Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-28


In a little more than two years the State
Will be on the eve of an exciting contest
for the Democratic nomination tor Gov
srnor The last, in the early spring and
summer of 1921. was one of the most
Interesting Of recent years. The real fight
was for the nomination, for with that
won. election was assured. Naturally.
when nomination is equivalent to cleo
ZION a strenuous struggle for that honor
IS certain. The campaign of last year
was much in the nature Of a stump cam
paign. and the canvass reminded one of
the strenuous battles between Democrats
and Republicans fifteen or twenty years
ago
Now that the Democratic party has
abandoned the convention plan and pro-
noses to nominate by primary. the next
struggle for the gubernatoriai prize will
be great campaign with oratory and
brass bands and parades and all the
.ectacular and 6eclafnatory phases of
the old-time battles. The candidates will
make addresses in all parts of the State,
md their friends and strong advocates
may he drawn into this campaign of
oratory. Gibbs will be organized and
literature will be sent broadcast over the
State. urging the claims of the candi-
dates.
No matter how many candidates may
be entered for the honor. the man who
gets a mere plurality Of the vote cast will
he the nominee. and he will be the Gov
ernor The more asprants there are the
less oncrous the entrance fee. for the
necessary expense of the primary will
be shared equally by those who aspire.
X is tho hope of the party management
that tho primary plan may be amended
so as to minimize the expense to the can
didates. which under the present condi-
tons and prospects would be SO heavy
as to deter many from running, and limit
aspiration to those who are fairly
wealthy
More Interest Than Ever.
yirCinians are eminent for their interest
In politics. Indeed ii is this keen. active
interest and participation in all that con-
Germs the government and welfare or the
country that have made the VirSinanS
of other generations so prominent IN the
affairs of the nation. Now that the negro
has been eliminated as n menace and al
most wholly as a political factor it may
he expected that interest in politics Will
he greatly accentuated and more uni
versal than before.
Already the forces are aliGning for the
struggle of 1906 for the governorship- The
campaign promises to begin actively inn
mediately after the presidential election
OF November 1905. Even the pro-
spective aspirants are quietly gathering
nuclei of support and enlisting under
their banners influential men of every
section. Already five or six men have
been mentioned as possible aspirants or
as men worthy of the high office
ElIyson II Candidate.
When the Norfolk convention of 1901
adjourned. Hon, ]. Taylor Ellyson, for
many years State chairman, and several
times frequently mentioned as man
who would prove formidable aspirant
for the Eovernorship. stated to several
friends with whom he was talking in
the lobby of the Monticello Hotel that
he would be a candidate for the nominal
ton next time" He made the state
ment earnestly am deliberately, the oc
casion for the expression ueing the state
rent made to him by many of the dele
gates that they had hoped that they
would have had the opportunity TO vote
for him. Just the day before the chair
man had had splendid exhibition of the
wonderful hold he has upon Virginia
Democrats The great convention of l,5o0
non, weary after an exciting struggle
for several hours and eager to complete
the nominations and adjourn, had been
a bowling. yelling, discordant mass, re-
fusing to listen to speakers or to hear
any one no matter on what subject
The president of the convention had en-
hausted his vocal powers in a vain at
tempt to secure hearing. and several
of the best speakers IN the convention
had failed TO bring a semblance of order
0at OF the chaotic confusion prevailing.
instance of HIS Popularity.
It was in this extremity, when nothing
could be done. nothing heard, that the
silent imperturbable State chairman
arose and, walking to the front Of the
rostrum. stretched forth his hand for
cilence A moment only and he was recog-
nized and with the recognition of the
man by the great audience the tumult
was soon hushed. and Mr.. Ellyson made
simple, earnest appeal for a hearing
not for himself. but for the speakers who
desired 10 second nominations. The chair
man has never asked anything for him
self of his party except work. ana ms
long and eminent service entitled him
10 a hearing. II was probably due to this
TACT and the realization that he did not
want to ask anything for himself thai
the audience was stilled by his uplifted
hand and his waiting attitude, as ne
stood there statuesque upon the rostr'iln.
This incident was so striking in show
ing the hold Mr.. Eilyson has upon the
masses of his party that many remarked
upon it. His determination to be candi-
date next time which he announced
next day was no doubt due in part TO a
realization of the warm place he has in
the hearts of Virginia Democrats But
whatever the cause, he announced I'M
squivocally and Internationally that he
would be a candidate and he has never
publicly retracted that announcement On
The contrary his friends are already urs-
ing him. and ii may be taken for granted
that he will be in the field in the fight OF
1896.
Swanson VIII Run.
Congressman Claude A. Swanson. de-
feated for the nomination last time. but
who made friends and won admirers IN
the very hour of his defeat by the man
lness with which he met it. Will, II can
he stated almost with authority. be
candidate again in 1906. He has mace
no announcement. so far as known. or MS
candidacy at this time. but all who Know
him know that he is not a gutter. anu
that 1t is not characteristic OF him 10 De
daunted or discouraged in cherished
ambition by single defeat. de Is iuii
Of pluck and fight, and has in him more
teAn one good. sturdy battie. II appear