The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-12
YOUNG men TO THE FRONT
New Leaders to Control the Nir.
ginia Democratic Convention.
Montague's Nomination 10 BE Fol
lowed by Many Changes in the
Stnte Machinery A Plan for
General Primaries TO BE Favored.

Stnte Machinery A Plan for
General Primaries TO BE Favored.
NORFOLK Va, Aug. ia striking
feature of the Democratic State conven-
ton, which will assemble in Armory Hall.
in this city, on Wednesday. to be in ses-
sion for two days, will be the appearance
as leaders Of 81 many young men. For
years past, whenever there has been a
State ssemblase of this party, there have
been certain men. old both in point of
years and in point Of service, who have
borne the brunt of the work While these
have not been shelved, and while their
experience may be called upon on more
than one occasion, there will be new faces
seen in the most pubic places and new
names will be added 10 the list OF Dem
ocratic leaders after this convention. Al
though many o. these already have a To-
cal reputation. il was not until the as
semblage Of the Constitutional Convention
that they became possibilities In a larger
field. Young men viii be selected for the
principal offices of the State and young
men will place these names before the
convention for nomination.
II would be somewhat singular should
the determination to elect United States
Senators by the people and by primary
plan be reached at this convention of
young men. AID yet this will in all hu-
man probability be done. The question
has been agitated at some length ever
since the State convention at Roanoke,
four years ago. At that time it was only
defeated by a narrow margin and then
because of the personal popularity of
Senator John W Daniel. who opposed the
plan because he did not think the time
,it.e fpr r,,lftfus into execution
Three years ago there was held a con-
vention in Richmond, the object being to
devise some ways and means to carry
out the idea of those who favored the
direct election. At this convention An
drew Jackson Montague, who will I'M
doubtedly be Virginia's next Governor,
and Representative William A. Jones,
from the First district, We're the lead
ers, but no practical benefits accrued
to the movement. Since that time Mon
tague has aged in experience and Jones
has grown less bitter in expression. so
that as they will continue the fight at
this convention there is every reason to
believe they viii be successful. They
f, will be aided by others who have recently
attained high rank in the party, and it
now looks certain that from the Commit
tee on Resolutions, of which Senator
Daniel will very probably be chairman.
there will so to the convention report
favoring the electing of Senators by the
people at large.
This convention will also declare in no
unrnistakable terms that the constitu-
ton of the State. which is now being
formed by some of the ablest men of the
South, will have to be referred to the
people The referendum clause which
I'D cd ut 1nr
years ago will be req firmed because of
the doubt in the minds of some people
whether or not the Constitutional Conven-
ton will have its work passed upon by
the voters of the State. This doubt Is of
recent origin. and has no foundation in
fact bu- he coming convention does not
propose to take chances in the matter.
Another measure which will receive
favorable consideration viii be q general
primary plar that is. a law providing
for a primary for the nomination Of all
State officers IN the same day in the
different courties and cities. Both Mon
iague and Claude A. Swanson, VINO was
the formers str niest opponent Ia the
rece or ,tncrship. favor this
idea. aid the only opposition so Ear adj
vanced to the plan comes from men Who
fear the necessary expense incident to its
execution. The referendum matter VIII
meet with strong opposition. several
leaders believing that no mention should
be made of it whatever. Senator Daniel
is among these.
There is now absolutely no doubt OF
the nomination for first place on the
ticket of Montague He has beaten Swan
son badly, and 1t is believed by many who
are well posted in the affairs of the Rep
reserltative from the Fifth district that
il will be he who Will move that the
convention make the nomination of his
opponent unanimous. For the second
place on the ticket. Joseph f. Willard. the
young leader from Fairfax County, has
now the brightest outlook His principal
opponent is DIR. LeCato, State Senator
from Accomac County, but the chances
of the latter are not very bright. For
the attorney generalship. the leading as
pirants are John L. Jeffries, of Culpep-
or. and Major William A. Anderson, of
Rockbrldge. The managers of the cam
paignS of both Of these gentlemen claim
the victory, but as the former started in
the race first. and secured many delega-
lions before the latter decided to enter, ii
now looks as il Jeffries will win. The
convention viii not last over two days
and the balloting for the officers VIII not
consume much time.
One of the results Of the nomination Of
Montague VIII be a charge in the party
machinery. Just how powerful this is, is
an unknown quantity, n present. be-
cause Of the setback il recently received.
1t is a w--ll-known fact that the caudi-
dacy Of Swanson was supported BIS the
entire organization. although ne was
not in the fight after it really got warm
And yet. whether It is worth much OF
little. The friends Of the next Governor are
determined that il shall be used in his
behalf N The state oTGai1-~.-tiCr of the
party, the machinery Is In the hands Of
or really IS, The STATE Committee ana the
ten District Committees. In every dis
trict. save the Fifth, whore Swanson con-
trolls the situation, even though he was
defeated. there Will be material changes
In the personnel Of the committees Whit.
many new faces VIII be seen on the state
Committee. OF the latter. J. Taylor Ely
son viii remain chairman. but his assO-
siates viii be, in the main, friends OF
Montague
But for one fact. there would be a clean
sweep in the matter Of committeeman.
2 his fact is that the constitution now be-
ing framed viii be submitted TO the
people for ratification. and there is some
little fear on the part Of several leaders
that IL might be defeated should the ma
chinery be In the hands OF an entirely
new force. For this reason there will be
left on the committees "A sufficient work
ing force Of old members so that their
experience may be valuable to the new
corners. What Will be done along this
line however il is almost impossible to
forecast There viii be conference Of the
leaders here tomorrow night, when this
aud other subjects will be discussed prior
TO action by the delegations and by the
convention.
Every arrangement for holding the con
yention has been made by the local Dem
ocratic committee. Armory Hall one Of
the largest halls in the State ii not the
very largest, has been decorated and
provided with everything possible for the
comfort and convenience of the delegates.
Of whom there viii be 1.467. with about as
OF the prominent delegates arrived, and
these will be augmented by arrivals on
every boat and train from now to the
morning of the convention.