Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-28
REPUBLICANS UNABLE
TO AGREE ON SLATE
Conferences Preliminary to Con-
VentI0n Said to Have Come
TO Naught.
BOTH SIDES STILL Confident
Friends of Both Gillespie ard Kent
Think They Will Win Fight for
Gubernatorial Nomination-Asl IN
Readiness for Gathering at Academy
Today-Leaders Here.

After a day of uncertainty and ex-
pectancy, during which many confer
ences between the party leaders were
held. the delegates to the State Repub-
lican convention who had arrived in
the city, went TO bed last night not
knowing what would be the outcome
of today's, or for that matter, tomor-
rows sessions Of the convention
The so-called slate, consisting OF w
L. Kent, of, Wythe. for governor; r.
w. Angel, of Roanoke, for lieutenant
governor: x. A. Rivercombe, of Bath
for attorney general and Frank p
Rrent, fer superintendent of public
instruction, which Is said to have been
framed by the leaders of the par
ty, seems to have met decided oppo-
sition. and the leaders of the forces
who are backing A. p. Gillespie, oil
Tazewell, for governor, retired equal
~ as confident of success as the So
called machine which is supposed 10
be in favor of Kent
frame up" as was reported, Is now
doubtful. Some of the leaders who
were at the banquet held in Norfolk
at which it was stated a slate WIGS
agreed upon, are now reported 10 be
in favor Of Gillespie. Whether or
not this report is true could not be
ascertained, but certainly nothing was
agreed upon last night and it seems
equally as certain there will be q
great fight when the convention con-
venes
Took Cruise on Bay.
During yesterday morning mum
Der of the party leaders of the two
warning factions went cruising on the
bay aboard the Virginia Pilot Associa-
items schooner yacht William A.
Graves, as the guests of Hon. Alyah
II Martin, of Norfolk, but evidently
nothing was accomplished, as another
conference was held in room yester-
day evening in the Warwick hotel.
Again an adjournment was taken with
cut reaching decision and meeting
called later. This did not end until
after 10 O'Clock. During the time
the meeting was in progress the loo
by of the hotel was all expectancy and
excitement. and many predictions were
made by the delegates as to its out
come. However, when the leaders
came down the steps they declined
to discuss the matter.
Prohibition Piank7
For while it was whispered around
that a strenuous fight would be made
by some to have a Statewide prohi-
bitten plank inserted in the platform
and many Of the delegates openly STAT
ed that they would fight for it.
Nest OF these were from the south
western portion Of the State, though
one, delegation comes from Fredericks-
burg, instructed in favor OF this step
None Of the party leaders seen, APP
pearcd to be in favor OF it though
many would not express opinions on
the subject. Mr.. Kent seemed surpris-
ed when asked what position he would
take In the matter. should he be NOM
mated and should such a plank be
inserted. Il did not know that there
was any intention of making any such
fight on the part OF any one he said,
~and at this time I do net care to
express my views either one way or
another" The prohibition plank seems
altogether TO be a false alarm.
Regarding the nomination Of the SUI
perintendent Of public instruction. the
general consensus Of opinion seeIns TO
re thai Professor Frank p. Brent
win receive il by reclamation Pro
fcssor Brent was at one time secre-
tary OF the state board of education
under Superintendent SoUthaiL but
went out when the Eggieston regime
came in. Following this he turned Re
publican.
Many of the delegates expressed
themselves in favor Of his nomination
saying that Il would greatly strcng.
then the party to honor new ccmcrs
The name Of Joseph u. EgElesloE. the
present superintendent. vas frequently
mentioned for Endorsement. bat u Is
not seriously thought the convention
viii acclaim IN favor OK The Demo.
cratic incumbent.
Executive Committee.
Following the meeting nj The party
leaders the state executive commit.
tee went into session At the War.
wick and conferred for NON than a
half bcur. The temporary ron was
made M and both sides IN carh o.
the three contcs,ing delegations were
ruf IN The Contestants cnrnc from