The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-27
FEAR COMMITTEE
MAY BLUNDER|N
NAMING MEMBER
Probable Nomination of
Martin Provokes
Criticism.
FRIEND ASSERTS
HE HAS RESIGNED
Letter Said to Have Been Sent
: on Wednesday to Chairman
Price, Who Is Out of Town.
Democrats Want No In
dependent in Sena-
torial Race.

Tho announcement printed yesterday
that the City Democratic Committee
would in all probability nominate
Major Miles N. Martin for the State
senate TO succeed T.. c. Folkes pro-
voked much criticism In view Of the
fact that Major Martin is a member
or the committee which will make tho
domination The point was very clear
~. emphasized that there is no per-
sonal or political objection TO Major
Martin except on the ground that II
would be unwise for the committee to
name one OF It's members when it's
nomination virtually amounts to an
election.
SAYS He Has Re.igned.
After friends OF other candidates,
members OF the committee and poll
ucians had discussed the question at
great length. The Times Dispatch
learned late last night from one OF
his campaign managers that Major
Martin had sent his resignation as
member OF the city committee to
Chairman Price on Wednesday. and
that II had not been accepted for the
reason. OF course. that no meeting
mad been held since its receipt. Chair
man Price was out OF the city last
night. though IL is assumed that the
document is In his mail. other mem
bers OF the committee had not heard
OF the resignation
y friend or the chairman SAID that
Mr.. Price was under the impression
that MAYOR Martin would not he Il
candidate because of the fact that he
holds membership on the committee
while from other sources came the
bold statement that Major Martin had
enough pledges TO insure hs ncmina-
tion on the fist ballot.
In the linn. "a arft
who was chairman OF the city com
Intttee was defeated in Lee Ward and
In few weeks he resigned as chair
man, James II. Price being elected to
succeed him. His resignation as n
member could be accepted at the next
meeting, which will be called to nom
mate n Senator.
Call Attention to State Law
Attention was called yesterday to
the fact that under the law the Cen
cral Assembly cannot elect one or It's
members 10 n paid Office. The same
law applies to the city Council. \
few years ago when the board OF d.
rcctors OF the State Penitentiary
elected Major ] f. Wood. one OF its
members, to the position or superin-
tendent, the protest became so strong
that the Legislature passed n
law TO stop that practice. While
members OF the city committee con-
tend that the law cannot apply to that
organization. they are firmly OF opin-
ion that the spirit should be respect
cd and does apply.
There is no doubt about tho fact that
a bitter contest is now being waged
for the seat in the Senate from the
city OF Richmond. AS scCn as Governor
Mann issues formal writ for spe-
cial election. which he has announced
he Will do on advice Of the Attorney
General. tho City Democratic Commit
tee will be called TO make party
nomination. Chairman Price said yes
terday that the meeting would be call
ed as early as possible next week. The
Governor has stated that the special
senatorial election will be ordered for
November 4. the date of the general
election. In making n party nomina-
ton. 1t Is necessary to give thirty days
notice so that the name of the candi-
date may appear on tho official ballot
Don't Want an independent.
While not authorized, as he explain
cd, to speak for the committee. Chair
man Price said he felt certain IL would
nominate, that seemed the simplest
and most practicable plan as we'll as
the one provided by tho party ma
chinery, and for which there was ex-
ccllent precedent
But in view of the important ques-
tions which will come before the next
session of the General Assembly and
year hence TO take up the big problem
of taxation. business people and Demo-
cratic leaders expressed the hope that
the committee Will act wisely that
there Will be no fear of an independent
candidate to oppose its nominee. In
general election the bars arc thrown
down; the right of suffrage is not con-
fined exclusively to Democrats.
If by any chance an independent
should be elected. he would be deprived
of the right to participate in Demo-
cratic caucus. and the representation
from Richmond would be cut in half
in the State Senate Members of the
committee who admitted their respon-
slbility to the people and the party
said last night that the situation was
one which required sane and delicate
handling Some of them expressed the
fear that If a member of the city COM
mittee should be nominated, violent
protest might be raised. as was the
case in the election OF Major Wood by
the penitentiary board, and that it
might result in bringing forward a
strong man as an Independent cantli-
date In the general election.
Major Martin Popular.
Major Martin Is exceedingly popu-
lar with his associates on the COM
ing, he has worked hard and faithful
" for tho Democratic party, and his
ability is recognized. If he were not
n member Of the committee, his nomi-
nation 1t Is said, would give general
approval throughout the city. But as
the members see 1t, there is danger in
his nomination, however much they
might personally desire TO honor him.
(Continued on Third Pare)