New-York tribune., 1901-08-19
RESTLTS " TIRGINIA.

Colonel Bryan will be pardoned for finding
sinister and malicious irony in the tribute paid
in the Virginia Democratic platform TO his de-
parted greatness as party leader. Such equiv
ocal treatment i'm the house of his once tumultu-
partisans is last straw in the series of
rebuffs he has suffered this year at the hands
of cooling and sceptical Democratic conven-
lions No State on the Atlantic Coast had
shown blnder loyalty to the Nebraskan's per-
sonal fortunes than Virginia. and when the poll
ticinns of the Old Dominion coldly consigned
him 10 a niche among dead party worthless like
jefferson and Jackson. the startled Editor Of
The CommOner" could scarcely fail 10 realize
that the new and fatal era of heretical reorgan-
iZatOn had definitely set in. The Norfolk plat
form did moi, il is trre. quite echo the cynical
declaration of the temporary chairman of the
convention that the party had twice followed
''Willlam Jennings Bryan and free silver 10
''ihe sepulchre." and that now there could be
mo more resurrection from the dead. no more
rising from the grave But. although the plat
form makers reiled their abandonment Of a
dead leader and dead issues in an empty express
sion of admiration for all party heroes from
Jefferson TO Bryan" the temper of the conven-
tiOn showed cOnclusiyely that the Democrats OF
Virginia are as ripe for a repudation OF the Ne
hraska orator and his principles rs are their
party brethren in Pennsylvania. Ohio or Mary
land.
On the whole. the resolutions adopted by the
Norfolk delegates We're singularly cautious.
They condemn criminal trusts" and illegal
combinations OF capital" But no political party
was ever known which would not freely and
enphatically indOrse such a Judgment The
only vital problem the convention had 10 face
besides the mummifcatiOn Of Bryan. was the
affirmation withdrawal Of fits pledge OF a
year ago 10 submit the new State constitution
10 the people for ratification. A good deal Of
pressure was brought 10 bear on the Demo
cratic managers TO cancel their outstanding
promise. but the committee on resolutions com
promised by dOdging the issue entirely. and the
obligation assumed in 1900 still holds presum-
ably good There is little likelihood however
that the constitutional convention will respect
the declaration Of last years platform: for il
viii scarcely be prudent. according 10 present
indications, 10 risk the failure of the new in
strument by allowing II 10 run the gantlet Of a
popular vote.
BY nominating A. ]. Montague for Governor
and William A. Anderson for Attorney-GeneraI
the Democratic convention dealt a stunning blow
ai the political machine which has dominated
Virginia politics for the last fifteen years Mr.
Montague made a fight for the nomination
against Claude A. Swanson, the choice OF Sen
afor Martin and OF all the elements IN the party
which have dictated selections for office IN past
conventions. Swanson badly beaten In the
race for delegates, after an animated county 10
county canvass. and Senator Martins personal
wishes were disregarded In the adoption OF
plank directing the State committee TO prepare
plans for choosing by primary election all party
candidates both for the House Of Representa-