The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-08
WIIIRL WIND CAMPAIGN BETWEEN
LAMB AND WICkFIAM NEARING END
Congressional Fight Takes Sud
den Turn as Election
Day Approaches.
NONE CAN FORECAST RESULT
Both Claim Overwhelming Vic
tory-City OF Richmond Will
Decide Contest.

On the eve of the Third District Con-
sressional primary, both the candi-
dates for the Democratic nomination
are claiming victory This is a habit
that candidates have Since the dawn
of modern politics, there is no case
nominee was leading the confessedly
hopeless fight of some minor party,
in which the aspirant forecast his de-
feat.
can be no question that un-
certainty hangs around the result of
to-morrows election. This arises
largely from the apathy which existed
during most of the campaign, the sud
zen interest which has been aroused
and which has grown with astounding
rapidity during the past three days,
and the lack OF organization of the
forces of the two candidates.
Estimates of the total vote VARY
widely. and have been changed since
the debate of Thursday night in South
Richmond. Lack of public interest led
to the belief that the vote would be
very light, but the reviving activity
of day or two has introduced an ele-
ment of doubt which makes any kind
of an estimate exceedingly difficult.
Chnnge7 of Front
Men who on Thursday last, when
asked about the campaign, declared
that they had not thought about 1T
and did not intend to vote, now an
nounce that they will spend the day
at the polls in the interest of their
favorite candidate. SO sudden has
been the change in the attitude of the
public
Under these circumstances, estimates
are necessarily vague. AS matter OF
fact they have never at any time been
definite. nor have the candidates had
she sort of organization upon which
forecasts of results are usually based.
hen asked about the probable re-
suit. Captain John Lamb, the incum-
bent candidate, was uncertain. He had
no figures on the total vote likely to
be cast nor could he say anything
about what he thought the result
would be in Richmond or in any coun-
ty of the district He thought, how
ever, that he would get twice as many
votes as his opponent, Judge T. Ashby
Wickham, and that he would carry the
metropolis and every county.
For more explicit information he re-
ferred representative of The Times
Dispatch to one of his campaign man
ayers. The latter said he had no def
mite figures, but echoed the conviction
that Captain Lamb would be success
ful by large majority.
Claims Richmond.
Judge Wickham is somewhat more
clear. He was under the impression
that something more than 1000 votes
would be cast in Greater Richmond.
1t is but fair to him TO say, however,
that this estimate was given prior to
the developments of the last day or
two. and that he has made no addi-
tional figures on the new basis. since.
as pointed out above, that would be an
almost impossible task,
AS to the counties, Judge Wickham
thinks he will carry Henrico and
Goochland by large majorities. He is
doubtful about Hanover. King VIII
liam. Chesterfield, Charles City and
James City, being somewhat inclined
to give these to his opponent. New
Kent he regards as in doubt. He
thinks his majority in Henrico and
balance Captain Lambs possible ma
jorities in the other counties. and that
I'm consequence MS Richmond lead Of
1000 Will be practically his majority
in the district..;.
Judge Wic,shaya thinks that outside
OF the city somewhat under 1900 votes
willie be cast tomorrow.
shows Well In Debate.
The friends OF the Senator are much
pleased with the development in pow
ers of debate shown by him during the
campaign. They think he has not only
demonstrated his ability, OF which they
Cd t,,t !, 10
showing on the platform which they
did not anticipate.
on the other hand, Captain Lambs
supporters say that ne has lost no rea,
ground, and viii be an easy winner,
They will not concede that ne has not
defended himself effectively.
1t is, however, the recent develop.
ments, coming so unexpectedly, which
have injected an element of doubt
which puzzles the political prophets,
in view of The lack of the kind of or