the
nomination. Robert William Blair of Wythe-
Vile. will probably be named for Lieutenant
Governor. and either Captain Lurty or ex-Con-
gresham r. T. Thorp for Attorney-CiencraI
With Hoge pitted against Montague the cam
paign would be watched with interest Both
lln1s