Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-21
IN THE. OLD DOMINION
STORY OF BRYAN RECEPTION
AT RICHMOND PUNCTURED.
Special Correspondence of The Star.
RICHMOND. Va. October

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
RICHMOND. Va, October d, 1907
Persons who were disposed to censure
Gov. Swanson for his failure to meet Col.
William Jennings Bryan on the occasion
Of his recent visit here have been given
a shock by the publication of a letter
from Col. Bryan to the governor. Col.
Bryan was here in June, and was enter
tanned at the executive mansion by the
governor and Mrs. Swanson. and before
he left here he exacted a promise from
Gov. Swanson that he and Mrs Swanson
should make him a visit in his Nebraska
home. Col. Bryan, in his letter, reminded
the governor of his promise, and said that
he hoped to be able to have them there
early in the coming summer The alb
sence Of the governor was seized upon by
politicians as indicative of the feeling
against Col. Bryan In this state and his
possible candidacy for the presidency next
year. The absence of Senator Daniel and
Senator Martin from the meeting in this
city caused much comment. but no at
tentiop was paid to the fact that no men,
Der of Congress was here. save Capt. John
Lamb. though there are Virginia repre-
sentatives who have served in the House
with Col. Bryan.
The republicans Of this congressional
district are not indorsing any cand. dates
for the presidency at this time The ex-
ecutive committee Of the congressional
committee met here and transacted a lot
cancies and the like, and when a resolu-
ton indorsing Pres,d snt Roosevelt and
another indorsing Secretary aft APP
pcared there was a debate, much debate
and the resolutions were tabled. Accord
ing to those who are high up in the party
hot ha
Of this state are united for President
Roosevelt and will not adopt any resolu-
tons whatever. but will. when the state
convention assemblies, instruct the delega-
ton for the President. and by doing this
will be in a position to commit some of
the negro vote by having a few negroes
tn the state convention. The instructing
OF the vote would end the possibility OF
the negroes having a convention of their
own and the sending of a contesting dele
cation.
Legislature to Probe.
The general assembly will be asked to
make thorough investigation into the
charges that things have not been going
smoothly in the department Of agriculture.
Trouble has been brewing for some time.
The commissioner and the secretary
treasurer are not on speaking terms. The
board has eliminated many of the duties
from the commissioner and put them in
charge Of the secretary-treasurer Mr.
koiner, however. has forced the board to
reverse itself. and instead of having the
executive committee, as created by the
board when 1t reorganized in general
charge of the department, that committee
has been abolished. This was done by
John w. Churchman. the member from
the tenth district. close personal friend
Of Mr.. Koiner. and 1t Is he who will de-
mand that the department be investi-
gated. Mr.. Churchman Is a member of
the general assembly and will have prac-
teal charge of all legislation affecting the
department. 1t is believed that there will
be radical changes in the laws governing
the department.
There is no lack of candidates to sue
teed Col. Slemp Of the ninth district,
whose death occurred several days ago.
Bascom Slemp, son of the representative
and state chairman of the republican par
ty. Is anxious for the nomination. Then
there are A. P. Gillespie of Tazewell. a
member of the constitutional convention
and one of the ablest lawyers of the
southwest: John C. Noel of Lee county, a
member of the state senate, and l.. P.
Summers of Washington county, the col
lector Of internal revenue for the west