The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-10
THE GREAT FIGHT
IS GROWING WARM
Friends Of Montague and
Swanson Very Active.
THE PRIMARY PLAN.
That VIII Be the Bone Of Contention
That VIII Be the Bone Of Contention
MEETING OF STATE COMMITTEE
Will Be Called Not Later Than April ist
Convention Candidates Are Becoming
Adivc-Mr. j. S. Moore Signs the
Agreement Not TO Spend Money.
Gossip Gathered from
the Politicians.

Although many months viii probably
clapse before the convention will meet TO
nominate a candidate for Governor. the
great contest has already reached the
.1nmering stage. and the friends of ali
The candidates. but especially those OF
Messrs. Montague and Swanson, are on a
hot trail for votes.
The coming OF Congressman Swanson to
Richmond and the developments in the
meeting Of the City Committee the other
night, have thrown new life into TINS sioe
OF the struggle, and evidences OF renewed
activity were noticeable among his sup
porters yesterday.
Ills presence here has cheered aid
stimulated them, while the victory of the
Montague forces on the COMMITTEES, has
s,ut Them on their nettIe and they have
determined TO make the effort of their
lives 10 capture a big slice of the Rich
1nCI1d delegation 10 the convention.
Conferences of the Swanson leaders
We're numerous yesterday, and severa!
prominent members of the City Commit
tee were displaying great activity IN the
interest OF the young chieftain. Mr.. Swan
son has some OF the sflrewdeSt and best
leaders on the committee with him. ana
they have not given UP mis- fight here by
any manner of means. The committee was
being polled yesterday in the interest OF
= primary plan that will be agreeable TO
The Swanson people, but II could not pe
learned with what success.
WHERE THE FIGHT MILL COME.
Richmond is regarded on all hands as
IN. ..Bioody Angle" of the great battle,
and IL is evident that the bitterest con-
Test OF ali viii come over the adoption OF
a plan for the selection OF delegates by
the City Democratic Committee. l'or some
time 1t has been practically settled that
there would be primary. but what klnd
OF = primary is the question. 1t Is learned
on high authority that the friends OF Mr.
Swanson viii contend for what is known
as a minority plan, III which the candi-
dates are voted for directly and the dele
gates apportoned among them in propor-
ZION TO the votes received by each.
They point out that this is a fair plan
and that the precedent lfor it was estab-
l1shed four years ago III the Tyler-EHyson
contest
4 minority representation plan would
DIVIDE the Richmond delegates between
The four candidates and each would re-
ceive them upon the basis of the vote he
was able 10 capture at the polls.
a PRECINCT PRIMARY.
The other plan most frequently men
TONED is what is known q precinct
primary. Under this the candidates are
voted for directly as in the caseImen-
toned above. but instead of apportioning
the delegates upon the vote Of the entire
city each candidate names the delegates
TO which the precincts he carries are
entitled
In support OF this plan il is argued
that ii is highly Democratic. in that 1t
gives direct local representation by pre-
ciucts. and brings the matter home to
every voter Those who favor a precinct
primary over the minority plan argue
that the latter received the hearty de-
nuncia1ion of Democratic leaders and the
press of the State when il Was adopted
-FOUR years ago and that no reasonable
objection can he urged against allowing
cash precinct in this city TO have major
ity rule which it is claimed IS usual in
most OF the countes and cities OF the
Stats.
No poll OF TIE committee has ever been
taken on this particular question, and
it is not probable that any man knows
what will be the result when the fight
comes up.
1t is certain. however, that this will be
the bone of contention when the body
meets to formulate d plan. and the light
promises 10 be one Of the hottest ever
waeed in the City Committee. The friends
OF Mr. Montague will fight for the pre-
cinct primary; those Of Mr.. Swanson for
the minority representation plan. while
The tlriends OF MeSsrS. EchoiS and Mar
shall say they are agreeable 10 anything
provided il is fair.
CANDIDATES NOT ASLEEP.
The activity in the Guberhatorial con-
test is not by my means confined TO the
candidates themselves. MI Swanson re-
cciyed his friends at Murphys yesterday.
and advised with them as to the local
4 +aJl on ha
subject when seen. further than TO say
that he was satisfied with the outlook
for his success in the Stale, and that
lic had not been here long enough 10
Judge OF the Richmond situation. He
VIII probably be here all of next week,
and viii devote much of his time 10 or
eanizing his forces While M. Swanson
and his friends are at work. Mr.. Mon
tasue is not idle. Streams Of admirers
go to his Office daily, and he is con-
stantly in correspondence with his man
ayers all over the State. AS TO the fight
here, Mr. Montague expresses the ut
most confidence in his ability 10 capture
a very large proportion of the delegates,
and SAWS the canvass is progressing TO
his entire satisfaction. Lieutenant Gov
crnor Echois is layins low and his friends
arc not making much fuss, though they
say he is IN a pretty position 10 win
The battle. and that he will have some
delegates here. Colonel Marshall Will.
according 10 his friends. go in the Rich
mond primaries. and they claim some
strength for him hero.
EARLY COMMITTEE MEETING.
Chairman Eilyson says he will call an
carly meeting of the State Committee
Ia arrange for the convention and to
fix the basis OF representation of the
several counties and cities in tho body.
ii is not thought that the meeting will
nc later than April list. and when its
work has been accomplished. the red
nrc of the contest will fairly blaze. The
committee will, OF course. meet in this