The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-21
THURSDAY, JANUARY q, 1904.
Virginia Politics.

We reproduce elsewhere In to-days pa
4 ner n letter written from Richmond ny
staff correspondent Of the Brooklyn
Eagle, and published In that paper yes
tcrdav afternoon. in which the political
situation IN Virginia is outlined from
the viewpoint Of the Eagles correspond
emit. The letter, speaks for ITSELF ana
II wo think that In the main, 1t is fair
exposition Of Democratic sentiment. IN
h this state Tho correspondent, Mr., ~.
o. Tanning, is a newspaper man OF ex-
perence and discretion, and possesses
\ the fine art Of interviewing. Ho took
pains to talk with number of repre-
sentative Democrats, and after obta ain
ing their views, sat down and drew his
u own conclusions. which, as we nave
stated, are in the main, correct, as we
understand sentiment to be.
Tho Virginia Democrats have no cam
Hidate, being disposed to await devel-
a opments, and to cast their vote for the
best man. There Is undoubtedly a
strong sentiment in Virginia in favor
OF Mr.. Cleveland, and Mr.. Bryan still
has his friends and followers, but MT.
( Cleveland would be most distasteful to
tho Bryan element, and Mr.. Bryan would
be most distasteful to the Cleveland ele-
ment Virginia Democrats are now,
however, more nearly in accord In ma
tlonal politics than they have been for
many years. and the differences between
I u,,1 Cl1ynr nan1nHr1fs
have largely disappeared. AS party,
the Democrats have rclegated the silver
issue to the past, where 1t belongs and
is not the disposition of those who
were old Democrats to force MI. Cleve-
land upon those who were Silver Demo-
f Gratis. as the limo was drawn In 1896
any moro than it Is the disposition OF the
{. latter to force Mr.. Bryan upon the for
1ner. Mr.. Clevelnnd's admirers, among
whom the Eagles correspondent correct
ly mentions Mr.. Joseph Bryan, would
be glad to have him nominated, but they
take Mr. Cleveland at his word and do
not longer regard him as in any sense
a candidate. though they frankly be-
lieve he is the man who could best carry
those Northern States which are essen
tiai to a Democratic victory On the
other hand, those who supported Mr..
Bryan have taken him at his word. and
consider that he Is entirely out OF the
race. For this reason there will be no
fight in the Virginia Democracy this
year for or against either Cleveland or
Bryan.
AS for Senator g orman, he has friends
Il among Virginia Democrats, and we think
i the politicians and strict party men
arc very much in favor Of his nomina-
ton. but Mr.. German, though gratefully
remembered for his past services to the
South, also has his opponents. and, in
our opinion, lie is not ire choice OF the
rank and file of Virginia Democrats.
Wo OF Virginia know very little about
4 Chief Judge Parker, Of New York, but
all that we know is In his favor, and I'M
less serious objections to him should
hereafter arise, we think that he would
be acceptable to the party In this State
We conclude where We started-that
Virginia at this time has no special can
Il didate. Her delegates will in all posi-
bility go to the national convention un-
p instructed, and will cast their vote fol
the man, who, in their judgment, is bes
qualified In all respects to lead the Dem
ocrats 10 success In tho great fight this
Il year, With the right man nominated
and with sound Democratic platform
especially IL Mr.. Roosevelt is the Repub
4 l.can nominee, Virginia will give an over
whelmlng majority for the nationa
Democratic ticket.
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