Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-07
is NOT YET MADE UP !.
FIRST CORPORATION COMMISSION
STILL IN DOUBT.
GOODMAN HEAVILY BACKED.
s,rsHc Manager of the Richmond
Chamber of Commerce Urged by
influential Interest. - Important
Hcnrins on the Prospects of other
Candidates in the Field.
GOODMAN HEAVILY BACKED.
s,rsmc Manager of the Richmond


with tho converting of the Legislature
less than 4 week in the future, there is
good reason TO believe that Governor
Montague has not yet fully and finally
decided his three nominations for
membership on the first Corporation Com
mission az The State. Ex-State Senator
Henry Fairfax. of Loudoun, is believed
70 be tho only ono of the three now posi-
lively decided on.
There has always been feeling that
Richmond wouid get one OF the three
places on the commission. That feel
ing has now grown into a conviction
among those supposed to be close 10 the
Governor or who are particularly inter
esjaG III the personnel OF the commits
sion, Seyera! gentlemen have been men
lltoned from time 10 time. At first il was
Iihouch; that Colonel a. s. Buford would
sNe the Richmond member. Then Mr.
Asamuei A. Anderson was suggested as the
tIaHyer member, the place most difficult
80 I'LL. Now. however. there is a pow
arfU1 movement TO secure the selection of
Nix Edward S. Goodman. of this city.
manager Of the Traffic Bureau Of the
chamber Of Commerce.
WHAT is BEHIND HIM.
atr. Goodman long ago had the endorse
raent OF the local jobbing trade, the to-
sacco trade. the Travellers Protective
firms. Now the retail merchants and bus
mess men Of the city are enlisting in his
behalf. These gentlemen of the business
community have been favorably i'm
pressed with Mr.. Goodnan-s work in be-
half Of this city and its merchants, whole
sale and retail. and are warmly urging
him for the commission. a great deal
Of influence is being brought to bear on
rhe Governor TO secure the appointment
IT.
ut coercion. nor anything of the sort. 1t
IS merely an appeal on the part of the
representative business element Of the
community 10 secure a man on the COM
mission who has commended himself TO
their favor by the good work he has al
ready accomplished in a limited field.
There now seems TO be a strong proba,
biiity that Mr.. Goonan may be one of
the trio OF commissioners.
HAS IMPORTANT BEARING.
In the event of Mr.. Goodman's appoint
naut il is believed that the third men,
Der Of the commission will come from
Southwest Virginia. The Richmond mans
appoin tnlent would necessarily eliminate
Mt Edmunds from consideration unless
me entire slate were rubbed out and Mr..
Fairfax dropped from consideration.
There is little likelihood that Mr. Fair
AK will be dropped. In fact, there is
las long ago been determined upon 1f
ylr, Goodman be given place on the
omission, the other member must be
i lawyer. and in ali probability South
rcst Virginia lawyer. 1t is very gene
ally believed in political and even in
business circles that the Southwest should
ITO be ignored in the selection of the
commission.
AYERS OR TYLER.
-l5a Ily of r.
Einia most prominently mentioned for
The place is Northumberland Rufus
A. Ayers Of Wise county. an excellent
gentleman and a fine lawyer. In the
event of the selection of Mr.. Ayers there
would be no probability Of the selection Of
Ex-Governor Tyler as a member OF the
commission On the other hand. it is be-
iicved that Mr.. Ayers appointment on
he commission would remove him from
The race for the next Democratic subcr-
1atorial nomination.
The appointment Of Mr.. Goodman would
lof be a political appointment but 1t
might be a polite one nevertheless This
MY has always stood by Mr.. Montague
politically, and even on the score Of poll
tics it would seem that any one we'll
equipped for the commission and with
tn. practically solid endorsement of the
business community behind him might
prove not only wise from practical
rtaudyoint but from 4 political stand
point.
IL is expected that the Governor Will
send TO the Legislature soon after it
conVenes mis- nominations for the three
commissioners. The nominations will
probably be sent to the Legislature early
in the first full week OF the session.
Both houses in joint session must con-
firm the appointments before the ap-
t,ointee may enter upon his duties.
SERVE SHORT TERMS.
! The three members of the first com
mission must serve shorter terms than
the regular term. One must be chosen
for a term of but eleven months, or
from March l. 1903. until February i.
sggi another must be chosen for a term
beginning March /, 1909, and terminal
ing February /, 1905, giving him two years
and eleven months; ard one from March
J. 1903. until February ], 1905. a term OF
four years and eleven months. The sue
cgssprs of cash viii serve a full term OF
six years from March 1st OF the year OF
HDpointment Governor Montague VIII
thus have the selection OF the three, mem
5ers in the first place, and then at the
expiration of the term of the short-term
member he shall select his successor
After January l. 1905, the General AS
sambly may provide for the election OF
the commissioners by the people
Miss Margaret Esrey, Of Philadelphia,
eir,ad with u T. Hcebner of the same