The Washington herald., 1908-06-11
Special to The Washington Herald.

Roanoke. Va, June lO..-The question
of instructing the Virginia delegation TO
the Denver convention is attracting much
attention.
The State convention, perhaps the most
interesting Democratic gathering since
1872. when the Hill and Cleveland forces
fought bitterly for several days. and
finally divided the delegation 10 the ma
tional convention between them, be-
cause each side was afraid 20 contend
for all in sight, will assemble in the Aca-
denny OF Music in Roanoke tomorrow
at noon.
There are two cases on record of the
Virginia delegation TO national conven-
tion being instructed; one when the dele
cation was virtually instructed by one
half going to Cleveland and tho other
half to Hill. and again. in 1906 when the
delegation voted as a unit on the free
silver issue.
There are S05 delegates to the State con-
vention OF these 800 have been instruct
Cd 20 vote for instructing the Roanoke
delegation to Denver to vote first. last.
and all the time for William J. Bryan as
the Democratic standard bearer in the
general election this fall This leaves 5O5
who are not under any sort OF instruc-
tions; but 1t is probable that the majority
Of these are strong for Bryan.
Stiu a Question.
The question is. VIII all align with
those who are instructed, and vote to
send delegation to the national con-
vention pledged TO the support Of one
man2 The chances seem 20 he about
even that the convention will do either
OF these two things. Even n the deega-
tion is not instructed. il is probable that
the convention will see TO Il that the men
sent TO Denver are known TO be favorable
10 the Nebraska candidate.
There Is scarcely any doubt but that
United States Senators John w. Daniel
and Thomas s Martin. Gov. Claude A.
Swanson. and former Gov. J. Hoge Tyler.
Of Radford. will be named as the dele
gates-at-large from this State. There Is
considerable opposition 10 sending Sem
ator Daniel 20 Denver because Of his
known opposition to certain Bryan poll
cies. It Is probable that Senator Daniel
will fight instructions or the floor OF the
convention. Senator Daniel has for years
been a delegate-at-large TO the national
conventions. The question 10 be decided
at the Roanoke gathering is whether or
not the convention shall elect Senator
Daniel and then seek TO incumber him
with instructions. Many Of the delegates
who go 20 Roanoke under instructions
for Bryan are also under instructions 70
vote for Senator Daniel as deegate-at-
large.
The friends Of Bryan are expected to
develop some sort OF a fight to defeat
Daniel, who was recently defeated as a
delegate to the State convention from
his native city Of Lynchburg. being later
elected as a delegate-at-large from the
county OF Pittsylvania, which is in an
other district.
EiIysOn VIII Preside.
The convention will be called TO order
by State Chairman J. Taylor EIlyson.
who will present the temporary officers
chosen by the State committee on the
preceding night. These will be Richard T.
Byrd. speaker OF the house OF delegates,
temporary chairman, with J. n. Brena-
man, Of Shenandoah County. temporary
secretary. The speech Of Byrd will be
looked upon as the keynote OF the COM
ing campaign. The committee on per-
manent organization Will very probably
recommend Judge z. w. Saunders. OF
Franklin County, permanent chairman.
with Brenaman as secretary Judge
Saunders Is member OF Congress from
the Fifth district, and was for many
years speaker Of the house Of delegates.
He is one Of the most accomplished par
lamentarians in the State. having fire.
quently welded the gavel with great sue
cess over turbulent bodies
The friends Of Bryan are raliying
strongly 10 his support. There IS no sort
Of doubt but that he is the choice OF
IN nf 20 fo l.,
Virginia. The only opposition TO Daniel
is that he is blocking the way of the
only logical candidate within the ranks
Of the party.
Platform In Written.
II is understood that much Of the plat
form has been written. It will declare for
tariff revision In the interest Of those who
favor the revision and against revision
Of the tariff by the friends and beneficial
ries of that measure. IL will indorse w
J. Bryan. and it will contain censure OF
the Republican party for its reckless and
eNtravagant expenditures; denounce the
action Of the lower House of Congress In
passing the Crumpacker bill to restrict
Southern representation In Congress, de-
clare for the Improvement Of the public
highways. and conclude with an unquaIi-
fed Endorsement Of Gov. Swanson and his
administration. This latter will include
the appointment of Judge William f.
Rhca as a member of the State corpora
ton commission.
Judge r. r. w. Duke jr.. of Char
lottcsville arrived this afternoon. and
when asked regarding his attitude on the
primary and his intentions, declared that
he was prepared 20 get into the fight al
once. and that he will make speech
which will show why the plan should be
wiped out for good and all. The belief
Is. however. that the matter viii be sent
back to the people. and that In the pri.
mary for governor OF next year the
voters be given a chance TO express,
themselves. This idea finds favor with
great many.
Delegates Arriving.
The delegates began to come in pretty
freely this afternoon. and by 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning the town will bc
filed.
The district conventions are to meet al
that hour and the State convention a
noon.
Representative james Hay is to head
the committee on resolutions. Among tn,
electors already believed certain 10 b,
elected are Judge Z. T. Montague. fol
the First district. Harry NJ Smith, Third
district. William Henry Mann. Fourth
district; George T. Risin, Fifth district
A. B. Coleman. Sixth district: Henry II
Downing, Seventh district and X. Tat,
Irvine. Ninth district. The Second
Eighth. and Tenth districts are not men.
toned. Delegates from the First district
say tonight: Look out for a shake-uI
In the State committee in the First dis
trict but they win say nothing more
The State committee tonight made the
following selections Of temporary officers
Richard y. Byrd, chairman; Jacob y
Brenan. secretary and John A. McDon-