The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-15
PRIMARY IS
THE ISSUE
Friends of the Principle Are
Confident Of Big Vic
tory Here.
WANT -MR. A. B. WILLIAMS.
His Name Being Pressed for
Delegate From Monroe Ward.
Local Gossip

The decisions OF the City Democratic
Committee to allow the voters to express
themselves on the question of maintain
ing tile present primary principle of
nominating candidates for United States
senators and State officers, has thrown
new life into the fight for delegates to
the State Convention, and great activity
I is looked for In the primary, which will
be held on May 24th.
There is no question that Richmond Is
Overwhelmingly a primary stronghold,
aru no open fight will be made on this
principle, which has become tenet
OF party faith in the State. 1t is the
popular belief that the rank and file Of
this party is thoroughly in favor Of this
plan OF naming candidates for public
office, and by no means all the local
politicians are against 1t.
MI. w. p. Leaman. who Is strong in
his section of the city, said last night
that he was an out and out primary
man. and that he believed his precinct
Fourth Madison, would give an almost
unanimous vote that way
Others in Line.
Mr.. Clyde W. Saunders, of Clay Ward,
fators the general principle of primary
| elections, but he does not think that the
/ minor State officers should be subjected
| to the expense OF canvass before the
| people at large.
| The primary advocates are hard at
/ work already. and they are confident
! that the city will roll up heavy vote
| in favor of sustaining the principle 1t
looks now as If there will be little op-
| position to the Parker candidates for
delegates in the various wards. but that
whatever fight may arise Will be over
the primary matter. The latter PROPOSE
ton is a plain and simple one. Tho
words primary and ''antl-primary" Will
he printed on the tickets and the voter
| will. erase one or the other as his wishes
| In the matter may dictate.
President Commended.
j On very hand one hears President
! Meredith, of the Parker Campaign Club.
| commended for the high manner in which
| no met the delicate task of naming the
| Nominating Committee for the club in
| tha various wards, = These committees
Will meet tomorrow and Will withhold
the nanes of the candidates selected un-
til tho next meeting of the club which
VIII probably be held Tomorrow or
Tuesday night,
There is good deal of gossip concern
ing the probable personnel of the candl-
dates to be recommended. but all factions
and interests seems satisfied that good
men will be chosen, as In naming the
committees on, nominations President
faI ,fy,o,, nay,, TO,
from both wings of the party.
Want Mr.. Williams.
In the talk that Is going around con-
! cernlng delegates, the name OF Mr., Alfred
! b. Williams, Is often heard as a suitable
man to be on the ticket In Monroe Ward.
! and 1t Is not unlikely that he will he
I put on by the committee. The friends OF
4 Mr., Williams are pressing his claims
/ without his knowledge or consent though
| 1t is believed he will accept the honor II
Ut is conferred upon him.
! He is at present out of the city on n
| little fishing trip, but his friends wero
/ busy presenting his name to the Monroe
| Ward Nominating Committee last night.
Mr., Williams takes an active Interest in
politics, both as citizen and news
/ paper man, and is regarded as a vigorous
Leader for clean party methods.
Meet Issue Fairly.
The gentlemen composing tho various
nominating committees have delicate
tasks 10 perform. but they are men who
do not shirk' responsibilities and who
may be rcle upon to do their duty as
| they see It.
me next meeting Of the Parker Club
| promises to be we'll attended and full
OF public interest
In discussing the primary question yes
cast on the proposition In the City Com
mlttee OH Friday night While 1t was
not an absolute expression OF the In
| dtyldual members on the principle, II Is
| regarded nevertheless as showing that
| the body Is strongly in favor OF State
primaries and that the members also
favor allowing the broadest expression
~ the neopIe on the subject,