Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-25

aolH placid. and had been muddied only
by the recurring rumors In certain
quarters that efforts were being made
to eliminate ono OF the candidates
These reports were positively denied
| circulation.
FEAR SPLIT OF DRY VOTE
BETWEEN POLLARD AND ELLYSON
Certain interests have consistently
fought Westmorcland Davis, on the
ground that he is "wet" candidate
despite the fact that several promi-
nent dry" men are openly supporting
| han. On the other hand. several men,
in addition to those named by Judge
Williams. are lighting hard for Mr.
Ellyson.
Old-line politicians fear split of
the dry" vote between Mr.. Pollard
anc Mr. Ellyson to such an extent as
TO cause serious doubt whether either
would be nominated. 1t was stated last
night that under the circumstances a
statement would go forth from the
headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League
In the next few hours seeking to rally
the dry vote solidly for one or the
other. on the ground that the tenn
perance supporters must center on one
candidate to insure his election Judge
Williams declares that those men who
would be controlling factors during
Mr.. Ellyson's administration are wet"
and suggests that 1t Is an unfair as
sumption that simply because he cast
the deciding vote in the Senate on the
enabling act. that all his acts will be
dry" and hints at a coalition of
forces.
WILLIAMS SAYS HE EXPECTS
TO VOTE FOR ELLYSON
Judge Willamss statement was
given the greatest consideration be-
cause of the light it throws on the
situation. especially in view Of the fact
that for about fifteen years he has been
member of the Anti-Saloon League,
having joined 1t the first year 1t was
formed in Virginia.
Judge Williams's statement follows:
81 joined the Anti-Saloon League the
first year it was organized in Virginia
Prior to that time l had made tenn
perance speeches. and always voted
for what i considered the best means
of promoting temperance. introduced
the enabling act in the House of Dele
gates and canvassed the State from
the Kentucky line to Norfolk at my
own expense for Statewide prohibi-
ton. L expect to vote for Mr.. Ellyson.
because l think his long party service
entities him to the honor, yet I can
not approve the TRADE some of the
so-called temperance people are hurl-
ing at Westmorelund Davis.
BOTH SENATOR'S AND
MANY OTHERS VOTED .WET"
Davis voted wet So did Senator
Swanson. and the Democrats after
wards nominated him without opposi-
ton. Senator Martin voted wet
What will these people do when he
comes to succeed himself? I presume
they are trying to create the impress
sion that because Ellyson cast the de-
Gliding vote in the Senate on the
enabling act. that all of his future ac-
tons Will be dry. Let us see.
who doubts that Judge William F.
Rhca. of the State Corporation Com
mission; Rorer y. James. of Danville,
chairman of the State Democratic
Committee; Clyde w. Saunders, chair
man OF the Richmond Democratic
Committee. and Jake Brcnaman. secre-
tary of the State committee will con-
stitute the Big Four OF the admin
istration If Ellyson is elected?
Rhea knows that he will not again
be State Corporation Commissioner IL
Ellyson is defeated. and the public
knows that he will be appointed IL
Ellyson is elected Rorer James
knows that he will not again be State
chairman if Ellyson is defeated Il
don't think he will be in any evenly,
but he will certainly assume to run
Ellysons administration while>he is
chairman.
CITES ELLYsoN SUPPORTERS
WHO VOTED "wETn
I'VE all know Clyde Saunders; and
as to Brenaman. if the political affairs
in Virginia pass out of the hands of
the organization. his job as secretary
Will be at an end. How does this Big
FOUR stand on the temperance cues
ton? Judge Rhca has always been
wet, made speeches for the whisky
people on many occasions. and went
all the way from Richmond to Bristol
to work and vote wet
"Rorer Jamess newspa per, the Dam
vile Register, whose policy he die
tates and boasts of It. was wet In the
Statewide fight. How he personally
voted nobody will ever know, but he
was regarded as wet Richmond
knows Clyde Saunders's record. Brena-
man has no record. except his sub
serViency TO the bosses, yet he Is
secretary of the committee, and one of
the principal CD supporters Of Mr..
Eiiyson. giving. I am informed, the
principal part of his time TO Euyson's
headquarters
IF we are to Judge tho tree by its
probable fruit we may imagine what
VIII happen from the above state OF
facts. 1t matters not much to the
temperance people who is elected Gov
ernor. Any one of the three, if ac-
tuatcd by no other motives, will be
AFRAID not to enforce the temperance
laws. but any one OF the three will be
hctuated by patriotic motives and Will
enforce the laws under their oath as
Governor.
Governor Stuart voted wet but I
to'd the Woman's Christian Temper
ahce Union at Lynchburg in 1915 that
need have no fears, for the reason
'hht knew that Governor Stuart
would enforce the laws OF Virginia