The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-22
RICHARD {. BYRD
MOI. TO WITHDRAW
TAYLOR ELIYSON's
CANDIDACY.
1917 LONG WAY OFF
ALMOST ANYTHING MAY HAPPEN
BEFORE PRIMARY IL HELD.
SENATORIAL FIGHT TO
HAVE EFFECT.

Richard Evelyn Byrd is in the race
for the Democratic nomination for
Governor to stay
The entrance into the race of j.
Taylor Enyson Will not affect his
plans In the least
Mr.. Byrd has never made a formal
announcement of his candidacy and
will not make one for some time yet,
h is understood. but that he is in the
race, and has been for some time. -
known to his friends and, through
. them, to practically every ene inter-
ested in politics. The extent to whicn
his candidacy was understood by
all Ia Illustrated by the speculation
rife for the last few days around the
Capitol and IN the hotel l"uh"% as ="
what effect Mr. Eliyson's announce
ment would have upon his plans. u
was rumored that he would leave the
field clear to Ellyson and Pollard.
simply announcing al the proper time
that he had decided not to be a cam
didate Mir Byrd has other Ideas on
the subject.
THE report is without authority"
he said last night My plans arc not
changed In the least"
Mr.. Byrd would not discuss the CT
feet OF Mr. ElIyson's announcement
further than to say that 1T IS a long.
long way to 1917 and that in The
meantime almost anything might
happen.
But that fact does not prevent the
politicians from figuring Nor does
IL prevent them from talking this
candidate or that. as their inclination
or Instructions tend. They are say
Ing that the Ellyson candidacy Will
hurt Mr., Pollard by taking from him a
large part of the Richmond vote.
which might naturally have gone To
him as a resident OF Richmond. that
II also takes from him a considerable
part of the vote upon which he had
counted because of his strong church
affiliations They are saying. too, that
Ellyson will deprive Byrd OF large
part of the so-called machine" vote
as both have always been affiliated
with thn same faction Of the Demo-
cratic party.
which Mr.. E1iyson will hurt the
more-Byrd or pellard-is q live
question even today two wears before
The primary. and even though those
two years may so change the situation
as to upset all present calculations
1T all comes Of these announce
ments years before the primary. We
do not know where we are at" said
an old line politician last night.
Nevertheless. though, no one knows
what the succeeding months may
bring forth. some possibilities can be
estimated at approximately their true
value For instance westm orela nc
Davis or Harry st George Tucker Is
almost certain 10 shy his hat into the
ring The three present candidates
are prohibitionists. the two possihili-
ties are not. Both voted against
Statewide last fall, Tucker taking a
positive stand publicly during the
course of the campa On. With three
men splitting the dry vote. either na-
Wis or Tucker might see an oppor-
tunity for coming In and carrying off
the prize. Davis has never committed
himself definitely. but each time he
makes a statement he gets closer 10
the tar baby. AS for Tucker, he
keeps On saying nothing.
Again, there IA the senatorial cam
patgn due TO open UP, with promise
of excitement next spring Should
Congressman Glass and Senator Swan
son again lock horns In political bat
tie, the result OF that certain-to be-
hot campaign would have consider
able bearing on the guhernatoria'
fight. 1t might even so change the
situation and bring about such de-
cided realirnment OF forces as to
throw everything into confusion
Again. one OF the three candidates
NAV withdraw Pollard will not
Pollard Is sure. BYRD will not-Byrd
10 sure, Ellyson VIII not--Eliyson Is
sure. But
It's a long. long way to 1917