The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-23
FIGHT CONFINED
TO FEW SECTIONS
Campaign for Legislature With
out Interest in Majority
OF Counties.
DEMOCRATS ARE GAINING
Will Win New Seats i'll Ninth.
Rockingham Fight Is
Spectacular.

To any one attempting to look into
matters political in large majority
of the counties and in nearly every
city in Virginia. it would be difficult
indeed to realize that within two
weeks there will be an important cleo
ton. at which Will be chosen a gem
eral Assembly which will redistrict
the State for congressional and legis-
lative representation, which will elect
some of the most important officers at
the seat of government and which,
more than all. will have for its solu-
ton most difficult problems pertaining
to that issue which of all others comes
closest to the citizen-the proper and
equitable adjustment of the burdens
of taxation.
Cities do not elect officers at this
time, save to fill an occasional vacancy
as is the case with the City Collector
OF Richmond. About the only eXcep-
ton is in the choice for u clerk for
the Circuit Court of this city. In tho
legislative districts In which seven
teen of the cities are located there
is no opposition to the Democratic
nominees, while only in stanton
Radford and Bristol is there con-
test.
All Counties Elect Officers.
On the other hand. every county in
the State will choose a full quota of
county offices. including clerks of Cir
cult Courts, treasurers, sherins at
torneys for the Commonwealth, COM
missoners of the revenue, supervisors
constables, justices of the peace and
oVerseers OF the poor. IN most in
stances these officers have been chosen
by Democratic primary or convention
while there are counties where a free
for-all fight is heing maintained. Re
Publicans arc contcsting for these of
hces In about 20 per cent. of the coun-
ties.
The spectacular nature of the fight
In Rockingham has forced that county
in the limelight. AS the day of cleo
tion approaches, the atmosphere
Grows warmer, and every inch of
ground Is being combatted. Not only
has Senator George B. Keezell been
beset by engagements to the front of
nim' to the right of him. to the left OF
him and behind him, but the cannon
OF the enemy is being directed against
the Democratic legislative ticket. Cap
tam John Paul, the Republican nomi-
nee for the State Senate. Is the referee
OF the Taft administration for the
seventh Congressional District, and his
friends will attempt to turn every
trick to secure his election, so that he
may be considered in Washington as
having made good at home.
Stamping the County.
Representative James Hay stymped
the county during the past week. an
pealing to the Democrats to get to-
gether and stand by the nominees.
Speaker Byrd was to have done the
same thing this week. but will be de-
tanned in Richmond by legal business.
Mr.. Byrd has the novel experience
this year of getting by without Re-
publican opposition in his district of
Frederick and Winchester. AS he has
the pledges of n large majority of
party nominees, his reelection as
Speaker of the House is assured.
The Democrats of the Ninth District
expect to elect anywhere from seven
10 ten members of the Legislature,
against four in the last Assembly
They hope to make a clean sweep in
Washington county, although the con-
test between Alexander Stuart. a for
mer member of the House of Dele
gates. and Peter ]. Davenport, Repub-
lican chairman Of the Ninth District.
for the office of clerk of the court, is
regarded as close and uncertain.
Stuart Redeemed Russell
In scott the Democrats have named
NOBODY, and are concentrating their
eirorts on the election of Ezra T. Car
ter to the State Senate over John II.
Catron. Russell is now regarded as
safely Democratic for all candidates.
since the fight put up last year by
Henry c. Stuart. 1t is expected that
Or. Z. w. Grant. the Democratic can
didate for the House. will have sub
stantial majority.
AS usual, the contest in Shenandoah
county is close between the parties
with the Democrats hoping for sue
cess There are scattering fights in
other quarters. notably in Princess
Anne for the clerkship of, the ceprt.
Young In Richmond will be perfume
tory, and the same thing is true in all
the counties in this section of the
state. The vote will be very light.