The Washington herald., 1909-05-31
GILLESPIE'S SILENT
STAND RESENTED
Republicans Want Him to
Announce Decision.
OTHERS WANT TO ENTER RACE
TazeyveII Lawyers Indifference Since
White House Conference Il ArOus-
ing some ..eaders, Who Declare
Others Wish NOmiRatiOn-Time 10
start WOrk-Fears He Cannot Win.

There IS growing resentment among
thc Virginia Republican leaders toward
the Indifferent attitude of A. r. Gillespie.
Of Tazeweu. regarding tEe Republican
guberRatorial noasnatlon. aa5 the iHtii-
cations are now that il tue Tazewel law
yer does not announce his 6nal decision
ln a few DAYS he win have a big fight
on his hands 70 get the nomination 81
Newport News. should De decide later he
wants IL.
This development IN Virginia Republ-
can politics came 10 light yesterday upon
she arrival IN Washington from the Old
Dominion Of a number OF Republican
leaders.
Gillespie Not Only Nan.
When seen, several OF the leaders vigor-
ously expressed their inpatience over
Mr. Gniesple's Indifference. They de-
clareG they want an open. free-for-au fight
for the nomination az Newport News;
that the party has much gubernat0rial
timber Of the dimensions Of Mr.. GILES
pie: chat the party's fate does not hang
upon TIE Yes or 40" Of any one man;
that the present uncertainty IS injuring
the prospects Of the party.
GiIIeSpie's Position Unique.
Gillespie. II appears. holds a unique
position in the present tangIed-up Viz
ginia situation. His strength as a can
didate lies in the fact he is an able busi-
ness man who has eschewed partisan
politics. and Is. therefore, strong with the
independent voter. This fact IS recognized
al the White House, and when Mr.. Gil
lespie called there TWO weeks ago he was
urged to accept the nomination. The
President in this case departed from his
usual custom Of holding aloof from State
or local political fights. Gillespie there
fore has the prestige Of being urged
by the national administration TO take the
nomination, and his silence and in
difference under that request has aroused
a spirit Of resentment among a number OF
leaders
Friends Thought He Would Accept.
When Gniespie's name was first men
tened for the nomination. lis friends
stated ne would accept it. His strength
as a candidate was universally recog-
nized. and other Republicans. who are
anxious 70 make the race, stepped aside.
and gave way to the Tazewell lawyer.
The rank and file began to whoop things
CD for Gillespie. and it was thought
everything was settled 1t was not. how
ever Gillespie indicated TO some Of his
friends he could not accept the nomina-
tion This was a tAunderbolt and they
became alarmed, and saw no hope with
out him. 1t is declared that the Taze-
well lawyer has maintained this uncertain
attitude. and has refTaiaed from making
a positive announcement as 70 his intea-
tions. It is this uncertainty which has
aroused the leaders VINO want 10 get 70
work on the campaign
Fears He Cannot Win
II is learned that Gnlespie's attitude
is due % his belief that the party can
not win. and ne doesn't visa TO lead a
/ forlorn hope. This. also. does not please
the Republican leaders. who declare that
Virginia. on account Of the Democratic
machine" domination and the nature OF
( the campaign by the two Democratic
candidates. Is sipe for a political revo-
/ luton
It was learned last night that a num-
Der of prominent Republicans are think
/ ing Of announcing their candidacy nov
and fighting for the nomination. Among
them are Henry A Routh, OF Russell
County: R H. Angel. Of Roanoke
/ George A. Riverconb, Of Covington. and
/ T. J. Muncy, of Bland, Representative
/ Bascom Slemp, Of the Ninth district, and
I l. P Summers. OF Abingdon are being
( mentioned also. as we'll as Gen. Stitl
/ Boiling, Of Petersburg, and Aivah H
Martin. Of Norfolk