The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-21
Frien DIS Of Norfolk
Judge Decline to Deny
or Confirm Report.
SOUTHWEST FAILS
TO GET TOGETHER
Ten Candidates for Supreme
Bench to Go Before Caucus
To-Night-Vote Is Much
Divided, and Many
Ballots May Be
Necessary.

While the report lacked confrma-
tion. it was said last night that the
name of Judge Joseph 7. Lawless. OF
Norfolk, would not be presented to the
Democratic caucus tonight. Friends
of Charles w. Coleman asserted that
he had more than majority vote In
the caucus. They contended. moreover.
that I'm view of this fact, it made no
difference whether Judge Lawless
mained In the race or got out. although
they claimed to have ground for the
statement that he would withdraw.
1t was impossible to secure any eX-
preston or statement from prominent
Norfolk men in the city who are known
TO be working in behalf OF Judge Law,
less. For q long while he has realized
that bitter fight was to be made upon
him., and he Is said to have stated re-
contest to the end. Just how far his
supporters have gone In advising him
Of the true situation does not appear.
though the talk was everywhere last
night that his name would not 20 be-
fore the caucus. The fact that none of
his close friends was prepared to deny
by the Coleman faction. was accepted to
mean that the fight is over, and that
Mr.. Coleman Will be nominated.
The Supreme Court Fight.
The Supreme Court contest is by no
means SO near conclusion. and will
probably take many ballots to deter
mine the result. Efforts made last
night to get the Southwest candidates
together were without success, though
they may be renewed to-day. IF Roam
oke be included in the Southwest there
are five active candidates from that
of Judge Joseph Kelly. of Bristol. made
q written proposition to submit the
question Of who should be the South
Democratic Senators and Representa-
tives from the Southwest section, in
Guiding Roanoke and Craig Counties.
s.,,eelined In n<writing, suggesting MS an
alternate proposition that the matter
OF the Southwest candidate be left to a
preliminary vote OF the entire Demo-
cratic caucus.
In 1893. when the entire caucus was
elected. the caucus by resolution di-
sions. and proceeded to pick one Judge
from each, Judge John a. Buchanan
who is retiring. having been shosen as
whole caucus The Kelly forces claim
now that conditions are widely diff
ferent. in that there is but one judge
lections of the Southwest candidate by
n preliminary State caucus would mere
ly give to members supporting East
say who OF the Ave Southwest men
their candidate would be most willing
to oppose.
The correspondence between friends
of the candidates has not been made
public, and may be renewed to-day
Mnny Candidates In Field.
While the Southwest claims mem-
bership on the Supreme bench, holding
that there should be one member OF
the court in reach of Wytheville, one
of the sitting places of the court the
Southside. Tidewater and Piedmont sec
tions do not admit it. nor Is there any
thing in the service of asSupreme Court
Judge, 1t Is asserted, to make it neces-
sary that me come from any special
section.
The candidates whose names will go
before the caucus are Judge Joseph l..
Kelly. OF Bristol. Judge William p.
Burns, Of Lebanon: Judge Francis, b.
ton, of Wise, and Judge Waller r. Sta
pies. OF Roanoke, all regarded as South
west Virginia candidates Judge Jesse
F; West, of Wayerly; Judge Frederick
w Sims, of Louisa; Judge Thomas w.
Harrison. of Winch ester; John w.
Chinn. Jr.. OF Richmond County, and
Judge r. r, Prentis, Of Nansemond.
Friends of all the candidates are ac-
tive. and the vote is much divided, 1t
being generally agreed that it will
take a number of ballots. and that the
result will not be certain until the
weaker candidates are eliminated.