The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-08
BIG LEADERS
EXPECTED TO-DAY.
Martin and Swanson Will
Be Here.
A SIGNIFICANT TRIP.
Coming, it is Said, to Organize the
Latter's Fight.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Primary Plan to Be Adopted Tonight
by Lee District Club-Clay Ward Actiyes
Tomorrow Night-TaIk Of Bringing
Out Five More Candidates for
Constitutional Convention.
Political Gossip.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

1t was announced last night by a close
friend of Congressman Swanson that
that gentleman would arrive here from
Washington this evening, accompanied
by Senator Thomas S. Martin, and that
the two leaders would so Immediately
to work, laying plans to capture I big
slice of the Richmond delegation for the
Fifth District Congressman for Governor.
MI Swanson's friend did not know eX-
actly what line of policy would be pur-
sued but from what he said It is be-
Ieved that much work will be done III
the next few days looking to the build
ing up of a strong Swanson organization
It was announced recently that MI
Swanson would have his State head
quarters at Murphy's, and it is aot un-
likely that they will shortly be opened
up
The Swanson people do not want the
precinct plan adopted by which the can
didate receiving the highest number OF
votes in each precinct is alleNed to name
the delegates, and many Of them express
the belief that it viii not be adopted.
They say they will contend for what IS
known as a minority representation, ana
that there are enough doubtful members
on the committee to insure its success.
4 member of the committee in discuss
ing the probable plan last night called
attention to the indignation meeting held
here four years ago, at which a number
of prominent Democrats spoke in denun-
ciation of the minority plan. and he said
he believed it was the wish of the people
of Richmond that a precinct plan be
adoptcd He expressed the belief that
the present committee was disposed to
be conservative, and that a precinct plan
being fair. would be adopted. This is
going to be the bone of contention on
the committee however, and a big fight
is expected when the time comes for
action.
The City Democratic Committee will
hold an important session at Murphy's
Hotel tonight, for the purpose of fixing
a time and place for nominating candi-
dates for the Constitutional Convention
from Richmond.
Chairman James w. Gordon. Mcssrs. r.
Carter Scott and Mr. Hill Montague will
present their resignation as members of
the committee when the body
is called to order. They retire
in order to run for the Constitutional
Convention, and their successors, as well
as that of MIR. James NJ. n. Allen, of
enter the Council, will be chosen.
1t seems highly probable that the fol-
lowing gentlemen will be elected: Mon
roe Ward-Messrs. Russell Bargamin and
J. Smith Brcckenhrough; Clay Ward-W
T. Kimbrough; Marshall Ward-J. w.
Woodward.
The committee Will then proceed tcz
elect a chairman to succeed Mr. Cor.
dom Nice-Chairnan James Is. Doherty
will be chosen by acclamation, and Mr.
Ordway Pu!ler, of Monroe Ward, will
be chosen vice-chairman to succeed Mr..
Doherty.
The committee will then fix a plan for
tie nomination of candidates for the
Constitutional Convention. The plan will
be similar to that usually made for the
selection of candidates for the House of
Delegates, and the date will be probably
April I'd.
There is some talk of allowing only
those who voted for Bryan in 1900 to
enter the primary as candidates for the
convention. but it is not at all likely
than this course will be pursued.
A we'll known locomotive engineer who
runs into Richmond does not concede
that only city people are interested in
the employers liability bill He says
that 80 Per cent. of the railway employees
in Virginia are the sons of farmers.
He points out that the bill has been
three times passed by the House of Dele
gates, and that often its patron and al
ways some of it's staunchest supporters
have come from the counties of the State.
He claims that each time a large propor-
ton of the members representing cities
have voted against the measure and that
its passage has each time been due to the
votes of the country members.
When asked if he thought it would con-
tinue to have a bearing upon the politics
of the State, he said that it would keep on
digging political graves until it was en-
acted into law. He said it was the only
single issue upon which the laboring peo-
pie OF Virginia were thoroughly united.
and that they would not knowingly sup
port any man Tor ONCE VINO dlo not Ia
vor it's passage.
The engineer cited the case of Congress
man Flcod as an example of the
of sentiment in the country dis
tricts in favor of the liability bill He
said in the Legislatures preceding Mr..
Floods first two campaigns for Congress
he had opposed the measure. and he. was
defeated, once at the polls and once in
but that in the last fight he
voted for it and was elected to Congress,
having the solid labor vote OF the dis
trict behind his candidacy
He did not think the fight for the great
was by any means dead, ana
that it would yet become the law OF Vir-7
sir,ia, whether as a part of the new Con-
or by legislative enactment
There is some talk of trying to induce
some one Of Rlchmond's prominent edu-
Gators to enter the race for the Constl-5
tutional Convention. A prominent law
yer Yesterday suggested that this would
be a good idea inasmuch rs the body
should be made up of leaders in the
various walks of life. He suggested the 4
names of Colonel McCabe and Professors
Boatwright. MCGUIRE. Moore, Mitchell,
Chandler and DIR. Nelson, any of whom
he said would make fine convention ma
terial.