Evening journal., 1907-03-06
WANTS GRAY FOR
THE PRESIDENCY
Congressman Richardson Be.
lieVeS DeIaWarean Would
Suit All Factions
PhIIadelphIa Reeord to-day.

AAAAAAAANAlA4 ANNANAA Nl-A4fH
WASHINGTON. D. c.. March 6.-eI 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
i have been in favor of Judge Gray's
nomination for several months an
nounced my choice carly last fall, shortly
after the return Of Mr.. Bryan from
abroad, when he made what l consider
the grave mistake of committing himself
to the advocacy Of Government ownership
of railroads. That is a policy TO which
there is very strong opposition among the
Democrats of the South. If IL were adopt
ed by the Democratic National Convention
next year it would in my judgment, go
further toward splitting the party in the
South than anything else that has hap
pened. But I don't believe the party viii
commit itself to the doctrine.
''rhere 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 Q man Of Judge Gray $
type for our Presidential candidate. lie
is able. of the highest integrity, thorough
ly safe and has had wide experience in
public affairs. I believe yhe commands tho
respect and affection Of every man who
knows him, and he would make an ideal
candidate and one Of the best Presidents
we have ever had should he be elected.
Il believe the time has come to make
a stand against the tendency toward
adopting socialistic doctrin@ as part OF
the Democratic creed. This drift is grow
ing too strong, and ] find widespread
sentiment among Southerners in favor Of
doing something 10 arrest
Put Him to The Front.
"Whh man like Judge Gray as the
candidate Of the Democratic party next
year, 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 a candidate who ought to command
the support of genuine Democrats of al
sections, and who would bring 10 the
standard Of the party thousands Of voter.
who believe in moderation and wise con.
sgvatism in legislation and administra
ton believe that Judge Gray has tn,
thorough confidence OF business men anc
the great middle class and of the working
men as we'll lie showed his ability and hi,
fairness during his connection with IN.
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission IN ,
way that. believe, won him the biraest
regard of the representatives of oreanize,
labor. sincerely hope the Democrat,
party will have the wisdom and politica
good sense to take Judge Gray for II.
standard-bearer next year. II IL does f,
will, in my judgment, have an excellen
chance Of winning"
Judge Richardson is the ranking Dem
ceratic member Of the House Commltte,
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. an,
In that capacity he had much to do win
shaping the Railroad Rate bill passed i,
the first session OF the Fiftv-ninab con
gress. He is one Of the ablest LAWYERS a,
the Democratic side Of the House. Wbn
a Sout1erner, he takes much broade
view of the States rights question thar
many OF his colleagues from that section
He did not. for instance, oppose the Pur
Food bill on the ground that it interfere,
with the functions OF the States. as wa
done by many men from the South. IL
took the position that In the nature Q
things there could be no effective regula
ton OF food standards except through IN
passage of a Federal law on the subject
He also strongly advocated features 0
the national quarantine law which othe
Southerners opposed.