The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-11


ington Ward and legislative candi-
| dates from the Manchester, Chesterfield
and Powhatan legislative district find
themselves. prominent Democrats of
the county and city met yesterday
morning in the Hastings Court. Part 2.
Tor uuiet consultation. Those pres
ent were Senator j. b. Watkins, of
Chesteriield ex-senator p. V. Cogbill.
chairman of the Chesterfield County
Democratic Club: Ben p owen. secre-
tary to Governor and chairman of Man
chester district committee, and Willis
Z. Pulliam. Lacy BEDFORD. Robert
Folkes. James Baber, all members of
the Richmond Democratic Committee,
and Dr.. f. T. Rucker. chairman OF the
Washington Ward Democratic Clubs
legislative committee.
VIII Call on Governor
While the impromptu council did not
put itself on record for an out and out
stand either way. 1t did appoint a COM
mittee consisting OF Senator Cogbill,
W. c. Pulliam and Magistrate l.. w.
Cheatham, chairman OF the Democratic
committee of Oak Grove, to use every
means to determine the legal side of
the question. The committee was in
structed to visit Governor Mann and
solicit his influence in getting a defn-
lite opinion from Attorney General Will
liams, who UP to this time has refused
to give an official opinion. Citizens
feel that Major Martins opinion as
head of the city Democratic committee
cannot In any way effect the county
district
The committee stated 1t to be It's
belief that since the Legislative dis
tricts were marked out By the Legisla-
ture. no power but the Legislature
could change them
It was pointed out that unless the
matter was settled quickly the time
limit for candidates entering their
names would be reached before any
candidate from the Manchester, Ches-
terfield. Powhatun district had been
listed. The committee appointed yes
terday morning was instructed TO
have a report ready By the middle of
this week In order that candidates
may know where they stand
u. L. Toney. who for several terms
has represented this district in the
Legislature, is put in bad situation
by the delay. So great Is his popu-
larity in the district that there is no
intimauon of a candidate to oppose
him this time IL he runs from his old
district. IT, however. 1t is definitely
decided that Washington Ward must
vote in the State elections with Rich
mond. and Mr.. Toney Is thereby dis
qualified from running in his old dis
trict. the Chesterfield and Powha Ia n
voters wish 10 know it Immediately In
order that they may have time to
select candidate to I'LL his place.
Many Of the Washington Ward vot-
ers are heartily in favor of having the
ward vote 18th Richmond and of hav-
ing Toney run as a candidate from the
united cities.
Toncy Undecided.
II could hardly allow my name q
, be mentioned as a candidate for cleo
ton from Richmond" said Mr.. Toney
yesterday. IF II Is finally decided that
cannot run from my old district. My
main reasons for taking this stand Is
the fact that would not care 10 try
10 dlsplace any of my five friends who
nave represented Richmond in previous
Legislatures. Most people feel as / do
that 1t would be unbecoming In me Il
try TO displace one of Richmond's re.
guiar delegates when have been dis
qualified from running from nv old
district. I must admit that I appre
ctate most highly the Kindness of my
| friends on both sides of the river who
nave urged me to run as a delegate
| from the allied cities, but I do not
! feel that I should enter the race.
{, There is one condition, however. up-
on which l would consent to have my
name mentioned" added MIR Toney: ..fn
case six or seven candidates came gu,
for the five representatives allowed
Richmond. would then not object 10
entering in the free-for- But II
only five names are entered for the five
! places. shall certainly not be can.
didate from Richmond. Naturally, /
should much prefer to run from my old
district. and I may say that / have
| the assurances of Speaker Byrd and
| other prominent legislators that
should be allowed TO retain, my seat In
case ] was elected from the Manches
ter. Chesterfield and Powhatan district
shall not announce my candidacy for
election from either district until a
report has been made by the committee
that was appointed yesterday morn
ing"
In either case. whether he runs from,
| Chesterfield or Richmond, MIR. Toney