The Washington herald., 1909-02-04

Richmond, Va, Feb. a-Announcement
is made that Thomas F. Ryan. railway
magnate; Alfred P. Thorn, chief counsel
Of the Southern Railway. and Judge John
D. HoTsley. Of Lynch5urg, local attorney
for the Southern Railway, have all three
resigned from the State Democratic CON
mittes. Ryan, who now lives IN New
York. has always maintained a residence
in Virginia
The announcement was officially con-
firmed by J. Taylor Enyso1, lieutenant
governor Of Virginia and State chairman.
but further than to make the announce
ment Ellyson refused TO speak.
he would neither give the dates OF the
resignation nor state the reasons assigned
therefor
It is minated mat ths designations
were ten6sred six months ago. However.
the FIRST hint OF the matter was made
public to-day for the first tine.
The only other information that could
be gathered from Ellys0n vGs g guarded
statement 70 the eject that TIE Tesign2-
lions bad nothing 70 co with the railroad
affiliations Of the members in question.
Ellyson stated that he would announce
the names OF their successors shortly
Reform Committee Being Azitstsd.
Since the Presidential election last fan
many newspapers OF me State. especially
the Norfolk virginian-PilOt. edited By
former. Gov. william z Cameron, and
the Richmond Evening Journal, have been
advocating q taking OF stock among the
Democratic leaders IN Virginia; also the
holding OF a Democratic State convsn-
ton before tbs gubernatoriaI primary.
The Virginian-Pilot has frankly as
serted that the party status Of certain
members of the Democratic State COM
ulittee should be inquired into.
This movement has been taken Up by
many OF the weekly newspapers. q power
IN the Democratic party OF ths State. and
II is believed that the announcement OF
the designations OF Ryan and HorsIey
Was made 70 allay as much as possible
this agitation
Ryan Out OF Politics.
New York. Feb. S-Thonas F. Ryan
said tonight that when leaving for Eu-
rope q number Of months ago he decided
70 retire from most OF his business ven
/ lures, and that Il was also his wish that
( he should retire from anything that
looked Ike active participation n the
/ political Affairs Of Virginia
HorsIey Could Not support Bryan.
Lynchburg. Va, Feb. 3-Ju6ge John D.
Horsley tonight stated that he had re-
signed from the state Democratic sxecu-
tive committee because he would not sup
port Bryan last fall. but he cid not want
{ It taken from this that ne Intended 10 be-
+ come a Republican. He leIt tonight for
+ Florida ID the hope OF reEzining his
strength. as he has been 81 for a year.
Thorn Resigned Five Years Ago.
General Counsel Alfred P. Thom, OF the
Southern Railway. whose resignation ron
the Virginia Democratic STATE central
( committee, II was stated IN a Richmond
( special last night. had Just been an
I nounced. said that he had resigned Eve OF
six years ago.
Mr. Thorn could not understand how the
matter OF his resignation could have been
brought Up at this time, when bis with
/ drswai from the committee had been
made years ago. when he removed from
/ Virginia 70 Washington. and that it was
/ then known
/ Air. Thorn was a member OF the con-
mittee from the Norfolk district. and
when he resigned state Senator ". ".
Sale, OF Norfolk It IS said, was elected IS
/ I'll the vacancy.