Evening journal., 1907-03-06
WANTS GRAY FOR
THE PRESIDENCY
Congressman Richardson Be-
lieVeS DeIaWaTean Would
Suit All Factions
Philadeiphla Record to-day.

fnltauelphid RECORD lO-Qay.
wAsHINGToN. d. c.. March 81 am
glad to see that The philadelphia Rec
ord" favors the nomination Of Judge
George Gray, Delaware, as the Demo-
cratic candidate for the Presidency next
year" said Representative William Rich
ardson. Of the Eighth Alabama district
have been in favor Of Judge Gyays
nomination for several months. / an
nounced my choice carly last fall, shortly
after the return Of Mr.. Bryan from
abroad, when he made what 1 consider
the grave mistake of committing himself
to the advocacy of Government ownership
of railroads. That is a policy 20 which
there is very strong opposition among the
Democrats Of the South. If st were adopt
ed by the Democratic National Conventioa
next year il would. in my Judgment go
further toward splitting the party in tue
South than anything else that has hap
pened But I don't believe the party will
&C mmlt itself to the doctrine.
"There IS a growing feeling OF conserva-
tism among the thoughtful Democrats Of
the South" Judge Richardson continued,
"and that is why some Of us believe the
wise thing for the party to do next year
would be to take a man Of Judge Grays
type for our Presidential candidate. He
is able. of the highest integrity, thorough
~ safe and has had wide experience in
public affairs. / believe he commands tho
respect and affection Of every man who
knows him. and he would make an ideal
81. a..
we have ever had should he be elected.
Il believe the time has come to make
stand against the tendency toward
adopting socialistic doctrines as part Of
the Democratic creed. This drift is grow
ing too strong. and / find a widespread
sentiment among southerners in favor If
doing something to arrest t.
Put Him to The Front.
"Whh a man like Judge Gray as the
candidate Of the Democratic party next
} ear, we could go before the country with
leader whose personality and character
would embody all that Is best and broad
est and soundest in Democracy. We would
have candidate who ought to command
the support OF genuine Democrats of oil
sections, and who would bring to the
standard Of the party thousands of voters
who believe in moderation and wise con-
servatism in legislation and adminlstra-
ton. / believe that Judge Gray has the
thorough confidence Of business men and
the great middle class and Of the working
men as well. lie showed his ability ana his
fairness during his connection with ~.
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission I'm a
way that, l believe. won him the highest
regard Of the representatives. OF organized
labor. ] sincerely hope the Democratic
party win have the wisdom and political
eood sense 10 take Judge GRAY for II.
standard-bearer next year If il does Il
will, in my judgment have an excellent
chance Of winning"
Judge Richardson is the ranking Dem.
ocratic member Of the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. ans
in that capacity he had much to do viii
shaping tho Railroad Rate bin passed ir
/ the first session Of the FIfty-ninth Con.
gress. He is ono Of the ablest lawyers OF
the Democratic side Of the House. Will.
a Souuherner. he takes "a much broade,
view of the States rights questio,,.f thar
many Of his colleagues from that 1n
lie did not, for instance, oppose the pur,
Food bill on the ground that II interferes
with the functions OF the States. as wa,
done by many men from the South n,
took the position that in the nature O
4 things there could be no effective reguia
tion OF food standards except through thi
passage Of a Federal law on the subject
He also strongly advocated features o
the national quarantine law which othe
southerners opposed.