The Washington herald., 1909-07-28
ALL AT SEA OYER
LIQUOR QUESTION
Virginia Republicans Hold
FPuitleSS CaucuSeS.
"WETS" ARE LED BY MARTIN
Party Nay Get Together Before Con
vention Meets-ProhibitiOEi Must
BE Satisfied TO DrinS About Har-
mony-Kent Looms Up as Guberna-
tOriaI Candidnte-SIemp Joins Party.
specsal 70 Tho wa.hlnsLaa HsEala.

Speclal 70 The Washington Herald
Newport News Va, July G.-There is
one Issue now which is batting the Re
publican party of Virginia, which con-
venes in State convention. here to-m0r-
row 10 nominate State ticket and adopt
a platform OF principles. That issue is
the liquor question. and the leaders. now
on the scene. are at sea.
If fght over the temperance question
comes before the convention, II viii be a
hght OF the Eastern wet" delegates
against the Southwest dry delegates
The Southwest. the bulwark OF temper
ance IN Virginia. WIN not stand for q
compromise. which the Eastern delegates
| viii undoubtedly seek.
SO strong is the temperance wave IN
/ the Southwest at present that such stall
wart Republican leaders as L p sum
niers. who has always stood for the
principle OF local option, has switched
and declares that the time has come FOR
prohibition in Virginia. As stated IN this
/ correspondence yesterday, the Bristol re-
suit has aroused the Southwest temper
ance crowd.
"Wets' Led by Martin.
The Eastern wet" delegates are led by
National Committeeman Alvah II. Mar
TN, who entertained the district leaders
at a banquet last night In Norfolk. where
the platform was discussed. This caucus
reached no decision on the temperance
question, IL Is said, and again to-day Mr..
Martin and other Republican leaders held
! another caucus on the yacht William A.
/ Graves on the Chesapeake Bay.
II IS not believed that the Eastern
''wets" Will be able TO hold former State
| Senator J. y Harmon. of Tazewell. who
Is a prohibitonist and who made a strong
| fight for prohibition in the Norfolk anti
/ saloon convention. Mr.. Harmon Is not
the kind Of man who stands for dodglne
the issue. OF which now there is consid-
/ cradle talk Some OF the leaders wish tc
| ignore the liquor question entirely. o.
/ declare for local option, with stringent
regulation Of saloons where licenses are
| issued.
May Get Together.
The Republicans are great people in
Virginia 20 get together before the con-
vention meets, and they may DO it this
year. But If they do, it looks like
the prohibitionists In the party in the
Southwest must be satisfied, for the tenn
perance question in Virginia is now the
| llveIiest issue in the State.
Present indications point to the seIec-
ton by the convention Of ". p. Kent.
Of Whyte County. for the guberna-
torial nomination if Gillespie does not
take the nomination. Mr.. Kent IS now
in tie South American consular service,
an appointee Of former President Roose-
welt He is the son of former Demo
cratic Lieut.. Gov. Kent, of Virginia.
The nomination for lieutenant governor
may go to r. ". Angen. Of Roanoke.
G.. y Revercomb. Of the Tenth Con-
gressional district, is slated for attorney
general. with George z. Sipe. Of Harri-
sonburg. an opposing candidate. Frank
P Brent. of Nelson County, formerly a
leading Democrat, probably win he nomi-
mated for superintendent of public in
struction.
Slemp Joins Party.
Republican State Chairman c. BascOm
Slemp arrived from Washington early to
day. and with J. s. Gillespie, Of Taze-
well. brother Of A. P. Gillespie. who has
been prominently mentioned for the CUB
ernqtorial nomination joined at Ocean
View the other leaders just prior 70 their
departure from that place on The pilot
boat
d Lawrence Groner, Of Norfolk, win
likely he temporary chairman of the con
vention, with George /. Hart, Of
Roanoke. as temporary secretary.
George y. Wise. of Newport News. and
A. L. Sibert. Of Roanoke, are mentioned
for permanent chairman. Many leaders
are insisting that this honor shall go 10
Republican National Committeeman Mar
tin Mr. Martin. however may not per-
nit the use Of his name preferring a
division Of honors.