The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-06
Would Hardly Accept II the
Honor We're rendered.
BELIEVED TO DESIRE
:. SEAT IN THE SENATE.
otate Primary Plan to Be a Lively Issue
In the Campaign Next Year-Lead-
ers Said to Have Talked Mat
tsrs Over at Hot Springs,
and Determined to
Make a Big Fight.

.- # 81 Z &
Make a Big Fight. n,
There has been good dead Of talk re-
Gently In political circles. concerning the
putting forward of Governor "A. ]. Monta-
que as the nominee OF the Democratic
party for ce-President in 1901 and from
Washington comes story to the effect
that the Virginia Democratic leaders
there, are heartily In favor Of the move.
I In discussing tho matter last night His
Excellency would not DO interviewed FUR
tller than TO say that he was not candl-
j date, and knew Of no conceivable circum-
stance, which would induce him to accept
the nomination II It should be rendered
him.
It Is known to the close friends OF the
Governor that he has been urged by prom
& inent Democratic leaders In many States.
Including New York, Wisconsin, Massa-
chusetts and others, to enter the lists for
second place on the ticket, but It Is not
believed here that he will consent TO do
80.
Those who enjoy the confidence OF H!s
Excellency, have no idea that he asprea
to but one other public office within the
/ gift OF the people, and that is a seat IN the
United States Senate to succeed the Hon.
& Thomas 8. Martin. 5H
I. "a DON'T. WANT HIM sHELvED.
rhe Governor Is young man. and his
friends both In Virginia aud elsewhere.
b.lievo that there are brilliant posslbili-l
ties before him. and many OF them would
not desire to SEQ him shelved with a NOM
inaton for the vice-presidency, how
ever distinguished might be deemed the
temporary honor.
Governor Montague has never said Tor
mally :hat lie was candidate Tor the
4 Senate but he Is regarded as a strong
possibility for the honor. even by those
who are opposed to him In politics.
1t Is tho opinion of many well posted
Democratic leaders that that wing OF the
party in Virginia which has always IA
rored caucus nominations for the United
states Senate are quietly, but persistenly
at work all over the state with
view to discrediting the State
primary plan, and to render It
unpopular with the masses. so that when
the next State convention meets. there
viii be a possibility Of breaking It down.
WILL FIGHT FOR IT
Those leaders who fought the matter out
before the people and wrote inc pf,nel'
nlo In the platform of the party In Nor
folk two years ago are not unmlndful or
that ia said to be going on. and It looks
now as II the question might be q very
live one when the campaign comes on
next year to elect delegates to the state
convention. So deeply is the principle OF
tho primary system said TO be imneadeo
q the hearts OF the Democratic people O!
!. the state, that those who favor u contend
ma m leader will be 80 bold as to oppose
Il openly, but that II by violating Its pro-
,,Isinns here and there over the State. II
cnn bo urged in the convention that 1t is
no"lonrer binding as 1t has already been
dIsregarded. That there Will be a powerful
hattIa3 at the proper timo to sustain the
nosition taken on the question BY the
last state convention. there Is but llttle
doubt and Il fierce fight on these hnes
throughout the State next spring Win thls
end IN view would cause no serera' gene SUI
prise. s
WAS TALKED OVER.
Tt ia rumored IN political c.rcies
that the matter was talked over az soHe
ieneth by prominent leaders at the Ho'
+ sSnI nnr1nos during the recent sessions of the
tsar Association, and that while this cues,
tinn nf Senatorial candidates was no.
a,acnsscd it was determined that TINS
reform wrought by the people througr
their REPRESENTATIVES in convention. as
sembled, should not be wrested roH
them at one fell swoop without strus'
gle, I, =, -, :, advocate.
The contention Oh the primary huNoeAtN'
a. that the plan made by the state com
nittee, under the direction of.the con
vention. is not heing given a fair tria!
Is and that while It may need some amena
rrantsI with the view to perfectng IT., ye
the prlnciple Is what the people desire
and there are strong men IN the stat
uho. 5if need be, will go out ana nsh
Tor il before tho masses against all com
There are many things Which hav'
happened recently to strengthen the plal
and to inspire the masses to uphold y
provisions Hon, ]. Taylor Ellyson' eha'r
man of the State COMMITTEES; Hon' q,
Braxton and many other strong eaua,
who are not identified with any parue
ular faction OF the party have dec!are'
that they believe the plan should p
given q full and fair trial as to all once
fol which twas created before )uagmeh
is passed upon IT,
is STRONGLY SUPPORTED,
Those who favor Its provisions are say
+ abide 1t this year when he was declare
the nominee In the absence Of opposition
and that his colleague should be place
,,pon the same footing, 1t cannot b
learned that there was any formal cor
ference at the Hot Springs on the sui
iect, nor Is 1t definitely known who dis
cussed it, hut what seems to be a we
founded rumor Is to the effect that som
strong leaders informally talked the si1
uation over, and determined u need ~
10 wage battle next year In favor (
sustaining the will Of the people, as re
flected through their convention held 9
Norfolk " !sol' ~.