The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-06

Contest NOW Fully Under Way.
With the fixing of the date of the
primaries-June 17-there is increasing in
terest in the Eighth Virginia Congress
sionai contest. This district, like the
Sixth Maryland, is local to Washington.
The Capitals close neighbors live ia the
Eighth Virginia. Alexandra city and
county are in constant touch with Wash
ington- Then there is quite a large NUM-
Der Of people who do business in WASH
ington, but who have their homes across
the river in Virginia. either all the year
round or in the summer season It IS
but natural. therefore. that Washington
Is watching this contest with keen in
terest.
The district has a population Of over
10000. and Is made up Of the counties OF
Alexandra, Culpeper. Fairfax, Fauquier.
King George, Loudoun. Louisa, Orange
Prince William, and Stafford, and the
city Of Alexandria. For ten years 1t was
represented in Congress by the late John
Franklin Rixey. of Culpeper. Il is over
whelmlngly Democratic. and the Repub-
licans have rarely made a serious fight
for the seat
Aspirants in the Field.
There are at present five Democratic
candidates, namely:
Hon. C. f. Nieoi. Of Prince William.
who retired from the bench d short time
ago to make the race.
Mr. Charles G. Carlin. OF Alexandria,
who was postmaster Of that city during
Cleyeland's term.
B1r James c. Hooe. OF Loudoun County.
a native of Virginia, who has home and
farm in the Blue Ridge and is engaged
in legal business in Washington.
Hon. James +. Ryan. also Of Loudoun.
who has served in the legislature, and is
politically prominent.
Hon. r. I. Gordon. of Louisa County.
Commonwealth attorney. and a vigorous
campaigner
Organization Behind CarIin.
Mr. Carlin is an active young lawyer,
and is a practical politician of some rote.
II is a common report that what is termed
the machine in Nirgiuia-reDresented by
Senator Martin. Gov Swanson, aud the
powers that be-is favorable TO Mr. Car
lin. Il not actively az work for his cleo
ton And he is, therefore. regarded as a
most formidable factor IN the contest. He
is man of pleasing personality, a good
talker. though not an orator. and is max
ing a spirited canvass. His friends be-
iieve that he viii at the primaries poll Il
very large vote and insist that at this
time he is clearly 30 the lead.
Judge Nicol IS well esteemed on account
Of his high legal attachments and fine per-
sonal character In an address issued
soon after he retired from the bench, he
outlined the policies that he stands for.
These are national in character, and in
cluda tariff reform. the disposition Of the
Philippine Islands by sale to a friendly
power, governmental regulation OF tie
railroads, Sc
Local Issues for HOOe.
Mr.. Hooe's candidacy and line Of cam
paign have somewhat surprised his com
petit0rs Originally they were not dis
posed TO take him seriously. They made
the point that he was not a Virginlan,
but a Washingtonian. He has met this
issue vigorously by showing that he is a
resident Of Loudoun. a taxpayer. and has
been identified with the State from birth.
lie started in life a school teacher. HIS
ancestors were Firglnians. residing in
King George County. He is tabooing ma
tional issues except in a general way, and
asks the support Of the people on the
practical theory that he can best serve
the district By reason Of his extensive ac-
Quaintance with public men and his iden-
LITIGATION with the affairs Of the Capital,
His friends say for him that he Will Inn
mediately take a position in the House
which could not be attained by "a new
conner for at least four years. While not
hostile to the corporations. he has raised
one issue that promises to be a most TAX
ing one along the line of that branch OF
the Southern Railway reaching out into
the mountains. He says he viii demand
better service, better cars, and specially
improved freight facilities which will en-
able the farmers Of the entire district to
enhance their interests greatly.
Ryan and Gordon.
Mr.. Hooe is handicapped somewhat by
having a competitor from his own county
in Mr. Ryan. The latter is quite well
known by reason Of his legislative service
Up TO this time he has not entered ac-
lively into the race, but his friends say
he proposes to do SO, and that in the pri-
maries he viii develop into a formidable
factor.
Mr.. Gordon, of Louisa, as already
stated, is an aggressive campaigner, and
will be on the stump more or less until
June It.
While Mr.. Carlin is unquestionably
strong in Alexandria CITY and has good
/ following throughout the district. there is
an antagOnistiC element in Alexandria
County. it Is said which Will oppose him.
However, he apparently has NJ misgiv-
ings as TO his ability to carry not only
the city but the county, at the polls.
Only Democratic voters and white men
will be allewed to cast ballots at the prI-
maries.