Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-16
MANY ASPIRE TO SUCCEED
CONGRESSMAN JAMES HAY
Judge Thomas W. Harrison, of Win
chester, Is First in Field With
Announcement.
OTHERS ARE EXPECTED TO RUN
Valley Counties Make Strong Claims
for Representation, as Piedmont
Section Has Had Honor for Past
Twenty Years.

The appointment OF Representative
James Hay. OF the Seventh District, as
"A member OF the United States Court
OF Claims and his impending retirement
from Congress TO accept the appoint
inent caused a decided stir in Richmond
political circles yesterday, and long
distance conferences between local and
Seventh District leaders were the order
OF the day.
First among the important develop
meuts was the announcement By close
friends Of Judge Thomas W. Harrison,
Of Winchester. that he will he a candi-
date for the vacancy created BY Mr..
Hays retirement. Judge Harrison is a
former law partner Of Richard Evelyn
Byrd, former Speaker of the House Of
Delegates.
Judge Harrison's term as presiding z
judge OF the Seventeenth Judicial Cir
cuit does not expire until 1922. In
recent years ne has been frequently
mentioned as a probable candidate for
the State Supreme Court 10 succeed
Judge George NJ. Harrison, of Augusta
wheneve. he should retire from the
bench. The latter's term expires in
1919. and, under the terms OF the
amended judiciary pension act. he
would be eligible. upon retirement. TO
life pension on the same terms as
Judge Keith. who has already retired
While Circuit Judge Harrison has
never held Federal Office. he was for
two terms a member of the State SEN
ate, He was also a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 10000
Judge Harrison is a native of Lees
hal
a family long prominent in public af-
fairs of the State and nation. He is
a graduate of the University Of Nir-
Ginia and has been on the circuit
bench for about fifteen years
OTHER CANDIDATES.
ARE EXPECTED TO RUN
That there will be other candidates
is taken for granted. Representative
Hay has been a member of Congress
from the Seventh District for eighteen
years consecutively, and congressional
timber has grown up without a chance
to rear its head in Washington The
retirement of Mr.. Hay will create in
the Seventh a political situation full
of stirring possibilities
Among others who are looked upon
as potential candidates for the Seventh
r. T. w. Duke, of Charlottesville; State
Senator \. b. Early, Jr.. of Greene;
State Senator II. II. Downing. of War
rem: former State Senator George r
Keezell, of Rockingham; former State
Senator +. S Tavenner of Shenandoah:
Captain r. s. Parks, of Luray: Aubrey
! Weaver, of Page. and State Senator
| George \. Conrad. OF Rockingham; {;
! Judge 4. y. Dahney and Halls Rine-
! hart. of Charlottesville: former Com
monwealth's Attorney Herbert s Lar
rick, of Frederick, and Judge E. N
| Newman. of Woodstock
The district possesses able men IN
large number. many Of whom have
had long experience in public affairs
Should contest develop In Democratic
ranks. it will probably be a lively one.
In old convention days the Seventh Dis
trict congressional nomination was
frequently determined only after pro-
tracted meetings of the most exciting
| character. Since Mr.. Hays election,
twenty years ago. the nomination has
gone to him year after year prac
tically without contest. Now tha
there is opportunity for beginning a
new dynasty, tho rival forces of the
district will naturally be brought into
play.
TRANs-BLUE RIDGE COUNTIES
PRESENT STRONG CLAIMS
natural assumption is that the
trans Blue Ridge counties will Law
claim 10 tho office on the ground that
Madison. Mr.. Hays home, one of the
four counties east of the Blue Ridge.
has had the honor for eighteen years.
LET lie cp1i
range. Albemarle, Madison. Greene and
Rappahannock Counties and the city
Continual on Second Page.5