Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-06-23
PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER.


he,;eyes that Woodrow Wilson will Sc
cure the votes Of the Nirslnio deiega-
lion for the democratic nomination Tor
president. 1t says:
As a writer ia 4 current magazine
saws not in forty years has there been
81 much humming and buzzlng OF pres
;acn,ial bees rs at this time. in the
midst OF what is supposed to be an oil
year in Virginia politics. Everybody
Interested to any degree in politics IS
spcculating on the results OF next
years national contest, and with such
sneculation comes naturally the dis
cussion OF the personnel of the party
nominees.
No doubt great deal of this interest
comes from the general impression
that q democrat, barring unlorese' II
circumstances, will be the next presi-
dent. II is seldom indeed that the
members OF the party which suffered so
much rs political entity, from the
outcome oil the war between the states
have the pleasure of deciding which OF
their iavorite sons should head the
party ticket and be in position TO con-
troll the destinies OF the nation for the
next four years.
Virginians are not behind the process
SION in interest in the struggle, and
much has been said rs to the choice OF
this state when the time comes Tor the
election of delegates to the natlonai
convention. With at least three demo-
Gratis much in the public eye in con-
nection with The nomination, there Is
more or less line up already, with the
personal predictions CT the voters
largely in evidence. Issues, too play
no inconsiderable part III the choice OF
the men who discuss this proposition.
With this proviso, there would seem
to be little doubt that Governor Wood
row Wilson, the scholar in politics.
will receive the vote OF the Virginia
delegation in the next democratic ma
tional convention. In the first place,
he is a native OF this state, fact which
carries with it more or less OF local
pride and prestige. II the south can
not have president from among her
her citizens, she may at least, say the
friends of the New Jersey man, have
a man whose origin was in this section.
True it is that Governor Wilson has
to some extent alienated part otthe
old conservative element III Virginia.
This is due in some measure to his re-
cent advocacy Of the principle OF the
referendum. Virginians Of the old
school do not like this product OF the
newer soil OF the west-or OF the Tar
east, if New Zealand is to be taken as
the pattern. The recall, particularly
the recall OF judges, is peculiarly dis
tasteful to many Of those who have
helped TO build the political fabric OF
this commonwealth on basis of sta
bility and OF representative government.
EStill, the New Jersey executive is
hardly classed as radical. 1t would
not be thought OF him, until he proves
different, that he will run amuck and
with eager soul chase new doctrines
under the guise OF popular rule. So
far, the democrats Of Virginia as q
body, have confidence in his sound
judgment. II the Virginia delegation
is instructed at all, it will-be it re-
mempered, if nothing happens-iu all
probability be directed to vote for
Woodrow Wilson as long rs his name
is before the convention.
Governor Judson Harmon has many
friends in the state. This is particu-
larly true among those who fear a re-
newal Of the hold Of ". J. Bryan upon
he party. The Ohio Governors sue
cess at the polls, first at the same cleo
ton when large majority was given
10 Mr.. Taft, and again by an increased
vote when he sought endorsement OF
his record, adds weight TO his position,
and there can be be 6oubt that bis
nomination would be entirely accept
able to the bulk OF Virginia democrats.
At the same time, in test OF strength
between Governors Wilson and Har-
mon, there is little doubt in the minds
OF most people that the New Jersey,
man would be successful.