Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-26
POLITICS IN VIRGINIA
EXCITING PROSPECTS OF THE
FORTHCOMING CAMPAIGN.
Promises to Be Most Sensational Con-
test for Governor and United States
Senatorship Ever Held.


claim that they will have more politics in
the Old Dominion this year than can he
found in any state of the Union, excepting
Kentucky of course where the pot is al
ways boiling and off years in politics are
hotter than the end of a red-hot political
campaign in other states. But there will
be two great political battles fought in Nir-
ginia this spring and summer. The en-
gagemcnt presaging the struggle for the
democratic nominations to state offices and
the United States senatorship has opened
ana while tic big guns have not been
brought into action the musketry of poti-
cal pamphlets and interviews, with one or
two speeches, and much "cote-day" hand
shaking. Is heard already.
When the battle for the democratic nomi-
nations shall have been fought and won
the fight for election will come up. and ii
is promised by republicans that 1t shall be
warm one real battle. The republican
party of the state has been reorganlzed,
new blood has been put in control, and
upon representations made by leading re-
publiCanS that they could elect a governor
next fall If gwen federal encouragement.
President Roosevelt has seen to it that the
patronage shall he dispensed by men who
will make it count for most in benefiting
the republican party.
First Primary Election.
For the first time in the history of the
dignified old commonwealth democratic
nominations to state offices are to be made
in primary election. At the state Conven-
ton at which Governor Montague was nom
mated four years ago a plan of making
nominations in a primary was adopted. 1t
applies TO the SovernorShip, the senator
ship the Office of secretary of the COM
monwealth. state treasurer superintendent
of public instruction. and commissioner of
agriculture, as well as to members of Con-
gresS.
hat sfr Ga into
appears to center about the struggle for the
senatorship rather than the governorship.
The personality of the two men who are
candidates for the position of United States
senator probably has much to do with the
great interest attaching to this contest.
Senator Martin first sprung into public
notice and attracted national attention
when he defeated Fitzhugh Lee for the
United States senate in 1893. He is law
yer. and good one. He had been mem
Der of the democratic state committee for
many wears. and while he had never taken
an active public part in the campaign of
Virginia, his advice was sought and relied
upon by those who conducted the political
battles.
Senatorship Cherished Hope.
He had cherished from early manhood a
desire to enter the Senate and when op-
portunity seemed to offer he went after the
position. He got it after one of the most
holly contested fights in the history of the
in primary then and a campaign had not
been made by either candidate to secure
the support of members of the legislature.
The result of the contest was matter of
doubt until the vote was taken. Gen. Lee.
once governor of the state, and backed by
the tremendous social influence which the
family commands in Virginia. in addition
to the confederate support, which was
much stronger In those days than 1t is to-
day, was surprised beyond words when he
found formidable opposition to his election
to the Senate. When he was defeated, and
the Albemarle lawyer came to the Senate,
the surprise of a majority of the people
of the state was greater than had ever been
manifested in the history of Virginia. In
1898 Senator Martin was opposed for the
Senate by Governor Tyler, who was serv-
ing his term as governor. Senator Martin
was elected by an overwhelming majority.
Gov Montague's Hopes.
Now Governor Montague, undismayed by
the fate of his predecessor and protesting
confidence in his ability to win the prize,
has entered the lists against the Senator
The outcome of the battle Is matter of
much doubt. Governor Montague has dem
onstrated that he is strong with the people.
He defeated Representative Swanson for
the gubernatOrial nomination four years
ago, after a hot speaking campaign. AL
though without remarkable intellectual en-
dowment, Governor Montague is an orator,
and in Virginia OratOry counts for more
than in any state of the Union. The gov
ernor stirs a crowd only Senator Dan
iel can. and that his speeches make votes
was demonstrated in the campaign Of four
years ago when he broke with the ma
chine in Virginia, and going on the stump
in his own interest. swept the state, cdptur-
ing many more delegates than necessary to
the nomination. He succeeded in creating
q machine of his own which was soon
in smooth running order, and this machine
has been carefully tended since. 1t is be
neVed 1t Will render as good services as II
did four years ago, though il may not en-
able him To win out. Senator Martin has
an enthusiastic following. He has made an
excellent Senator. The enthusiasm which
Governor Montague is able 10 create among
the voters is dangerous to any opponent.
Gubernatorial Contest Tri-Cornered.
The guLcrnatoriaI contest is tri-cornered.
The candidates are Judge William Hodges
Mann, of Prince Edward county. Represent
tative Claude y. swanson, of the fifth dis
triCt who was AN unsuccessful candidate
for the goveruorship four years ago, and
Lieutenant Governor Joseph +. Willard,
who is well known in Washington. spending
much Of his time there. He is the principal
owner of the New Willard. and has other
large interests in that city. His home is in
Fairfax county. but he spends much OF his
time in Richmond, where he and his wife
and little girl reside in a handsome Frank
lin street home
Mr.. Willard is a very wealthy man. but
the simplicity of his manners and his deep
welfare have made him exceedingly popular
with all classes
Judge Mann has been a member of the
Virginia state senate and is a lawyer of
ability. lie is the author of the Mann liquor
law enacted several years ago, which has
come near 10 making Virginia "A prohibition
state. The law provides that in order to
secure license to sell liquor at a place
where there is not police protection a ma
jority Of the voters at the precinct in which
1t is proposed the saloon shall be located
shall sign the application. The result has
been that nearly three fourtns of the one
hundred counties Of Virginia have been
made prohlbitiv".
The Temperance Sentiment.
The temperance sentiment of the state IS
very strong. 1t is expected 10 go to Judge
Mann. He is the only one of the three can
didates who is a confederate veteran (Mr
Wizards father was an officer in the Union
army and while the confederate vote in
Virginia is not large as it was ten years
ago, fl Is considerable.
Judge Mann for many years counsel
for the Norfolk and Western Railway Com
pany. If he should have the support Of
fa ri, -, ..ll IA