Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
IN THE OLD DOMINION
COMMENT ON BRYAN's soCIALIs-
TIC VIEWS
Special Correspondence of The Star.


RICHMOND, Va, September "a, 1906.
The democrats of Virginia, those who
have spoken on the subject, do not take
kindly to the ideas of William Jennings
Bryan on the subject of government own
ership Of railroads. Among the most out
spoken in his opposition is Senator John w.
Daniel, the senior senator from Virginia.
He is unalterably opposed to any such
socialstic idea, and in expressing himself
boldly announced that such plank would
not be inserted in the next national plat
form.
That the speech of Col. Bryan was a sore
disappointment to many Of the Virginians
who attended the homecoming of the Ne
braskan is we'll known, but for reasons
best known to themselves many have de-
clined to say word for publication. That
they have commented on the position taken
on the subject of railroads, entertained and
expressed by Mr.. Bryan. is a known fact
and as yet there is not one who Endorses
the scheme. The papers of the state are
either silent in the matter or are out
spoken in antagonism.
War on Daniel.
War has been declared on Senator Daniel
by State Senator A. F. Thomas. who halls
from the same county as Senator Daniel.
Senator Thomas Is business man, does his
own thinking, and does not hesitate to say
what he believes. He 10 t-and-out gov
ernment-ownership man. He is well edu-
Gated and a hard student. The senator
is champion Of the Bryan idea, and has
announced that he is opposed to Senator
Daniel. That the antpathy to Senator
Daniel is due to his position on the Ques-
ton of government ownership of railroads
is clear, and Senator Thomas has made a
statement to the effect that he favors the
election Of Allen Caperton Braxton as the
successor to Senator Daniel. Senator
Thomas intimates that Mr.. Braxton is
ready to make the race, says he is the
ablest man in the state, and that he can
defeat Senator Daniel. Mr.. Braxton is the
author Of the article on corporations under
which the corporation commission is OPP
Grating. By reason Of the prominence at
tanned by Mr.. Braxton in that matter, and
his ability In prosecuting the railroads of
the state for failure to comply with the Or
ders of the commission, he has risen high
in the estimation of the people of the state.
Senator Thomas may enter the race in
opposition to Senator Daniel. AS q matter
of fact, member OF Congress Is response
BILE for the statement that Senator Thomas
had told him that he expected to oppose
Senator Danied the next time he offered for
the United States Senate before the people
of the state. 1t ia also said. on excellent
authority, that he made similar an
nouncement to several other gentlemen.
Senator Thomas is about forty years old,
q successful business man. was for a long
time engaged In the tobacco business. He
Is a fluent writer and speaker. He has
served two terms in the state senate, has
taken a prominent part in the affairs OF
the general assembly and is popular with
the people. He inclines to socialism, and
is closely identified with the farming ele-
ment Of the state.
Southern Man for President.
The state papers have taken up the SUBJ
ject of nominating a southern man for a
place on the next national ticket. Senti-
ment is unanimous that the time has come
for such thing to be done. The leading
editorials for several issues have been de-
voted to the subject. and the press of the
country has taken up the issue and Is en-
dorsing the move. The claim Is made that
the south furnishes the bulk of the vote
for the party, that 1t has always done so
and that 1t will continue to do so. The
idea that such a move would be prejudicial
to the success Of the party by reason of
northern democrats abstaining from voting
is ridiculed. as the few men who would
allow such thing to influence them would
be too insignificant to be considered. Then,
the point is made that the placing Of a
southern man on the ticket would arouse
the enthusiasm and interest Of the peo-
pie Of the south and keep the solid south"
In line for many years to come.
The committee which was named by the
general assembly to investigate the affairs
Of the Eastern State Hospital, and which
sat Tor some SIX weeks, nave apparently
disagreed. Chairman Sadler called a meet
ing for this city last Monday, but only half
Of the committee appeared. They said they
would not come back till October l. and the
absentees finally forced an adjournment
to that time. The general board is to meet
In October, and the report of the committee
on the hospital conditions would in all
probability have an important bearing on
the selection Of the corps of officers.
A majority Of the committee favors the
present hospital management. while the
minority disapprove. Members of the COM
mittee and the superintendent have become
Involved in charges and denials, and there
are some who apprehend that trouble will
follow the assembling of the committee in
to formulate the findings OF
the session.
One Of the surprises of the opening Of the
fall term of the public schools of the city
has been the decrease in the number of
negroes attending the Institutions. The
decrease is nearly one per cent Of the total
attendance Of colored pupils. It is not
known to what the falling off Is due. The
new school law has changed the age of at
tendance by making the minimum seven
years and the maximum twenty years and
this may have been one of the causes.
On the other hand. the attendance of
white pupils shows an increase over last
year. more than offsetting the decrease on |
negroes. All the white schools are crowded |
to their utmost capacity. |
----