The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-01

After more than an hours debate
last night the city Democratic COM
mittee nominated James E. Cannon
as candidate for the state senate, to
fill the vaeancy left by the resigna-
ton of SenX*or Folkes, who retired
to enter the service of the city on
the administrative board.
The nomination came as &urprise
to even some of those who voted tor
him, for II had been stated AROUND
Murphy's hotel. where the meeting cf
the committee was held. that 1t SEEM
ed certain Samuel L. Kelley would be
the successful man.
Several of those who were record
ed as voting for Cannon had been
counted as Kelley men. but at tho
drop of the flag they indicated other
preference.
With the withdrawal of Major Mar
tin. the field was opened to all comera
Many names we're suggested on tho
streets. and in tha hotels yesterday.
Kelley's name was uppermost in all
conversations. AT a late hour In the
afternoon, Clyde w. Saunders. who
voted for Kelley, and then offered the
motion TO make Cannons nomination
unanimous. was in the air. He frank
ly said that he could draw no deduc-
tons nor conclusions.
No Feeling Displayed.
While the line was closely drawn.
there was no feeling displayed on tho
part of any one The staunchest sup
porters Of Kelley. after 1t was all over.
declared their loyalty to the party and
its nominee, and Immediately pledged
themselves to work hard for the cleo
. L. - A.
veloped.
Some of those who voted for Can.
non did so because they felt the nom-
| nation OF Kelley, who had been ac-
tive in the interests of the liquor men.
might stir up strife and opposition In
| the party. They did not decry this
ability of Mr.. Kelley.
Mr.. Cannon, the nominee. was de.
feated by a very small vote at the
recent primary for candidates for the
house OF delegates. The late Captain
John A. Curtis led him by but
corporals guard. while the success
full candidate at the bottom OF tho
ticket. d. j. Toney, won by slim
majority. 1t was conceded that Mr..
Cannon had made a splendid run.
Coming into the arena. as he did. conn
paratvely unknown to the general
public, he had made but few speeches
before he became something of fav-
orite. lie was said that if the canvass
had gone few days more he would
have been elected.
While the nomination OF Mr.. Cam
non closes the Incident so far as the
city committee is concerned 1t liz not
certain but that there may be others
in the field when the general elec-
ton is held on January 9Th. The Re-
puhltcans may place a man In the
field. There may be an independents
candidate.
Debate as to Procedure.
Before the committee got down to
brass lacks. there was some debate
as to procedure. DIR. Darlington or
fered resolution declaring 1t the
sense of the committee that the best
interests of the party and the peo-s
pie might be subserved through -
primary.
Hodges and Saunders disagreed
with DR.. Darlington. and wanted to-
know where the money was coming.
| from to finance the primary. Nh.
Saunders stated that what little
money the committee had should be-.
used for the purpose of fighting the
common enemy. not to be used In
fights within the party.
MIR. Hodges agreed with Mr.. Sann~a
ders, while saying that he favored
primaries on almost any occasion. He8
SAID the ComTlltiee represented IH0s
people. and the people didn't want t0
be bothered with another primary m
such a small matter rs this.
Chairman Price explained that IN
had looked into the requirements OF
the Byrd bill and the rules OF tho
committee. and he had reached the
conclusion that 1t would be perfectly.
proper for the committee to nominato
If II so desired.
Mr.. Evans spoke In favor Of the
primary, as did Mr.. Mosby. while
Messrs. Purcell and Pettis spoke
against It. MIR. Saunders favored ~
primary II enough money could -
seen to finance the election, but 49,
against II otherwise. especially ~ th4g
committee had the right to nominAtAs
Messrs. Duke and Blanks thou1hG
| II would be best to leave the n,AtfN4
open and let any one who desired IL
do so enter the election on Jannax&
9Th. as
A resolution to this effect 49, 04ss