Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16
MAY BE A PLOT BEHIND
Meredith May Be Republican Nom
inee for Governor.
FATHER AIDS MRS. GAYLORD
Will Not Believe She Killed Infant
Hechler to Seek Divorce From
Wife Who Assaulted Him.
kpecial Correspondence Of The Star.


put in circulation from Washington that
the 'Virginia machine" Is to abandon
Judge w. II. Mann Of Nottoway. the al
legged candidate Of the machine for the
gubernatoriaI nomination, is not clear to
the politicians Of this city.
It Is equally uncertain what Is mean
by the employment of the term machine.
True. Judge Mann is democrat, sup
ports the organization, it's nominees and
advocates its principles. He stands square,
~ for the party and its nominees.
The impression is that the term machine
Is employed In this instance to designate
Judge Mann and to arraign him for his
support of Judge William F. Rhea last
winter. when he was named for the state
corporation commission, whose nomination
was opposed by republicans Of the gen.
Sral assembly.
Judge Mann. as a member of the COM
Inittee which heard the charges, defended
the appointment made by Gov. Swanson.
1t is no secret that each Of the three
candidates for the nomination has
friends and supporters among the state
officials resident here. 1t is impossible to
tell which Of the three has the strongest
following.
Judge Mann is older. better known and
stronger with the old-soldier element than
either Of his competitors, it is believed.
Stuart has friends, especially among that
class Of democrats from the ninth dis
trict and with those who were associated
with him in the constitutional convention.
Harry st. g. Tucker. who served in
Congress with some of the state officials.
is esteemed for his own accomplishments,
his father was held.
So the origin of the report and its OBJ
ject are puzzfing the democrats in this
city. Tucker has come out in a statement
that the report is one which was news
to him and that he had never heard that
Inc was to be the beneficiary of the
abandonment Of Judge Mann.
He declares that he is making the best
fight of which he is capable. that he has
not a word to say against either oppos-
ing candidate for the nomination and
that he proposes to win on his own
merits.
friends OF other aspirants for ONCE are
seeking to attract attention to one or the
other candidate for the purpose of spring
anE another surprise at the proper time.
There are three candidates for state Of
lice from Rockbridge county. Tucker Is
anxious to be governor, Col. Robert Cat
lett asks to be made attorney general and
"A. W. Hartman wants to retain his job as
state treasurer One Of the three is GER
tain 70 be defeated.
By undertaking to concentrate support
on Tucker and then to spring the three
cornered combination on the voters might
have the effect Of driving the voters away
from Tucker at the proper time and also
away from the other two candidates and
concentrate them on other candidates, in
GLIDING one for the governorship.
Meredith for Governor.
The republicans Of the state are casting
about for q strong man for the nominal
ton for governor q year hence. Since
Wyndham r. Meredith Of this city pro-
claimed his loyalty to Judge Taft at the
meeting Of the Bar Association at Hot
Springs there has been frequent mention
of his name for that honor.
It Is not known that he would accept or
that he has political aspirations. He has
a large law practice and Is not in close
touch with politics. He has not, accord
ing to democrats of this city. supported
democratic candidate for national
Office for some years.
Since Meredith made his declaration
Tucker has announced that he will ask
Meredith to meet him on the stump and
the two parties. Tucker wants the dis
cussion to take place In this city.
Meredith has not announced his receipt
OF the challenge or what he will do in
case it Is received. He Is q good speaker
Following various publications from Hot
Springs OF tidal wave for Judge Taft,
and OF the large number Of photogra phs
OF men alleged to be Taft democrats.
joan p Branch. a leading banker OF this
city: and DR.. N. Q. Holt Of Surry. have
the use OF their names in connection with
the picture. or as favoring the election
OF Judge Taft. are both misleading and
incorrect. Others whose names were
mentioned. treat the matter as a joke.
Mrs. GayIord's Case.
Mrs. Lthel Gaylord. who came to this
city from Norfolk and who was accouched
at the city home, and who was indicted
last week for the murder OF Baby
Vaughan. founding. was today taken
TO the city jail with her infant Of little
moro than a month, to remain till her
case is called for trial.
The woman denies her guilt and lawyers
0re to be employed to defend her. Her
father. who had not written to or seen
her since the mention Of her name be-
came 20 frequent. came to this city from
Raleigh. n. c.. day or two ago and
says she has been the victim Of circum-
stances. that he does not believe her
guilty and will employ counsel to defend
her.
More than that, he says he has seen
the certificate of marriage between his
daughter and John Gaylord. and that he
loaned Gaylord $500 last winter. He Is
simply awaiting the arrival OF GAYLORD
in order to bring charges of desertion.
non-support and swindling against him.
Hechler Will Seek Divorce.
Jacob L. Hechler, victim Of an alleged
attack by Roy Ellerson and Mrs. Hechler,
10 recuperating at the city home The
man will be in the hospital for some three
weeks before he can come out and be
taken to his brothers home
He has directed his lawyers to proceed
ne is satisfied that the attempt on his
lite was plot on the part Of his wife
and her lover, Ellerson. He declares he
never wants to see her again and Is
anxious to see her suffer for her crime
said to have written to Ellerson. the con-
unit for publication.
Enforcing Pure Food Laws.
Food Commissioner Saunders Is hard
at work to enforce the pure food laws of
the state. Within the last few days he
had one OF his inspectors make a tour Of
the bakeries Of this city, and the condi-
lions reported were OF q nature to cause
alarm Not one In the city escaped the
eye Of the inspector. and not one in which
recommendations for correction of exist
ing conditions were not necessary.
In some instances the recommendations
were more or less un!mportant. but in a
great majority the changes ordered were