Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1903-10-16
MANY CANDIDATES
FOR GOVERNOR

81 am considering the matter, and
will let you have my answer as soon
as have decided what shall do"
Thus spoke Judge W. H. Mann, of
Nottoway, the author Of the Mann bill,
who had been asked the direct question
whether he would be candidate for
governor before the next Democratic
state convention.
Judge Mann was going to attend a
meeting of the legislative committee on
revision when seen by reporter, and
while the same affable and accommo-
dating gentleman as always, he was in
the question.
The temperance people of the state
are anxious fer Judge Mann to enter
the contest That he has received
promises of support from all over the
state is no secret. Among the letters
are many written by people who will
support him because they deem "a
legitimate control of the liquor traffic.
necessity.
A campaign along the lines Of license
cr no license, under the primary plan
of the Democratic party, would be
brisk, with the result in doubt. There
are many people in the state who favor
the dispensary system, and just where
these would go is problem. The tenn
perance people are not unanimous for
the dispensary.
Major William A. Anderson, the at
torney general, was asked the same
question as that propounded to Judge
Mann. The major looked up from his
work of preparing papers in matters
to come before the next term of the
supreme court of appeals for mo-
ment.
Il will give you my answer within
six weeks. / have the matter under
consideration Can't tell now what
shall do"
1t is expected that j. Taylor Ely
|son, of Richmond, who has said that he
intended to make the race, will for
mally announce his decision in few
weeks and that he will certainly be in
the fight. Mr.. Ellyson will be no in
significant factor in the campaign. His
strength is known to be great.
Congressman Claude A. Swanson,
the brilliant young member from the
Fifth district, has said that he was in
the race, and with the support that he
had in the last campaign, and promises
of Swanson next time,' he will make
i formidable aspirant.
Then there is William A. Jones, the
First district congressman, we'll known,
popular and good speaker, who viii!
have many friends If he seeks the nom
nation Mr.. Jones will almost GER
tainiy be a candidate either for the
United States senate against Mr.. Mar
tin, or for the governorship, it is be-
lieved.
Edward Echols, Of Staunton, will
probably get in the race. He has served
in the senate for several terms. is a
gentleman Of ample means to make a
ong campaign, and is a good stumper.
Col. Joseph E. Willard, the lieuten-
ant governor, is another Of the gentle
men who will go before the people in
he primary and ask that he be moved
up a peg. Colonel Willard is widely
known, has pleasing address and
would have the support Of many of his
ormer colleagues in the house and the
senate.
But there is one uncertain clement
the present primary law. If that is re-
pealed, there will be several other can
didates for the nomination. There are
candidates to whom the work of
making double canvass of the state
first for the nomination and then fer
election-would be a physical task that
will, it is believed retard them from
entering the campaign. On the other
hand, if the pending Keezell Barksdale
primary bill were adopted, it would
make unnecessary the second campaign
as the candidate receiving the nominal
ton would have majority of the
votes of the state.
The Keezell- Barksdale bill provides
Tor primaries for delegates, the candiy
date receiving the highest vote to have
the delegates from his county or city,
thus making the county or city unit
in the convention to which the dele
gates are sent