The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-17
TO SUPPORT THEIR COUSIN.
S1Tembcrs OF Kcrns Family, Republicans
md DclnocrntN. to SunpOrt Ticket.

- and Democrats, to Support Ticket.
Especial to The Times Dlspatch.l
CLIFTON FORGE, VA. July 1s.-Tle
+ nomination OF HOY. John w. Kern, OF
Indiana, on the national ticket with
William j.. Bryan has excited a great
deal Of local interest in this city, where
several near relatives OF the future
Vice President live, as well as in Bot
fetourt county. which udjoins this city.
IN. II. Kern, who resides here, Is a
first cousin OF the candidate for Vice.
President. and has seven sons who ara
Democrats. j. N. Kern. brother OF n.
III. Kern, also makes his home here.
He has two sons and they are Republi-
cans, but 1t is stated on good authority
that they will support their relative
as against Taft. a large per cent. Of
cratic party, and have been loyal to
the party. They are rejoicing over the
fact that their cousin John has been so
highly llonored, and they all want to
see him preside over the Senate.
In 1886 this place was the centre of
political activity. owing to the fast
that the officials of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway were active for McKtn-
sley and Hobart In that contest the
Kerns were divided, though It can be
said to their credit that those who hal
all along been Democrats remained
true to their party. Being In the en-
,ploy OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Rai'-
way at that time meant that 1t was not
prudent for an enploye to advocate
the election of Bryan. but this did not
affect the Democratic Kern family.
According to u report that gained cur
rency in 1896 one Of the sons OF N. II.
Kern was called before an official Of
the railway company for the purpose
of discussing politics. After consid-
cradle talk the official asked the man
he had sent for II he could explain the
meaning of Is to l. The answer was
to the effect that It meant that six
teen members of the Kern family would
vote for Bryan to one for Mckinley
And while-this was not the proper an
;swer 1t had the effect OF ending the
conversation.
But conditions have changed since
the first Bryan campaign. and the
chesapeake and Ohio Railway is going
TO remain out OF politics. A few weeks
ago an official of this railway gave out
an Interview In Washington. In which
he said that he would support Taft
and that Virginia could be carried for
the Republican nominee II the proper
effort were made. The Daily Review
in this city commented upon the In
terview. and inquired If this official
voiced the sentiments OF the Chesn-
ipeake and Ohio Railway? A copy OIL
this editorial reached the hands OF
President George w. Stevens. who
gave out an interview here, in which
he declared that his company was out
of politics, and that every official AMI
,employe would have the right to vote
as he pleased without any interference
from the high officials and directors.
In 1896 Mr.. NJ. E. ingalls,, of Gin
cinnati, was the president of the Ches-
apeoke and Ohio Railway. and he trav-i
,eled all over the country making
speeches FOR Mckinley. This year Mr..
ingalls, is a Bryan man. The Demo-
Gratis here are hopeful OF the result in:
November. and 1t has been said that
there is little danger of the Democratic
party losing. since Il is fact that the
entire Kern family will vote for Bryan
and their Cousin John.