The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-23
GREAT BATTLES IN
VIRGINIA POLITICS
Montague and Martin to Lock
Horns.
NAY ENTER arena ALONE
Will Be a Lively Scrap for Senator,
Nh ct1ever Way the Wind May Blow.
May Candidates May Enter
Gubernatorial Race-Notes.

Two of the greatest political batetles Of
the new century are billed to take place
within the Democratic party in Virginia
in the summer of 1865, and although it
IS yet a long way OFF, the leaders a.e
beginning TO line up and to prepare for
trouble
It is hard row to say which is going
10 be the more lively OF The two strug-
giles. for the senate. ship and the COVER
ship are both honors greatly to be coget-
cd, and there are dozens of distinguished
Democrats who would accept either if
offered them. But the day Of Offering and
accepting honors in Virginia has passed,
FIR recent battles have demonstra-
ted thGi when a man wants an
office, the best and practically the only
safe way of procuring it is 10 so out and
plead for it before the people.
This is what is going to be done about
the two distinguished honors in the great
race of 1905. and the man who stands
hack and waits for an invitation will see
some one else walk away with the palm
MONTAGUE
Around the senatorship fight apparent
" tn greatest amount of interest cente s
now This is perhaps largely owing tc the
fact that Governor 4.-ontague and Sena-
tor Martin are regarded as the leading
aspirauts. and they are as we'll the recog-
nzed leaders Of the two oposins factions
of the party in Virginia. Other cand dates
may enter. Ex-Governor Tyler and Hon.
A c. Braxton are talked of. but there
seems to be q growing desire OF the peo-
pie to see the battle begun last year
fought out between these two leaders,
so as TO settle once for all the direct
Issue OF mastery between the warning
party factions. Governor Monta que, from
what can be learned, will not only desire.
but he and his friends will demand a pri-
mary such as has been already ordained
by the party in convention assembled. On
the ether hand. it is evident that the
chief supporters OF Senator Martin prefer
that their candidate shall try his hand
once again in a legislative caucus. by
which method he has twice gained a seat
in the Senate.
WHERE THEIR STRENGTH is.
Montague is a powerful stumper; Mar
Tin manifestiy is not. On the other hand,
his great strength is as an organizer. in
Which he has few il any superiors in the
State Governor Montague Won his spurs
over the dashing Swanson by his splendid
bursts oc oratory and by getting in close
touch with the rank and file Of the peo-
i.la. Perhaps Senator Martin can Guido
theyourg Governor in the matter Of cap
turing legislative nominations, but his best
friends do not claim that they are at all
evenly matched In a race before the peo-
pie So thus in one event. the advantage
would be with the Governor. and IN the
other It would clearly rest on the sice
OF the Senator. and after all the method
Of nomination is going TO have a great
deal 10 do with who will be the successor
10 Senator Martin when his present term
shall have expired in 1905. AS TO the
GoveTnorship, there are many asplrants
and also those who are being Groomed
as probabilities by their friends.
SOME WHO MAY RUN.
The lists embrace the names of Lieu
tcnant-Governor Joseph Z. Willard. OF
FAIRFAX; Chairman j. Taylor Ellyson. OF
this city; General Rufus A. Ayers. Of
Wise; Hon. II. St George Tucker OF
Stanton; Mayor A. a. Moss, of New
port News; Congressman Claude A. Swan
soil, Of Plttsylvania; Hon. William An
derson. Of Rockbridge: Congressman w.
a. Jores. of Richmond county. and Car
ter Glass, Of Lynchburg. While a few. If
any. of the above gentlemen have posi-
lively announced their candidacy, yet it
IS regarded as pretty certain that several
OF them at least Will enter the race at
The proper time.
All the State officers are TO be chosen
a. the same time. and for the second pla &c
on the ticket the first announcements are
those of Hon. S. S. Simmerman. OF Wythe
and Hon Charles 7. Bland. of Ports
mouth. The battle promises to be a great
one all around, and some lively times are
c:;yected.