The Washington herald., 1909-07-30
star Correspondence. The Washington Herald.

Stat COrTespondence The Washington Herald.
Newport News. Va. July 29.-After
passing through a dramatic fight on the
liquor question, in which the Southwest
drys won, the Republican State conven-
ton this afternoon nominated for gov
ernor Capt. William p Kent, Of Wythe-
Vile.
Mr. Kent is at present United States
consul 70 Guatemala. He is n son OF
a former Democratic lieutenant governor
of Virginia. and gold Democrat who
embraced Republicanism thirteen years
ago, when Democracy adhered to free
silver
The nomination Of Kent was unani-
nous.
His running mates, who were also
unanimously named. are:
Lieutenant governor, state Senator A.
T. Lincoln, OF Smith County.
Attorney general. George A Rever-
comb, OF Allegheny
State treasurer, Joseph L. Crupper, OF
Alexandria.
Superintendent Of public instruction.
Frank P. Brent, OF New Kent.
Secretary OF Commonwealth, John 3.
Locke, of Newport News
Commissioner Of agriculture, ]. T. Rob
son, Of Rockingham.
Ticket shows Strength.
This ticket is recognized as the strong
est ticket named by the Republican
party in Virginia for years. There is
only one Federal oflceholder on it-Cap-
tain Kent-but his ability and character
and political integrity will Offset any Ob-
lection 10 him along that line
Chairman Slemp is pleased with the
ticket. although he favored Gillespie for
first place. he said:
Kent Is an able man. Former Secre-
tary OF State Root told me that he was
one Of the ablest men in the consular
service
THE ticket all down the line is strong
feel good over it,"
Mr. Kent told The Washington Herald
representative that he would 90 %
Washington i'm a few days 10 resign his
position in the consular service. He ex-
pressed confidence OF his election, claim
ing that the people Of Virginia desired
a new deal in the administration OF
affairs Of the Commonwealth
i intend TO give up a 5000 position
70 take this nomination. said Mr..
Kent I am so convinced that the Re
publican party has an opportunity in
Virginia, that 1 am going TO burn the
bridges behind me so that 1 can make
the fight Of my life"
Mr. Kent is a striking looking man.
He strongly resembles his distinguished
father. Mai. Robert Kent, who was
lieutenant governor under Gov. O'FerraIL.
Gov. O'Ferral. like Alr. Kent. did not
support Bryan In 1896. He was born In
Wythe, but married I'm stanton, which
has given rise TO the report that he halls
from Stanton. He organized a company
IN the Spauish-American war, and served
under Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
Boom for sIemp.
There Is, however. a little story behind
the nomination Of Kent. Bascom Slemp.
the pet OF the convention. could have had
the nomination. Following the receipt Of
the Gillespie telegram, the Southwest
started a Slemp BOOM
This boom quietly grew all night last
night, and It looked like the convention
would stampede 20 the State chairman
this morning. Slemp. however, by APP
pealinE TO the party leaders upon personal
grounds, prevented the stampede.
The Ninth district was perceptibly dis
appointed that neither Slemp nor Giles
pie was named. Their disappointment was
so keen that the delegation sat IN their
seats during the ovation 70 Mr.. Kent
upon his nomination.
Joseph L. Crupper had been slated for
second place, but at the last minute in
the convention this afternoon State SEN
ator Lincoln was placed on the ticket 10
hold intact the Republican majority in
the Southwest and TO satisfy the Ninth
district temperance element Of the sin
certify OF their stand on the liquor ques-
ton.
Fight on Liquor Question.
BY far the most important feature OF
tho convention to-day was the dramatic
fight over the liquor question.
The platform committee reported a
local option plank with no conditions tied
20 1t. No sooner had the platform been
read than dry" Southwest. as forecasted
IN these dispatches. precipltated a fight
which threw the convention into the
widest confusion at times. and several
times threatened 10 rent the catherine, in
twain
Chairman Grouer a number OF times
had trouble controlling the body Kisses