The Washington herald., 1909-07-27
spocLal 70 nc Wnshiprton Hernld.

Special 70 Tho Washington Herald
Newport News. Va, July 26.-Almosi
upon the eve Of the gathering OF the Re
publican clans on Wednesday the indi-
cations are that the State convention
will not be able 70 escape a fight over
the wording OF the temperance plank to
so into the platform.
The liquor question is to-day the most
absorbing State issue I'm Virginia The
Anti-Saloon League. by questioning the
Democratic candidates for governor and
for the legislature on their temperance
views. has brought the issue to the front
In that party. and hardly a day passes
that Judge Mann and Harry st. George
Tucker. candidates for the Democratic
nomination. do not refer to the temper
ance question and the position each oc-
cupies
II has been generally believed that the
principle Of local option would be IN
ccrporated In the Republican platform,
but all signs now point 10 the strongest
temperance declaration ever adopted by a
political party in Virginia save the pro-
hibitlonists themselves.
Aroused by Bristol.
This new development in the Republi-
can convention grows out OF conditions
in Southwest Virginia. the bulwark
OF Virginia Republicanism. The South
west has always been strong for tenn
perance. That section Of the State abol-
shed the saloon before the State Anu-Sa-
loon League became d factor in this
State.
This Temperance element in the South
west has been reused 20 a high pitch
by the result Of the Bristol local option
election. which viii create a depot for
the shipment of liquor into tho dry
counties OF the Ninth district. Represent
ative Slemp. IN his campaign for re-elec-
tion last fan. made his fight on a dry"
platform Other Republican leaders Of the
Southwest have come over 70 the State
wide side since the Bristol election.
The principal supporter OF A. p. Gil
lcspie for governor IS former State Sen
RtOT J. Harmon. Of TazeweN Mr. Har-
mon IS a prohibitcnist
Whether the dry" Southwest can con-
trO! the convention IS not known, but II
is believed that these dry delegates
must be satisfied by the temperance
plank before they Will give up the fight.
If a dry" platform Is not adopted, Il
Is said. the most stringent regulation ot
the saloon will be demanded. In fact q
Is stated that the Republicans are likely
20 take a stand on the liquor question
more In accord with the rank and ille OF
tho temperance element IN Virginia thar
/ is held by the Anti-Saloon League leaders
who are trying 70 nominate Judge Mann
in the Democratic primary.
Hope for Compromise.
Whether the Southwest will be stronl
] enough TO carry the convention on this
question IS not known. A conapromis,
may be effected 10 satisfy the Southwest
crowd before the convention meets tC
pevent a fight with the Eastern ''wets.' 81
| Several leaders favor this.
Another feature Of tho platform viii b'
declaration for the adjustment OF thu
fee system Of paying certain State. city
and county officials. This IS learned from
/ high Republican sources.
The Democratic press Of Virginia hai
been demanding a change in tho fee sys-
TEN. They have pointed out that the fe'
/ system IS the big corner stone IN The
| Democratic machine" II is asserted
that the officeholders. paid under the fec
| system, receive emoluments double and
| triple the salary of the governor OF th'
! State. They have shown where these
| oflceholders o band themselves together II
/ rings" intrench themselves in power
control municipal affairs, and become
cog in the state machine" Tho Ques
/ tion Is one the Democratic candidates
| have not touched upon.
/ The platform also win contain plank!
| advocating the election Of State corpora
| ton commissioners by tho people and th'
| creation OF two boards TO reorganize tht
I present system Of taxation in the state
Gillespie VIII Lead.
As to candidates. It is pretty genoraIll
! accepted that Gillespie viii be the nomi
nee for governor. Should a hitch develoI
at the last moment, precluding his &C
ceptance. Kent OF Staunton. will b,
named.
! The convention convenes Wednesda.
morning. One thousand delegates are ex
| pected. Representative Bascom Slemp
the State chairman. viii call the gather
/ Ing together. The nominations Will no
be made and the platform adopted unit
| Thursday
Encouraged by President Tafrs desir
! for an active opposition in the South
| Virginia Republican leaders are deter
mined to begin at the convention TIT
work OF building up an organization II
the hope OF a Republican victory in Vir
| ginia at the next national election.
! ---------
Eugerick'S Condition Serious.