The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-10
WESTMORElANO DAVIS
MAY OPPOSE CARL|h
Prominent Agriculturalist Urged b.
His Friends to Run for
Congress.
CONGREGATIONAL BEES BUZZ
Brought Ont of Their Hives BY Re-
Ports that Eighth District Congress-
1917,

When friends of Charles c. Carlin,
of Alexandria, congressman from the
Eighth Virginia District. began to
boost their favorite for Governor they
intended to perform a service for him.
but unwittingly their labors had just
the opposite effect. This. of course.
provided, as Is expected. Mr.. Carlin
does not enter the gubernatorial race.
Congressman Carlin may we'll exclaim
with the many who have gone before
and have had the same experience:
Save me from my friends!"
Whether or not he can take care of
his political enemies will be demon
strated one year from next August,
when the Democratic primary. in
which Will be nominated the party's
candidate for Congress- will be held.
A Simple Explanation.
This preliminary and rather cryptic
discussion out OF the way II Is in order
to explain. The explanation Is simple.
When II was first reported that Con-
gresham Carlin might be induced to
enter the fight against J. Taylor
Ellyson, John Garland Pollard and
Richard e. Byrd. present aspirants for
the Democratic nomination for Cover
nor in 1915. congressional bees left
their hives In such numbers as to
biacken the skies and began to buzz
furiousiy around the bonnets Of all the
politicians. politicians, would-be
politicians and anybody else Ryaila BILE.
While the rumor gained ground the
bees buzzed more and more, with the
result that there is now a crop Of
potential candidates for the place now
held by the Hon. G. c. Carlin. repre-
sentative in Congress from the Eighth
Congressional District OF Virginia.
Most OF them have been mentioned
more than once. There la Crandall
Maekey, Commonwealth Attorney Of
Alexandria County; there Is r A. Nc
Intyre. OF Warren County, member OF
the State Democratic Committee:
there is Lewis II. Machen. chief Of the
State Legislative Reference Bureau and
others. Some of these are receptive
candidates. some are actively interest
ed and others are the victims of their
friends.
Davis May Make Fight.
But there is one not yet mentioned
and who may decline to run, but who
nevertheless. a possibility seriously to
be considered. both by Congressman
Carlin and those who aspire to don his
shoes He. too, has been mentioned
for Governor, and has given the mat
ter consideration. but Is now being
urged by friends all over the district to
make the race for Congress
He is Westmoreland Davis. friend of
farmers and campai9ner not TO be
despised by veterans.
Mr.. Davis has made no announce
ment of intentions and cannot be re-
garded as candidate in any sense OF
the word. at this time. at least, but
his friends are talking him seriously
and earnestly and will do their best to
induce HIM to trial OF strength with
Congressman Carlin.
Mr.. Davis Is regarded RS an excep-
tionally strong man IN his district,
especially with the farmers. That he
could wrest Alexandria city or Alex
andria County from the incumbent Is
coutsnded by few, IL any, OF his
staunchest supporters, but that he
would receive the spontaneous support
of a large number OF farmers in all
the other counties In the district is
certain.
with several candidates In the field
and Alexandria County and city almost
solid for Carlin, neither Davis nor any
one else would have a chance TO win,
but as between the two, It is maintain
ed by the Davis adherents. the fight
would be one worth watching.
Strong With Farmers.
Mr.. Davis was for some time presi-
dent Of the Farmers Cooperative and
Educational Union OF Virginia. retiring
of his own voiition. He has several
times appeared In the halls of the
Capitol as their champion and has
strong following in agricultural sec
tons throughout Virginia.
The Eighth District. his friends
point out. is an Agricultural district.
There Is but one city in the whole dis
trict and the towns are small. The
farmer holds the balance of power.
Meanwhile Congressman Carlin fs
not worrying greatly, His strength in
the district has been demonstrated. AL
though a minority nominee when he
FIRST made the fight In a Democratic
primary. he won decisively over Lind
say Gordon. of Louisa, at the follow
ing primary. although Mr.. Gordon Ia
strong in several counties and Is
good campaigner. Since that time
Mr.. Carlin has had no opposition, save
in the general election, the Repub-
cans last November making per-
functory opposition.