The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-13

The great contest for the Democratic
nomination for Governor OF Virginia, which
will be settled by the State Convention
some time next summer, was given new
life and spirit about ten days ago by the
unexpected announcement on the part OF
Hon. ]. Taylor Ellyson, Of this city, that
he had decided not TO be a CANDIDATE Tor
the honor This leaves four strong can
didates in the field, and all indications
spoint TO the fiercest struggle that mas en-
Gagged the attention OF the Democrats o.
Virginia since the memorable deadlock
between the forces of Senator Daniel and
General Malone in 1871. which finally re-
suited in the nomination of the late T. W.
Al. Holiday Of Winchester, for Governor.
Those who aspire TO the honor now are:
Acknowledgement Andrew Jackson Nolta-
que Congressman Clnude a. swanson OF
the Fifth District: observation-disclosures
Edward Echols of Stanton, and COL *
- marshall. of Portsmouth, and the race
between them is going to be extremely eX-
citing Sc not bitter. before 1t is over Al
though the opposing forces are barely on
the sk!rmish lines, there are already eTl-
dences of feeling between the friends OF
The two leading candidates and there are
many indications that it Will not apate
until the Convention shall say who is TO
be the nominee
WHO THE LEADERS ARE.
Nressrs. AIontague and Swanson are con-
sidered on all hands as the leading caf'ul-
dates, and it is between them and their
friends that the battle is expected 10 rage
she iiercest- They represent TWO dlSuiicI
elements in the Democratic party more
.y7pically perhaps than any aspirants "hom
the fates have pitted against each other
for high office in Virginia since Inc W.T.
Nontap1,e-s great strength lies with the
main people-tile rank and tile OF the
na-tv-while that of his chief antagonist
Is TO be found among the ieaders-lhat
ronparatively small body OF men whose
wonderfully astute powers OF organization
have welded such a potent influence over
The public affairs OIL inc 0ts'le AZ nv h'>-N
ten years
II IS not meant for a moment that all
.be people are for Montague, or that
every politician IN the State is Tor swan
ron. but il is given as the OPINION Oh me
most intelligently Informed that as a
general proposition these are the lines
anon which the battle is drawn between
tho two Young leaders and this fact
makes the race fairly bristle with inter
est from one end of the State TO the
other. 1t injects into the struggle as
well an element Of uncertainty, Whlch IL
NAV require the work of the convention
to clear away. for never before mas tne
iSS1le
State, and no political prophet mas Yet
come upon the scene who was able TO
foretell what would be the result OF Such
an unusual controversy
A BRILLIANT YOUNG LEADhE.
Attorney General Montague, whose
STRUGGLE with Mr.. Swanson for the guber-
material nomination is attracting such
xridnspread attention throughout the
state is one of the most brilliant young
men who has figured actively III the pom
tics of Virginia for many years
He is a man of attractive personality,
with The manner of a Chesterfield, ana
ranks as one Of the ablest lawyers in VIZ
.inia. AS an orator Mr.. Montague STANDS
In the very front rank and during all the
ca-,nai-rrs since he came TO manhood ne
has gone up and down the state plead
ing the cause of Democracy ana pointing
The way to the triumph OF his Larty at
the polls. -,
In The recent presidential canvass he
was dcluged with requests to SPEAK IN
Every section OF Virginia and was almost
constantly on the stump until the closing
hours OF The struggle. arousins the pco-
ME 10 the highest pitch OF enthusiasm by
his magnetic presence and brilliant
bursts of oratocy-
1le also received urgent invitations to
.nrak in Kentucky, Delaware, MarSiand
mud West Virginia. but WAS forced TO &c
cline on account OF official business ana