The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-21
! FEW REPUBLICANS.
1t is Expected That Several Will be
Sent Up.
SOME G0vERNoRsHIP GOSSIP.
The Movement 10 Capture Echoss
Delegates III Richmond Is attract
in. the Attention OF Politicians.
Mr.. Swanson Will Open
Headquarters Rerc.
Some Claims Made.

The certainty that there is to be
warm contest in many counties over
seats in the Constitutional Convention
appears TO be dawning upon Democratic
leaders.
A well known party man remarked yes
tcrday that he had no doubt that the
convention would contain number OF
Republicans. There is no doubt, OIL
course. that the Democrats will control
the BODY. but lust now there is as little
doubt that there will be in the conVen-
ton many more Republicans than there
are among the hundred members OF the
House of Delegates. The fact is borne
in mind that fifty-one of the counties
of the State voted against the Consti-f
tutional Convention proposition, even
though the irnprimature of the Demo-
cratic party We're upon it. 1t is also re-
membered that it was the great White
counties of the State which gave ma
jorities against a convention. In sew
eral counties of the Southwest. for in
stance, the ma jority against the conVen-
tion proposition was very strong.
Southwest man in the city yesterday SAID
that there was no hope of Hon. Archer
y. Phlegar. of Montgomery, being
member of the convention, as the county
gave a large majority against a >conven-
ton He expected the original opponents
of the convention and the Republicans
to unite in electing a man who was not
an original convention man.
1t may be that the original opponents
OF the convention idea will not unite
with Republicans to elect anti-conven-
ton men, Republicans or otherwise. 1t
is true that the leaders of the convention
movement expect them to do SO.
The exclusive publication in yesterdays
Times OF q conference Of the friends OF
Mr. Echols at Murphy's Tuesday night, at
which steps We're taken TO begin work to.
u portion of the Richmond dele
CATION to the Gubernator;al Convention.
excited much interest. The movement is
significant. Ii the solid Riclrmond delega-
ton does not go to Mr.. Montague, Mr..
Ecllols will get those who do not support
the Attorney-General. The second choice
of the Echols men is not known. 1t is
thought to be Mr.. Swanson.
One Gle the best known men in Virginia
said Yesterday that he hnd information in
his possession which justified him in say
ing that Mr.. Aontague's nomination was
already assured He mentioned several
counties as certain to send Montague dele
gates to the Convention, among them
Pockbridge, Botetourt and Rockingham.
These Valley counties have been regarded
as safe for Mr. Echols. The gentleman
referred to said further that a portion of
the Albefnarle delegation would be for
Montague, and that the second choice OF
the delegates from Augusta, Mn. t2chols'
county, would be Montague.
A close political friend OF Congressman
Claude A. Swanson stated yesterday that
the rlfth District Congressman would
open headquarters here and direct his fight
for the Gubernatoral nomination from this
city. He said Mr.. Swanson would not only
wage a hot tight for the Richmond city
delegation, but would keep up an active
canvass all over the State, directing his
battle from his Richmond headquarters,
which he would oDen in due time. 1t Is
thought that the Congressman will en-
gage rooms at Murohy'S Hotel, as that
has become the storm center OF poHtrca-
contests in recent years. His friends mere
are very active and nre claiming the sue
cess of their man with much confidence.
Chairman James w. Gordon. of the City
Democratic Committee, said yesterday that
he did not expect to call that body to
sether to arrange a plan for nominating
candidates for the Convention for several
weeks. as he did not believe there was
any necessity tor u long canvass Mr.
Gordon who is himself a candidate for
the Convention, will present his resigna-
ton as chairman of the committee at the
next meeting 1t is said that Hon. r.
Carter Scott and MIR. Hill Montague will
also resign from the committee IN order
to run for the Convention. Labor Comnn.s-
sioner James B. Doherty and Captain
Cunningham Hall nre mentioned for chair
man to succeed Mr.. Gordon.
Hon. S. S. P. Patteson stated yesterday
morning that he was in che race to stray
for delegate to the Constitutional Conven-
tion from this city, and proposed to do
whatever was honorable to win out. If it
became necessary to make a canvass and
state his views as to Constitutional reform
TO the people, the popular legislator said
he was ready to do that, and would meet
;he other aSpirants i'll any arena. he
said il there was amy slate he was not
on it, but he had reason to Deileve that
his chances of success We're excellent. pas
ing his calculations upon the assurances
of his friends.
The friends Of Colonel A. S. Buforu will
make a very determined fight to have
him elected member of the Const-tu-
tional Convention from this city. There
is little doubt of Colonel Buford's sue
cess. He has hundreds of warm, ha d
working friends, whose knowledge OF MS
eminent fitness for a place in the conyen-
ton is causing them to plan a vigorous
canpairn in his behalf.
There will be an important meeting of
+he Central Trades and Labor Council
Tuesday night, at which the advisabilitys
of putting up one candidate for the Con-
5stitutfonal Convention will be considered.
IT win probably be decided to mae such
nomination. The name of Mr. NJ. p. Mur-
nhv. a very level-headed member of the
Iron-Moulde ders Onion. has been suggest