The Washington herald., 1909-07-29
Special to Tho Washington Herald.

Newport News, Va, July Is
Upon the eve of his certain nom
ination for governor after the
path for his unanimous selection
had been blazed by the leaders, and
after he had been heralded as the
coming party candidate by P. H.
McCaul before the convention, A.
P. Gillespie, of Tazewell, knocked
the Virginia Republicans off their
feet tonight by sending a telegram
announcing that he could not ac-
cept the nomination for governor.
Never had a bigger bolt hit a
political gathering in Virginia.
That telegram in Virginia Repub-
lican history will take rank with
the famous Parker telegram in
Democratic national history.
The Virginia State Republican
convention convened here this
morning to nominate a State ticket
and adopt platform. After prac-
tically all-night conferences of the
leaders Gillespie was agreed upon
as the candidate for the head of the
ticket, upon the statement of his
brother, Col. Joseph S. Gillespie,
that he would accept.
The news was spread TO the
world that Gillespie, the man who
had been asked by President Taft
to accept the nomination, would
make the race.
Telegram Upsets Slate.
Then came the telegram smashing all
states and undoing the work Of many
conferences Of the leaders.
The following is the telegram:
J. S. Gillespie. Newport News Ya.-Positively
cannot accept the nomination. Conditions do not
permit. A. 2. GILLESPIE.
Tonight at 1O:3O o'clock who will be
selected TO head the ticket has not been
decided. State Chairman Slemp says It
will be W. P. Kent of Staunton. Ma
tional Committeeman Alvah Martin says
II will be Slemp.
Color to Mr.. Martins prediction was
given tonight when Ormsby McHarg.
Assistant Secretary OF Commerce and
Labor. in a speech before the conven-
tion advised the convention 10 nominate
Slemp. He said he was speaking in
personal capacity only. He declared that
wherever Virginia Republicanism IS
known the name OF Slemp stands out as
its leader. and that, besides. Slemp Is
well thought Of at the White House.
Mr.. McHarg gave the convention the
first official notice OF Giiiespie's decision
before making his reference 10 Slemp.
The receipt Of the telegram was fol-
lowed by conference after conference,
and finally hope 10 straighten out the
tangle Immediately was given up. and
National Committeeman Martin stated
that more conferences would be held
late tonight 10 settle the matter. All
other questions and issues have been
forgotten in the light Of the Gillespie
telegram. and nothing else is being talk
ed about among the delegates.
The announcement OF Gillespies de-
cislon 70 the convention tonight by. Nc
Harg was calmly received. The news
had been whispered around, and many
delegates knew II.
Cause of Withdrawal.
Why did Gillespie refuse upon the eve
of his nomination. Is one Of the big ques-
tlons now. His friends say his health is
the cause but another version Is that he
objected to the personnel OF the ticket
which had been selected for him 10 head
Gillespie refused to accept the nomina-
ton because conditions did not permit. -
said n prominent Republican.
lie added: Naturally the question
arises, What are the conditions? Con-
slider for moment and then analyze the
conditions. There had been arranged by
the party chiefs a slate. and Gillespie
was not named. The delegates refused to
abide by the action OF the leaders, and
they made a protest, and the leaders then
agreed 20 put Gillespie on
Does any one imagine that slate was
made 70 please Gillespie? Not by any
means. The truth is that the slate was
not acceptable TO Gillespie but Just who
was II is not necessary TO state"
McHnrg and Mckinly Speak.
The features Of to-nights session OF the
convention were the speeches Of AIcIarg
and Representative Duncan McKinlay.
Of California
Mr.. McHarg was we'll received. He
said there is too much solid South and
too much solid North. and he advised
every man to vote honestly. He praised
Taft as one Of the best-trained statesmen
who ever went TO the White House He
lauded protection.
Continued on Page 3, Column ,.