The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-09
NORFOLK SENATORIAL
SITUATION IN TANGLE
Norfolk City and County Chairmen
Unable TO, Agree ON Primary
Question.
STATE CHAIRMAN May ACT
Governor Ellyson VIII Gall Confer
ence of Local Party Oficiais II
They DO Not Come to Agreement
Promptly.

Norfolk. June S.-UnIess Chairman
Leavitt, OF the City Democratic Elk
ecutive Committee, and Chairman
Old, of the Democratic Executive
Committee of Norfolk County, are
able within the next few days to get
together and decide upon a primary
for the nomination of a State SEN
atorial candidate to represent the city
and county Jointly, j. Taylor Ellyson,
State chairman, will step in and have
a hand in the matter.
Mr.. Eilyson has indicated desire
to have the two chairmen settle the
matter amicably, without the necessi-
ty of his appearance In conference.
He admitted in a letter received
yesterday by Chairman Leavitt that
1t ia now too late to have a senatorial
primary In the city and county on
August 4. He has indicated, how
ever, that a primary can be held UNI
der the provisions of the primary
plan.
Attended Conference.
Chairman Leavitt and Chairman
Old were invited last week to meet
the State chairman in Richmond on
Thursday, with the hope that the con-
ference might result In definite de-
cision in the matter. Mr.. Leavitt was
pEteEnls put MI oiu was HOl.
That the State chairman has beer
in touch with the local chairmen, fol-
lowing his conferences with Chair
man Old, of the county committee.
in which MIR. Old admitted his ina
bility to get the county committee to-
gether. is indicated In the following
telegram received by Chairman Lea
witt on May 81, wherein MIR. Ellyson
declares that he would vote in favor
of a primary If the city and county
chairmen were unable to agree;
Richmond Va. May 81.
Martin Leavitt. Chairman Demo-
cratic Committee. Portsmouth,
Your letter of May 2s received.
II | were present at the meeting of
the chairmen of your senatorial dis
trict today and you could not agree.
I should vote in favor OF a primary
on August 3.
y. TAYLOR ELLYSON"
Chairman Eliyson wired Chairman
Leavitt on June l. asking for the re-
suit Of the conference held with
Chairman Old on May 81. To which
Mr.. Leavitt replied; Nothing fur
Their accomplished by meeting held
yesterday"
On June Chairman Leavitt sent
the IOHoWllE wire 10 the Sldte ClalT-
man:
Portsmouth. Va, June 2.
~. Taylor Ellyson, Richmond. Va:
"A definite conversation with Mr..
Old this morning. He declined to as
sumo the responsibility OF calling a
primary.
MARTIN LEAvITT."
Invited TO Richmond.
Chairman Leavitt Eeceivej the fol-
lowing telegram In reply:
Richmond, Va, June 2, 1915.
Mr.. Martin Leavitt. Chairman,
Portsmouth, Va;
II learn that you and chairman OF
Norfolk County have been unable to
agree as to nomination " State Sem
ator If you cannot agree today. I
hereby write you to meet me in my
Office in Mutual Building in Nch-
mond, Thursday afternoon at 3
O'Clock. ! am acting under that pro-
vision of the primary plan that pro.
vides that the State chairman shall
act with the committee in the event
of tie or failure to act.
~. TAYLOR ELLYSON"
Chairman Leavitt went to Rich
monj on Thursday H. compliance
with Chairman Ellyson's request, and
discussed with him his conferences
WIN the county chairman. Mr. FL
lyon informed him that II he cannot
arrange with the county chairman to
call for primary, he will come here
in an effort to adjust the matter,
Mr. Leavitt has received the fol-
lowing letter from Mr.. E1lyson:
"June &. 1915.
Mr.. ?. NJ. Leavitt, Chairman, Ports
mouth. Va:
Dear Sir,--T have Just returned
from conference with Hon c. B.