The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-05
HON. ], T. ELLYS0N
DECLINES TO run
He Will Not Stand for
Governor.
HAS STRONG REASONS.
Can Not Give Proper lime to
Canvass.
A FAITHFUL PARTY SERVANT.
Had Many Eiattcring Assurances of
SuDnort b;1t Private Business En-
sa.cn1ents Make it impos-
siblc for Him to Give
Proper Attention
to His Fight.

Hon. J. Taylor Illyson will nos oe
candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Governor before the State convention
next summer.
He reached this conclusion yesterday al
ternoon, after having maturely considereI
the matter in its every phase, and gave
out a statement formally setting forth
his reasons for not allowing the use OIL
his name in connection with the honor
When called upon last night and asked
concerning his declnat!on TO stand lor
the Governorship Mr. Ellyson sad:
4 have decided not to be a candidate
for the nomination for Governor before
the next Democratic State Convention
have been constrained TO reach this con-
clusion by the pressure of important bus
; mess engagements which will so fully
occupy my time during the next six
months as to make it impracticable foc
me to give such attention TO canvass
as would be just either to myself or TO
my friends
This announcement Will come not only
as d surprise. but as u disappointment to
the many friends of Mr.. Ellyson through
out the State who had hoped TO have
the pleasl~e of giving him their support
for the honor this time: for although he
had never formally announced his can
didacy, il waS' the general impression that
his name would go before the convention.
Indeed, while he had made no canvass for
votes he had been for many months III
almost constant receipt of letters and
personal assurances from friends and adj
mirers pledging him their loyal support,
and wishing him success in his aspirii-
tons
For all these the distinguished DEM
ocratic leader feels profoundly grateful,
but 70: the reasons stated above. ne
deems it but just to his friends. that his
intentions be made known to them thus
early.
a FAITHFUL. PARTY SERVANT.
There are few Democratic leaders in the
State who have behind them such a, long,
urbroken record for faithful party ser
vice. c.leerfuly rendered, as Mr. Ely
son.
For the past ten years he has been the
very able and efficient chairman OF the
Democratic Executive and State Central
Committees. and in nearly every battle
he has; succeeded by his splendid manage
ment in carrying the State by an increased
| majority. In 1896 Mr.. Ellyson declined
reelection at the Iands of the Staunton
Convention, after many urgent appeals
from the most distinguished party leaders
III the State. The convention finally adj
journed without electing Il chairman. re-
ferring the question TO the State Commit
tee When the committee met later on
in this city, Mr.. Elyson remained away
from the meeting. and again insisted that
ne thought it might be better to elect
some one who had been original &c
vocate OF the free and unlimited coinage
of silver. but the entire committee again
urgently requested him TO accept, which
he finally did, and after one of the hottest
! campaigns ever waged in the State, rolled
! up nearly 20.0G0 majority for Bryan and
| Stevenson. Mr.. Ellyson was a promi-
nent candidate for the Democratic nom!-
| nation for Governor in 1897, though upon
finding that Major Tyler-who had twice
| before been an aSpirant-had Il majority
of the delegates. gracefully accepted the
| result and made a handsome speech
seconding the nomination of his success
| full opponent and declining to allow his
| own claims 10 be laid before the body.
AGAIN ELECTED CHAIRMAN.
The convention again unanimously elect
/ ed Mr. E,llyson chairman OF The State
| Committee, and he strengthened the
party's confidence in mis- sturdy fealty 10
principle by the following manly decla-
ration before that body: Il wish in. all
heartiness to say that | place myself un-
reseryedy IN the hands of this cOnven-
| ton, with tae assurance that l am as
ready to do battle for the ticket which
! you have nominated as had | been your
| ne nLminee for Governor and he won the
! urstintetl admiration of all by the spleu-
| did manner in which he execu-ed that
| pledge, in CALAMITY leading the party to
| another handsome triumph at the polls.
| The great campaign of 1900, in wtlch Mr..
| EIIyson led all the Democratic nominee.
for Congress to victory and gave the
State 10 Bryan by an increased majority
of about 10000 over that of 1886. is too
fresh in the minds Of the people TO need
any comment.
Mr. Ellyson enjoys the confidence of a
wide circle of personal and political
friends all over the State, and has many
times been given positions of honor and
trust by the people of his native city.
He was for eight years prominent
member of the Common Council, and
was for two terms its very able presd-
ing officer. He served four years with
much distinction in the State Senate from
Richmond and Henrico. and was after
wards three times elected mayor OF Rich
mond, declining 10 be u candidate for re-
election five or six years ago. He has
occupied many other prominent positions
in public life. and his course was always
! marked by conservatism and strict fidelity
to his people.
THE RACE WILL BE HOT
The declination of NJ. E,llyson to be a
candidate for the Governorship will add
new life to the struggle between the
candidates now in the field and the battle
will. from present indications, be one of
the hottest ever wased in the State. The
leading aspirants are undoubtedly Attor-
new General Montague and Congressman
swanson, OF the Fifth District. The two
,-,upo leaders are expected to have n
warm race for the delegates from this
city and district. and in fact, in all sec
tions of the State, save in the Valley and
the Norfolk section. each Of which them
selves have strong candidates In aIessrs.
Echols and Marshall
Each stage of the fight will be watched