The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-23
The GREAT FIGHT
FOR GOVERNOR
Position Of Congressman
With Reference to 1t.
THEY ARE DIVIDED
May Not Take Very Active Part in
the Fight.
GOSSIP OF POLITICIANS.
GoYcrnor Tyler Don't Like the Cons
vention Bnl-Dispcnsary Measure
forthe State-Significaut Meet
ing of Leaders in Newpor:
Ncws-T.lk About Com
Ycntion Candidates.

The part which the Congressman will
play in the politics in Virginia in this, the
greatest political year the Commonwealth
has ever known, perhaps, is suoJect
which is now interesting politicians, the
canlidates ard the lawmakers alike.
For several years past the Virginia
Consressmen, or many of theln' nave
been welding a powerful influence IN IN
+ra-State contests Several State officials
of the present owe their elevation to the
work of their Congressman. Several OF
the present Congressman from Virginia
refuse to take a part III State contests,
but some do not hesitate to help their
friends when help is needed. Congress
man Swanson is one of these, and he mas
done yeomen work in having his Fifth
District friends elected to Office. He has
made many friends by his frank parti-
sanry, but it is also true that his candi-
dacy for the gubernatorial nomination
has developed that his loyalty to MS
friends has made him opponents.
1t is not believed that Mr.. Swanson
will take an active part in the contest Tor
seats in the Constitutional Convention
from the counties of the Fifth District.
OF course he will use all his influence in
every district to secure delegates to the
State Convention to nominate I. candi-
date for the Governorship.
HOW THEY ALL STAND.
1t is claimed by Mr.. Swanson and his
friends that seven of the ten Congress-
men from Virginia are friendly to the
candidacy of Mr.. Swanson. The count in
cudes Mr. Swanson. Mr.. Jones. of the
First District, is put down for Mr.. Mon
tague; Mr.. Rixey, of the Eighth, for Mr..
Montague, and Mr.. Flood. of the Tenth
for Mr. EcholS as first choice. Mr.. May
nard of the Second; Mr.. Lamb of the
Third; Mr.. Lassiter. of the Fourth; Mr..
Swanson. of the Fifth; Mr.. Otey, of the
Sixth; Mr.. Hay. of the Seventh, and Mr..
Rhea of the Ninth. are claimed by the
friends of Mr.. Swanson.
Capt Dick Marshall, of Portsmouth, is
the Second District candidate, and it is
presumed that Mr.. Maynard's first choice
is the Portsmouth man. lie is understood
to be for Mr.. Swanson when Capt. Mar
shall is out of the race. One OF the best
KNOWN Democrats in the State said yes
terday that he thought there was nothing
more interesting or more important IN Elr-
sinia politics now than the second choice
OF the E,chols and NIarshnll men.
Captain Lamb has not. so far as known
publicly declared his preference as be-
tween the four Gubernatorial candidates
There is 4 large Echols contigent in tbs
! Third District, and probably a majority o.
the delegates will be for Montague.
1t is asserted positively that Montague
will carry several of the Fourth District
counties, despite NIr. Lassiter's alleged adj,
vocacy elf Mr.. Swanson,s candidacy
is CLAIMED FOR MONTAGUE.
Passing over the Fifth District-Mr
Swanson s-although Maj. Otey is said tt
advocate Mr. SwanSon's nomination. it Is
| a med by Mr.. NIontague's friends thai
sNeral counties of the district are for the
Attorney General for Governor. 1t IS sta,
te.i rpon what appears to be good authori
tx that in the Seventh District several oi
the counties will send Montague de4eSa-
tions to- the Conventions, notwithstanding
Mr.. Hays advocacy oaf Mr. swanson
claims for the nomination.
Mr.. Rhea is said to advocate the nomina-
tion OF eMr. Swanson, but the Montague
and Echols men are Ginning the dele
gates from the Ninth District, with the
eyre1,t,ion of Bristol and Washington coun-
ty.
Mr.. Echols is very strong in the Tenth
District, being a Tenth District man,
and will. of course, have all, or nearly
all, the delegates on the first ballot.
There is said to be no question that MT.
Montague is the choice OF a majority OF
the counties OF the Tenth District. MI
Flood would scarcely care to display
much partisanship in advocating Mr..
Swanson's candidacy. although he is
said to favor the Fifth District man
after Mr.. EchOlS.
The foregoing may show that the ma
jority of the Virginia Congressman are
not likely to be very active in the guber-
1r-f}1y rysl
to take an active part in the contest SO
long as the scales are so evenly bal
anced between the various candidates
Governor Tyler has grave fears that the
convention bill (Which he signed reiuc-
tantly and only because he did not wish
to be placed in the false light OF oppoS-
ing a convention) passed by the extra
session of the Legislature does not pro-
vide a proper basis of representation. and
that it will permit the corporations to get
control of the body. He favored the
Senatorial basis with some delegates at
large, and is apprehensive lest the county
officers and corporate influences shall
combine and defeat the very ends for
which the body was ordered by the peo-
| ple. Had the bill been passed and sent
to him in the early stages of the session
he would have undoubtedly returned ii
without his approval and given his rea-
sons at length for failing to sign 1t.
| 1t may be stated on good authority that
at the next regular session of the Legis-
Iature a bill will be presented providing a
I dispensary system for the sale of intoNi-
eating liquors in Virginia. a gentleman
who is much interested in the matter
will, during the coming summer, make q
trip to South Carolina and make a thor
ough study of the law in force there
with the view to formulating q similar
| mea sure for this State, with such modi-
| tications and changes as may be deemed
proper. Sentiment is undoubtedly grow
! ing in favor of some reform IN this line,
and there are many who believe that this
| is the best solution of the problem.
1t is thought that something OF a sig
| nificant nature is going on at Newport
News ato-night. Congressman Swanson
is there by invitation to address the J.