Evening star., 1909-06-09
GILLESPIE IS WILLING
Would Accept Nomination for
Governor of Virginia.
ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED
Friends Assert That His Wife's Ill
ness Alone Caused Hesitation.
ENTERTAIN HOPE OF VICTORY
Prominent Railroad officials Dec
laration for Republican Principles
Promises to Affect Result.
ENTERTAIN HOPE OF VICTORY

That A. P Gillespie of Tazewell will
accept the republican gubernatoral NOM
ination of Virginia is assured by his
friends, who have been urging him to
be the standard bearer. The nomination
will be officially given him by the re-
publican state committee when 1t meets
at Newport News in July.
Anxiety has been felt by the republican
leaders of Virginia because Of the non-
committal attitude of their choice for the
nomination. Indeed, this had ripened
into resentment against Gillespie. A
number of prominent republicans an
nounced an intention to name other can
tinue indifferent.
When it became known among the close
friends of Gillespie that he had shown
signs of willingness to enter the con-
test satisfaction pervaded the repub-
lican camp.
Gillespie's Strength Conceded.
When Gillespie's name was first men
toned for the nomination his friends
stated that he would accept. Other
prominent republicans. anxious to make
the race( stepped aside and gave way
to the Tazewell lawyer. 1t is generally
conceded by republicans in Virginia that
he is the strongest man.
Gillespie appeared Indifferent. 1t was
surmised-conceiving no chance for the
party to win-did not wish to lead a
forlorn hope. 1t is learned, however,
that this was never Mr.. Gillespfes atti-
tude, and his silence was due to the i'll
ness of his wife, which would prevent
him from taking an active part in the
campaign.
Now that Mrs. Gillespie has improv-
ed Gillespie's friends declare his will
ngness to accept the nomination will
be announced in few days.
Several weeks ago Gillespie was in
Washington representing coal operators
in connection with a rate case before the
interstate commerce commission. On that
occasion he and Representative Bascom
Slemp, chairman of the republican state
committee in Virginia visited the White
House where a conference was held with
the President concerning the guberna-
torial situation in the Old Dominion state.
Urged by President.
1t is said that the President departed
fro minis usual custom of holding aloof
from his usual custom Of holding aloof
urged the Tazewell lawyer to accept the
nominate Gillespie, therefore, has the
prestige of being urged and recommended
by the national administration.
The strength of Gillespie lies in the fact
that he is an able business man, who has
eschewed partisan politics. and Is there
fore strong with the Independent voters of
the state He is extensive land owner
which makes him popular with the farm
ers, and one of the foremost members of
the Virginia bar.
He has large clientele among the coal
producers of southwest Virginia, where
he is known as a brilliant lawyer. He has
never held any political position.
Although Virginia has heretofore been
a strong democratic state, republican
leaders express confidence that conditions
are decidedly in their favor, owing to
dssessions in the democratic party.
Prominent democrats as well as republi-
cans declare Virginia is ripe for q polit-
ical revolution.
The machine domination and the nature
of the campaign now being conducted by
Judge Mann are antagonistic to reforms
in the state government demanded by
the people.
Issues of Campaign.
State expenditures during Gov. Swan
sons administration have doubly increas-
ed without appreciable betterment of con-
ditions. The republican party, therefore,
pledges itself to insert a clause in its
platform providing for decrease in state
Another issue is the appointment OF
state officials by the governor. The re-
-ublicans declare that these 1D or more
should be by special act OF
the legislature reposed in the hands of the
people by whom they should be elected
at the polls.
Other planks the republicans will incor-
porate i'm their platform are absolution of
non taxes. local option and reform in the
tax law.
That the platform of the republican
marty in Virginia will be along lines of
reform, never before known to the state
is vouched for by party leaders. That
this is pleasing 10 the independent voters
is shown by approval heard from different
parts of the state.
A prominent railroad official of south
eastern Virginia. never known : to vote