The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-10
CAMP AIGh BEGINS
EARLY IN NEW YEAk
Political Activity Due as Soon
as Christmas Holidays
Are Ended.
SEVERAL CONTESTS AHEAD
Review of Situation 10 Date as
Regards Democratic Pri-
mary of 1915.

AS soon as the Christmas holidays
have ended, and the stenoBraphers
begin to rub out the inadvertent "l3l-
and rewrite it 1913, sundry citizens OF
Virginia will take the money they
have lett after settling the DIES anu
will make preparations TOR the next
political campaign. Some candidates
will probably open headquarters very
early in the New Year, so as TO lose
no time in making the voters oi the
Commonwealth acquainted with their
fitness for a place in the fields OF OH
cial usefulness.
The campaign for Governor holds
for Nirginians as rule, greater m
terest than any other The presl-
dency not only seems rather remote
and Virginia's voice 50 small, Out
everybody knows in advance for whom
her electoral votes viii 'oe cast. SO.
for that matter, do they know that a
Democrat will be chosen 10 preside
over the destinies OF the Old Do
minion at the election OF next Novem-
Der The real interest is in the cam
paign that precedes the primary quad
iennially held by the Democrats.
Always Contest.
There is near-y always warm
light. Except when J. Hoge Tyler was
2 candidate In 1891. no one mas been
permitted in many years TO win the
domination without a struggle.
other State officers are 10 be chosen.
and these frequently develop inter-
csting situations. In 4 majority OF 10
calitles, candidates for the Legislature
are nominated at the same time.
adding t. the work done in getting
out the vote.
In the election OF November. 1913.
the voters OF Virginia VIII elect a
Governor. a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, an
Attorney General. secretary OF the
Commonwealth State Treasurer. a
Superintendent Of Public Instruction.
and a Commissioner Of Agriculture
and Immi grafton. They Will also
choose new House Of Delegates en-
tire. The present state Senate hoIds
over for two more years. SO Ear.
there is but one vacancy IN sight IN
the upper body of the Legislature
from the city Of Richmond. where
Senator +. &. Foxes VIII. in few
days. tender his resignation. alter
many years service in the General
,ssens~ly ~. to become member OF the
Administrative Board of the city on
January l
The real choice, as has been said.
will be in the State primary. which
VIII be held III tne summer. prODao4s
IL August. 1t is likely to De pre-
ceded by months of vigorous cam
palgnIng.
Probable Candidates.
Henry C. stuart, Of Russell. is one
of the candidates for the nomination
for Governor. lie is positively in the
field, and it is probable that he VIII
soon be actively so. Harry ST George
Tucker. of Rockbridge is an asp!rant.
and. while his friends connect his name
frequently with q possible appoint
ment TO high Federal position. IL IS re-
garded as more likely that he would
prefer TO be Governor. The name Of
Westmoreland Davis. OF LOudoGn, has
been used as a possible candidate, but
he has made no statement
For Lieutenant-Gover there IS
yet no avowed candidate. J. Taylor
Eilyson, the incumbent. has not de-
rermined II he viii accept renomina-
ton. but i 10 the general impression
that h Will
Attorney-Generai Samuel ". VII
liams will unquestionably seek re-elec-
ton No one has as yet appeared 70
measure swords with him. although
several names have been tentatively
suggested.
The friends Of Colonel B. .. James
are Of the opinion that he Will be hard
to beat for reelection as Secretary
Of the Commonwealth TIE same
conviction IS deep-rooted In the
minds of the adherents of Asher
W. Hartman. who has held the
KEYS OF the strong box OF the Com
mon wealth for many years The duties
of these two officials do not bring
them largely in contact with the pub
lie. and i, is difficult matter for
them 10 make enemies.
Difficult Position.
on the other hand. the office OF
Superintendent Of Public Instruction
TOUCHES every community, no matter
how small. in the safe. Local and
private grievances almost invariably
ind their way 20 the office in Rich
mond where the blame Is laid. super
intendent EEgIestOn has no opposition
so far. but in the event he IS not
candidate for this Office there Will be
at least three men in the Held-Sec-
rotary r. &. Stcarnes. Robert Lee Blan-
ton and Hugh : Bird.
J. Thompson Brown has already an
] nounced he will again be candidate
against Commissioner George ". koin-
er as head 81 the Department Of ASri-
! culture The name Of 4 B. Thorn
! hill. OF Appomattox. has been sue
. gesrcd BY officials Of the Farmers Co
operative and Educational Union Of
Virginia
The campaign FOR the LEGISLATURE
has alrea adj begun in Franklin CoE1-
u. where A primary has been called TO
nominal. a member Of tho House on