The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-06
They Will Both Fight Hard to the
Finish.
THE RICHMOND DELEGATION.
That Is the Bone of Contentioa and
Much viii Depend on Plan Of
Committee-Swanson and Mar
shall Here = Efiyson May
Stand for Chairman.
Political Mites.

w
contest for the Democratic nomination
for Governor which has been fought out
in Virginia in many years opened up III
dead earnest yesterday as soon as the
decision of Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson not
to be a candidate became known.
Congressman Claude y. Swanson, OF
Chatham, arrived here early in the morn
ing from Washington. to look after his
fences, and Colonel r. c. Marshall, OF
Portsmouth, who is also an aspirant,
spent the day here looking over the field,
while Acknowledgement Montague re-
NAMED in his office in the State Library
building, and received the many friends
who called to tender their support, Mf.
Ellyson being one OF the field.
Mr. Swauson's lieutenants set to work
Immediately, in his rooms at Murphy 5,
laying plans to capture the Rlchmono
delegation for their favorite. Mr. Swan
son did not care to discuss his prospects,
for publication; but when friend suS-
srcstcd that everything was coming his
way and that the fact that he had Sc
cured the rooms from which Senator
Martin had recently conducted q success
full battle for the Senate might be q Ia
vorable omen, the young Congressman
smiled and said: Il am the luckiest man
in the world Mr. Swanson held many
conferences during the day, and for some
time last night he was clOSeteu with some
OF his supporters. He called on Secretary
Iawless in the IatterS office. and the
two leaders held a long conference.
accompanied by Mr.. Clyde w. Saun-
,iers who is one of his chief lieutenants
in Richmond, Mr.. Swanson went down to
Henrico county courthouse in the after
noon and conferred with leaders of the
county Democracy. He Will remain in
the CITY to-day and probably return TO
washington tomorrow
THE RICHMOND PLAN.
The friends Of Mr.. Swanson are claim
ing a majority of the members of the
City Democratic Committee and it leak
ed out yesterday that they favor ward
meetings as the best method of choosing
the delegates to the convention from this
city.
1t was stated last night by friend OF
AttOrney-Ceneral Montague that the sup
porters of that gentleman would insist
upon a primary plan, in keeping with the
we'll known custom in this city, and that
they would ask that the candidate who
received the highest number OF votes in
the city be given the entire delegation.
The battle-cry of our chieftain,' said
the Montague man. lis a fair field and no
favors, and we do not fear the result if
these are given. We are playing a full
square deal
The friends of both Messrs. Montague
and Swanson seem confident that their
respective favorites will fall heir to the
major part of Mr. Ellyson's. home
strength and the fight in this city prom
ises to be the most spirited one witnessed
here III many years.
IN FINE SPIRITS.
Attorney-General Montague, when seen
,,:r ~
candidacy further than TO say that ali
day yesterday gentlemen VITO had beer
for the Democratic chairman, as long as
he were in the race. We're assuring min
in person, as well as by letter and hJ
telegraph. that they would now give him
their cordial support. and that ne was
highly gratiticd al the outlook for his sue
cess. From close political friends OF Mr.
Montague it was learned that he felt al
soluteIy confident of carrying this city
and that he believed his chances of secur
ing the nomination were Frightening every
day.
It is not known whether Mr.. Echols or
Colonel Marshall will enter the primaries
here. but the prevailing opinion on the
subject is that the two leading candidates
will have the Richmond field TO item
! selves.
COLONEL. MARSHALL TALKS.
Colonel R. c. Marshall OF Portsmouth
who spent yesterday in Richmond talking
over the Gubernatorial situation, left for
his home last night.
! Col Marshall said he had reason to be
lieve that ne will get some OF the votes in
the Third District especially in that end
touching the tidewater section. Since Mr.
Ellyson was not a candidate, ne believes
he stands u good chance in the race.
It seems to be the general impression in
political circles that Hon. ]. Taylor Ely
son will be a candidate to succeed him
self as chairman Of the State Committee
| before the next Democratic Committee
One Of Mr.. Ellysons close friends said
last night that his admirers would insist
upon the chairman standing for re-elec-
tion and that they had every reason TO
believe that he would be successful Mean
while Secretary of the Commonwealth
Joseph r. Lawless is pressing his can
vuss for chairman and is receiving strong
support.
CONVENTION MATTER.
While the Gubernatorial contest monopo-
lized interest in political circles yesterday
there was much quiet talk about the extra
session Of the Legislature and the pro-
posed Constitutional Convention. The dis
position to send strong men to the latter
body continues to assert itself among all
classes, and it looks like the personnel OF
The Convention will be very high.
The many friends of Capt. George D
Wise are very hopeful that the distin-
ruished lawyer and Democrat win consent
to run for the Constitutional convention
from Richmond
Whit Capt. Wise has not said posi-
tivelv that he will be candidate, he is
thought to look with some favor upon
the proposition and may decide TO stand
for the nomination. His friends regard
him as admirably equipped for the con-
vention on account Of his wide expert
ence in legislative bodies and pu5lc mat
ters in general nnd his recognized ability
as a lawyer.