Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-07
DOWNING SAYS HE MAY
ENTER RACE IN SEVENTH
Admits In Address at Fishers Hill
That lie Will Prob
ably Run.
HARRISON'S FRIENDS WORRIED
Had Counted on Support OF Front
Royal Scnator-keczell Denies Re-
port That He Has Pledged Sup
port to Any Candidate.
HARRIsoN's FRIENDS WORRIED

state Senator II. H. Downing. OF
Front Royal. whose receptive attitude
in the matter was indicated several
days ago by The Times Dispatch has
advised friends in Shenandoah County
that he will probably be candidate
for the Democratic nomination for the
House or Representatives in the Sew
enth District primary. ordered for Sep
tember .. Senator Downing attended
meeting at Fishers Hill Saturday. and
there made tho declaration
Senator Downing's statement has
added interest to political situation
of the livliest character. There is no
question that Judge Harrison's friends
arc worried. They had expected that
the Warren County Senator would
support their man, and with his
support they counted on a run
away race. Downing, as n candidate,
will take more strength from Judge
Harrison than he will from Floyd w
Weaver. OF Page, or State Senator y.
r. Early, Jr of Greene.
KEEZEIL mas MADE
NO PROMISE: OF" SUPPORT
The situation was further compli-
Gated yesterday by advices from IIar-
risoniHrr that former state Senator
George T. Keczcll. who was reported
as having said that hc would not he
n candidate himself, hut would support
one OF the aspirants already in the
field, has nntly denied the truth OF this
report. He has made no statement OF
his intention to support any particular
candidate. said Mr. Keezell. nor has he
authorized any statement regarding the
nh.1h nf l, ,ie
test himself
That Judge Harrison will have op-
position of the most active kind is
taken for granted. Senator Early. Mr..
Weaver and Senator Downing spent
Friday in IIarrsonburg in consulta-
ton with prominent party men in tho
Rockingham metropolis
Several inquiries have been received
by Attorney General Pollard from in
dividuais in tho Seventh District oues-
tioning the legality OF the committees
action in fixing the date of the pri-
mary for September 2. and requiring
the expenses OF the election to he
borne by the candidates. No official
opinion has been prepared oy the At
torneyGenerars office in reply. for the
to the constituted authorities or some
public officer.
DISTRICT COMMITTEE
ACTED WITHIN IT'S RIGHTS
careful examination of the pri-
mary law, however. indicates that the
district committee acted fully within
its rights. The law makes special pro-
tot
the refusal Of the party candidates to
accept nomination. This is the case
in the Seventh District, where Repre-
sentative Hay. although duly declared
the party nominee. has notified Cover
nor Stuart that lie will resign on Sep
tcmbcr 30. Practically unlimited
choice is given the local committees.
also. in the matter of providing for
the manner OF election for an uncx-
pircd term. Acting under,these clauses
OF the primary law. the Seventh Dis
trict Committee has made full pro-
vision for taking care OF the situation
created by Representative Hays res
ignation, and The regularity of the
special primary VIII hardly be called
into question.
While the legality OF tho special pri-
mary is not seriously questioned,
there has developed considerable Senti-
mcnt against it on the score of expense.
Being called for a date other than the
date OF the regular primary, all the
expenses incident TO holding il must
he borne by ilc candidates. themselves
COST or PRIMARY
REVIvES CONVENTION TALK
with only three or four candidates in
the field the expense apportionmcnt
would he n considerable item since |;
Is estimated that 1t will cost between
Loo and $4,000 to hold the primary.
nomination by convention would
avoid both this expense and the cost
OF making thorough going canvass.
Should opposition to the primary gain
ground In tho next few days II Is not
Continued on Second Page.)