The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-10
MAY CARRY NINTH,
SAYS GEN. AYERS
Democratic Success in the South
west Not Hopeless by Any
Means, He Says.
Timcs-Dispatch Bureau,
Munsey Building,


Former Attorney Rufus a
Ayers, Of Big stone Gap, was at the
Capitol to-day. on his way to Whining
ton, Del, on legal business. The
General" as his acquaintance have
always termed him since he served as
Attorney General OF the State from
1885 to 1889, entertained several of
the Virginia members with his views
on politics, State and national.
II have voted for Mr.. Bryan twice"
said General Ayers. 1T looks certain
that 1 am TO have the opportunity OF
voting for him again. will not say
what I shall do. 1 have The greatest
admiration for Mr.. Bryan's intellect
and his personal character. But he is
q theorist. He has never demonstrated
that he has the capacity to rule this
country from the White House. l have
heard him discuss public questions,
and before he had been talking ten
minutes I felt myself under the spell
of his eloquence. But when 1 had
come away and had time to think
over what I had heard him say
realized the impcacticability OF much
OF It."
The Ninth Not "HopeIess.,
General Ayers does not take the
usual view of Democrats outside OF
the Ninth District, that the district is
"hopelessly Republican" to use the
customary expression.
The Ninth District will elect a
Democrat to Congress when the proper
nomination is made" he said. rGood
men have lost the district, of course,
but l believe there are men In the
Democratic party in the Ninth District
who can carry It"
General Ayers has heard it rumored
that Representative Bascom Slemp will
not stand for the nomination this year.
but he does not attempt to confirm
the report. Mr. Slemp does not hest
tate TO say that the life of member
of Congress is not entirely to his
liking. There are many aspirants for
tho Republican nomination. and the
probability that the fight among these
will become very bitter makes the re-
nomination of Mr.. Slemp rather likely.
Southern Claims In Danger.
1t is feared that the Senate is "over-
doing it, in the matter of providing
for the payment of claims Of Southern
people, especially schools and colleges.
damaged by Federal troops. The omni-
bus claims bill which passed the House
this session. carried a total OF about
100000 for the payment of claim or
this character. The Senate Committee
on Claims has already put on enough
additional claims to increase the total
to about s2,0o0O00. There is no doubt
felt of the passage of the bill through
the Senate. but ii Is very much doubted
whether the House conferees will ac-
cept the amendments, in which case
there would be no claims legislation
at this session,
Home for Southern Societies.
The various Southern societies of
Washington, including the United Con-
federate Veterans, the Sons of Veterans,
the United Daughters of the Confed-
eracy, and the Southern Relief Society
/ have purchased the old Norment resi-
dence on NJ Street \. w, between Mint,
and Tenth. and will convert 1t into a
home for the organizations named. The
Stonewall Jackson Chapter of the
/ Daughters of the Confederacy is ar.
| ranging to hold a great bazaar soon
! the proceeds TO be devoted to convert
ing the old residence, which has beer
/ a very handsome one. into rooms suit
I ed TO the needs of the organization
which will occapy 1t. The building wa
' purchased at cost of about $4,000,