The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-20
Virginia Democrats Divided Upon
His. Reelection to the Senate.
DANIEL WILL STAND BY HIM-HE
WILL MAKE THE JUNIOR sENA-
TORS CAUSE HIS owN-MART1N
WILL ENCOUNTER THE HosrIL.
1TY OF MANY LEADERS IN HIS
PARTY-FIGHT BEGUN IN THE
CONVENTION WILL WAGE UNTIL
SETTLED.


been considerable feeling among some of
the politicians of that State as the result
OF the spirited debate over the resolution
provlding for the selection of Senators at
the PR maries and the fate of the resolu-
tlon In the convention. 1t Is generally
conceded that but for the personal influ-
ence OF Senator Daniel the resolution
would have been adopted, and those who
supported it, both because of their oppo.
sition to Senator Martin and because they
believe in the principle involved, are now
inclined to resent the course taken by
Senator Daniel.
aimed directly at Senator Martin, Sena-
tor Daniel to some extent misrepresentea
the real purpose of some of those who
had strongly favored it. Quite n large
number supported the resolution because
they believed the primary plan to be the
BEST Still 1t is true that the leaders in
the light for the selection of Senators at
primaries are not friendly to Senator
Martin, and in espousing his cause Sena-
tor Daniel acted in chivalrous if not in
an entirely prudent manner.
by the leading Democrats of Virginia
IL Is claimed that no candidate can de-
Feat Senator Daniels reelection. 1t is
very doubtful, indeed, if there will be n
caucus. But the case is far different with
Senator Martin. There are many good
democrats in the State who still regret
that Senator Martin defeated Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee and they are already preparing
to oppose his reelection. The record
made nv Mr.. Martin since he has been in
Congress has not, according to many of
the Virginia politicians, been thoroughly
satisfactory His vote in favor of pro-
hloltive duty upon white pine lumber
during the recent session of Congress
has caused much adverse criticism, and
1T is charged that he is not sound upop
the tariff question.
AT the same time, tbere.has been con-
siderable doubt concerning the sincerity
OF his Endorsement of the free silver
declaration of beth the State and the M
tional platform He was very slow in
taking sides upon the question, had been
known to oppose free silver coinage. and
when he finally agreed TO support the
doctrine he did 90 at time when the
overwhelming sentiment of the Virginia
Democracy had already manifested itself
in favor of silver. 1t was, therefore, not
surprising that II number Of Virginia
leaders should have gone to the conven-
ton at Roanoke prepared to throw all
possible obstacles in the way of Senator
The resolution in favor of selecting
Senatorial candidates ac the primaries
was chosen AS the most effective means of
beginning the opposition. The resolu-
lions. already known, was adopted by the
committee on resolutions, but rejected
by the convention by majority of about
200 in total of / 400 votes cast. Had
the matter ended there little signi icance
would have been attached to the pro-
ceedlngs, hut the promoters of the reso-
luton declare now that the question in
volved is one that will have to be met
every year by the Democrats of the State.
and they are confident that before the
legislature which will choose Senator
Martins successor is elected the plan they
propose will have been adopted.
1t is said by some of those who voted
against the resolution that they did so
because it was evident Representative
Jones, OF the First district, State Senator
X. Walton Moore, of Fairfax county, ami
Andrew a. Lipscomb, who represented
the city of Alexandria upon the resolu-
tons committee, were endea voring to
make capital for themselves and, in short.
to secure control of the politics of the
State. Two members CT the Alexandria
delegation to the convention, discussing
the. matter declared that the defeat
Of the resolution was intended to be
the defeat of The three gentlemen named
rather than the rejection Of the PROPOSE
tlon 1t contained. This serves to show
how personal the fight has become.
Mr. Iipscomb. zone OF the gentlemen
referred to as wishing to corner the poll
tics OF the State, said to day: sit is i'm.
proper to confound the fioht made in
favor of the selection of Senator'S in the
manner proposed by the committee on
resolutions with fight upon Senator
Martin or any one else. ] urged the
adoption of the resolution because of it's
merits and because think. the position
advocated is n proper one for Virginia
Democrats to take. The eiection'of Sena-
tors by the people has been twice Endorsed
Ivy Dem ocratic House of Representa-
tives. II is, therefore, absurd to charge
that the gentlemen who asked the State
convention to adopt the principle of the
bill which their representatives in Con.
gress supported had any personal amb.
tions to prom Ote or aninlosities to graf
ify."
While this may be true, the fact
remains that the fight has heen trans
formed by those who have followed the
leaders on both sides into contest for
and against Senator Martin. Those who
oppose the resolution declare it was nut
through the resolutions committee for
the purpose of aiding the prospective
candidacy of II. Walton Moore Tor the
United States Senate. This is empnat-
ically denied by Mr.. Moore's friends.
1t is conceded, however. that the fight
against Senator Martin will probably
continue with increasing vigor until he