The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-21

No political question OF recent years
h.s received more attention from the
Democrats OF Richmond than is now
being given to the fight which will
be made on Senator John w. Daniel
in the coming State convention with
view of defeating him as delegate
at-large to the national convention.
The fiery utterances of former State
Senator A. Z. Thomas, of Lynchburs,
giving definite verification to the re-
port published in Tho Times-Dispatch
several days ago, have provoked wide
spread discussion here The matter
was talked of on street corners, in
hotel Hobbies and other public places
yesterday and last night, and there is
no sort OF doubt that Senator Daniels
friends are ready to take UP arms for
him at once If he will but give the
word. An effort was made last night
by tho Washington correspondent of
The Times Dispatch to get an express
sion from Senator Daniel on the sub
ject, which is now before the Democra-
tic voters of the State in so spectacular
a manner. but he declined, for the
present at least, to discuss the matter
for publication.
How They Feel Here.
The Democrats of this city are di-
vided into three classes on this issue.
There are the ultra Bryan advocates,
who are ready to desert all others and
cling to The Nebraska candidate, and
the conservative element, which Is not
easily swept by passion or sentiment.
In the latter class which is appar-
entity large one, arc found the sturdy
Daniel supporters. Many of them were
with him in the darker days of the
sixties. and have trusted and followed
him since in all his brilliant battles for
men who learned their Democracy from
his lips. They declare they will not
desert him now, when it is proposed
because the extreme friends of pres
idential candidate may demand 1t, to
cast party precedents to the wind
and violate the unwritten law of send
ing the two United States Senator'S
from Virginia to national Democratic
conventions.
The third class is composed of peace
makers. who always dread to see a
fight and who will insist upon some
manner of compromise which Will sat
isfy everybody involved and prevent q
scrap in the State convention. But Il
is not believed there Will be any com
promise. The determination to oppose
Senator Daniel for one of the Vrginia
delegates to Denver is not confined tc
the former Senator from Campbell, Mr.
Thomas. Before the latter issued his
declaration of war The Times-Dispatc
called attention to the fact that suci
fight was brewing and that 1t wa
gathering strength among the over
jealous supporters of Mr.. Bryan II
this section of the State.
The battle is going to be fought on
unless all present signs fail, and Il
the end II may have the effect OF cool
ing the ardor Of some of Mr.. Bryan
supporters. who are unwilling to sc
one Of the most distinguished and be
loved citizens Of their own State stab
bed in order that candidate may &c
delegation from Virginia bound wit
iron clad instructions,
Inns Never Instructed.
Not within the lifetime OF the pres
emf generation has a Virginia conven
tton instructed It's delegation for an.
presidential candidate, and with on
exception since 1850, Senator Danic
has been member Of them all. II. 1
true that the delegation was couall,
divided between hin and cleveland Il
ls92, but the matter was settled in til
State convention, and no instruction
were necessary.
The Bryan-Daniel controversy will
probably take some more definite snap
after next week.
Many of the party leaders will b
here on Tuesday 10 attend the meet
ing of the State Committe and when ar
rangements are made for the conven
tion the lines may be drawn sharpl
over the election of delegates In III
s.
goes out that Daniel is 10 be mad
the issue. wise leaders appear to- be
Lave that the Senator will sweep III
State from end to end and that n
position will be considered ahead