The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-18
{. [. RYAN WOULD
HEAD COMMITTEE
CLAY WARD MEMBER CANDIDATE
FOR GUARDIANSHIP TO Sue
CEED MAJOR MARTIN.
MAY PETITION RECOUNT
CAPTAIN JOHN A. CURTIS TO DE-
eide TOMORROW WHETHER HE
WILL ASK INVESTIGATION OF
LAST THURSDAYS PRIMARY.

Spice was injected into the local po-
litical situation yesterday by the an
nouncement OF Edward L. Ryan, Of
Clay word. in a formal statement that
he is a candidate for chairman of the
city Democratic committee in opposi-
ton to John M. Purcell. writ e. ray
lor, DR.. c. v. Darlington and Clyde
w. Saunders. who, while not openly
avowed candidates, have been freely
talked OF TO succeed Chairman Miles
Martin.
Mr. Ryan. who was formerly chair
man Of the Henrico county Democratic
committee, L. known to be an anti
Saunders man and 1t is said was In
Vuced to come out for the place in or
der that the anti-Saunders faction
might have a man to unite on. DR..
Darlington, Mr.. Taylor and Mr.. Pur-
cell are regarded as close friends OF
Mr.. Saunders. and the latter. while
stating several days ago that he pre-
ferred to remain in the ranks and
work, being vice chairman OF the COM
mittee is looked upon as the logical
successor of Major Martin.
Mr.. Ryan's Statement.
In his formal statement yester-
day Mr.. Ryan says:
The city Democratic committee
should be a dignified clearing house
for healthy political activities, con-
dition which many good men think 1t
has not stood for in the past. II l
am made chairman a great many good
things will be stopped IL 1t is posi-
BILE to do it. I would rather see the
committee a dead thing than good
thing In the very recent past the
committee could have been better en-
ployed in Fastening further and larger
annexation rather than attempting to
throttle the whole matter by refer
ence to an electorate which represent
ed only a part of the people and part
of which was already hostile to an
nexation.
"Our city committee should be fore
most in an endeavor to make politics
a clean and high and serious business.
and ii should be ready to do its part in
uplifting the moral, civic and political
conditions under which we live. The
day of the boss and the henchman
should be forever at an end and as
the Democratic party Is now looked to
to save the republic, this committee
can do It's part in the general plan OF
uplifting politics which Is now going
on"
In giving out the statement Mr..
RYAN stated that he did not wish to
reflect upon the committee as a whole
nor any individual member OF 1t, but
he expressed the belief that some i'm
proyernent might be made in the COM
mittee's methods
The new head of the committee will
not be chosen until the December
meeting, unless Chairman Martin
should see At to retire sooner ana
there is little likelihood of that step
being taken. and in the meantime II
L. quite likely other candidates Will
develop, as there is ample time to
groom them.
May Ask Recount.
There Is a probability that a recount
Of the entire vote in last Thursday 8
primary will be asked for at the hands
of the city committee by Captain
John A. Curtis. who, as candidate
for the house of delegates. ran short
only So votes of beating the NTH
man on the ticket which meant
election. Captain Curtis Will make
up his mind tomorrow afternoon as
to whether ne will file petition for
a recount, on the ground of alleged
discrepancies in returns. While there
are no charges OF fraud thus far, II
is said that something like 500 bal
lots were thrown out for some reason
and further incompetency is alleged on
the part Of some OF the judges of cleo
ton.
Under the rules governing petit
ton for a recount a time limit OF ten
DAYS Is set. which would bring the
time of grace to an end at midnight
Saturday. II discrepancies, mac
curancies or fraud OF any sort is dis
covered the city committee has the
power to order new primary.