The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-02
Government in PrediCdment
About Reported Assdssinat'n
TALK OF THE POLITICIANS
Republicans Not Making as Many Nom
nations as Had Been Expected.
The Senatorial Fight-Ninth
District Affairs.
Times-Dispatch Burenu.

Washington. D. c., Sept. Isl. 1909.
Tie inclination Of everybody in Wash
l.lgton to laugh at the position In Which
the government is placed because Of the
reported murder Of the American vice
consul at Beirut Is unmistakable. Al
strong American fleet is on It's way to
Beirut and can't be stopped, much as
the home government would like to turn
4 1t back. It now develops that Mr.. Magels-
sen was not even shot at. but that he
thought the firing Of guns and pop-crack-
ding was an attack upon the august rep
aresentative of the American government.
Jt7is probably not the first time a sere-
nading party has caused trouble, though
there Is no record of one having caused
complications before. 1t Is
recalled however, that Minister Leish-
man has been decidedly slow In acting
In important matters heretofore, which
makes his zeal In transmitting an erro-
ncous report all the more noticeable.
An official OF the Department Of State
said to-day that the government would
n,akeisno attempt to recall Admiral Cot
toms squadron after 1t reaches Beirut
as It was thought best to have war yes
sells there. even though the report OF the
murder OF the representative Of this gov
crnment were untrue. But to the average
man such action will appear as an at
tempt to stand pat, even though in the
wrong. #llss f5st
Arr.Tazewell county Republican, who was
here to-day said he could not explain
the failure Of the Virginia Republicans
thus far to make nominations for the
General Assembly There are some can
ddatess but the Republicans have not
generally nominated. as Representative
slemp said they would do. 1t Will be
RECALLED TINT in May last Mr. Slemp
stated publicly that nominee would be
put up In every Legislative district. 1t Is
agreed that Mr.. Slemp thought he spoke
truly, but 1t Is by no means certain that
his fellow-leaders In Virginia want much
increase In numbers of the rank and file.
1T would make too much showing al the
pie counter. Mr.. Slemp Is the only one
{ Of them who needs numbers, as he has
to come back to Congress by Republic
can majority, and will not retain his
place through favor OF the administration.
I have heard 1t rumored lately that the
Republican State ticket In 1905 will be l..
L. Lewis, for Governor; c. G. Causey. for
iLieutenant-G Governor. and Hugh Gordon
Miller, for Attorney-Gen Judge Lewis
is Enthusiastically the strongest Republic
can in Virginia. Captain Causey is popular
with the rank and file, but he does not
stand we'll with the organization, as evil
denced by his manifesto OF last spring In
which he charged that the Republican
leaders In Virginia were opposed to any
great increase In the number OF voters.
Hugh Miller Is believed to DO moro tho
roughly In accord with the organization
than any of the three gentlemen men
toned 5
! A Virginia Democrat, who is now in
WASHINGTON, said last night that ex-Gov-
erpor sT'yler's mind vas still made up to
be a candidate for. the United States SEN
ate unless tho present Democratic prl-
mary plan should be abrogated In the
meantime,
This was the Governors unqualified de-
claration In an Interview printed In this
correspondence about February q. 1905
Senator Martin and ex-Governor Tyler
are the only avowed candidates.
known that Governor Montague will
run. no has never said so for publ
cation. There has been more talk in the
past month OF Hon. William A. Jones be-
linz n candidate than ever before. 1t Is
asserted positively that his mind is not
yet maqde up ono way or the othor. Hon.
A. G. Brnxton told me last week he did
not at present have any plans whereby
to enter public life. The impression mado
upon me was that such life had charms
for him. But Mr.. Braxton, though he has
very large law practice, is a poor man,
and he probably feels that public life is a
luxury he cannot afford.
One OF the prettIest fights for nomina.
ton In Virginia next fall will be the ono
which viii be pulled off By Hon. w, =,
Rhea, and Hon,J, G.. Wysor for the honor
OF leading the Democrats In the contest
for the seat now held by Hon. Campbell
Slemp, from the Ninth District. IA
1t is certain that Judge Rhea will want
to try conclusions with Colonel slemp
again, ~ don't know yet" was the re-
Spouse Of Mr.. Wysor when asked him
the other day IL he would be a candidate,
Then he added In his ENTHUSIASTICALLY
frank way: "But expect WILL"
noe RACnM tn