Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-21
HOUSTON HAS STRONG
SUPPORT FOR SPEAKER
reported That Edwin y. Cox Is Be-
ing GroOmed for Impor-
tant Office.
POLITICAL poT rs BOILING
Judge Martin Williams Spoken or for
nant-Governor-C. j. Duke
May Run for Treasurer Of Norfolk
County-Other Gossip.

Hard upon the heels OF the uncon-
Nrmed announcement that Speaker Ed
win II. Cox will not stand for re-elec-
. non AT the end Of his term comes the in
lercsting report that the Speaker has
nccn groOmcd by his friends In the Gen
"rai Assembly for some months past for
an Office Of greater emolumcnt. and an
'ih"r story which related TO the as
pirttiona of Judge Martin Williams,
hoor leader of the House, to the lieu
tenant -govcrnorship.
Speaker Cox declined TO commit him
hclf when the rumor Of Ills prospective
ictir"ncnt was communicated to him
several days ago by a Times Dispatch
reporter. lie declined to discuss the
matter for publication. Delegate Harry
H. Houston who has been assured Of
The support OF n large number OF the
members or the House since the re-
port of the Speakers intention 10 re-
'ire became known, Was even more
i"'iccnt. Prominent members of tho
h"dy admitted yesterday afternoon,
n"wevor. that they had urged Mr..
Houston to announce himself in tho
event that Mr.. Cox should decide not
10 stand for reelection. They regard
MIN as the logical man for Speaker by
virtue OF precedence In many respects
HOUSTON HAS FINE
LEGISLATIVE RECORD
Flattering tributes have been paid to
nc member from Elizabeth City County
ny veterans OF the Legislature. lie has
served ten years In the House and has
DISTINGUISHED himself as nm Indomitable
party worker. an able and earnest de-
batter. aggressive. even tempered, re-
sonrcctul and with n happy faculty for
Nceping his antagonists and his assoc
GATES alike in good humor when en-
Gagged In n legislative tight. This fac
nity has won for him the personal
friendship NJ sc tee r.
whole House
When Speaker Cox was elected for
3 the last session Mr.. Houston was CON
eedcd by tho friends Of Mr.. Cox TO be
. MS most formidable opponent. but at
I mo eleventh hour the Elizabcth CITY
member withdrew. There was no
compact. but II was noted that when
VIZ houston was nominated for the
F. craftsmanship OF Tho Democratic caucus
( = position In which he has succeeded
IN STRENGTHENING his hold upon the body
OF INC House, ~ was matter Of com
I heht that e large ma jority OF the Cox
men supported him Members OF tho
s House said last night, discussing the
situation. that they were confident the
fpeak"r would himself advocate the
candidacy OF Mr Houston for the
speakcrship
POLITICAL POT Is
STMMERING WITH RUMOR
The impression Is strong in both
hodies OF the Legislature thnt the
liouston following at this time is suf-
hcien' TO elect him to the Speakers
chair. IT the greater number OF the
members are returned TO the House I'm
the elections to be held this year. Two
",ncr members Of the House who might
show winning speed in 4 race for the
spcakcr's chair are Hugh A. White
81 Rockbrldge, and Judge Martin VIII
iams. OF Giles. But the Houston men
are confident OF the active support of
Mr. White. who is one OF the most
intimate friends of Mr. Houston, and
Judge Williams rs a candidate for Lieu
tenant Governor IS u more pleasing
prospect TO the admirers OF the floor
leader.
Out OF tho simmering OF the political
not comes the report that Delegate G.
j. Duke, OF Norfolk County. has been
virtually decided upon as the candi-
date of the 'Straightout" Democrats of
Norfolk County for treasurer The
present treasurer Of Norfolk County.
w Lyons. will stand for reelection
IN all probability.
As TO the House speakcrship. il is
expected that the successor of Speak
ct Cox will he agreed upon before the
special session of the Legislature ends
so far as the members of the present
House can settle 1t by tentative agree