The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-23

The statement made in The Washing
ton Herald some time ago to the effect
that Mr. Bryan would not be content
with endeavoring to defeat Senator Mar
tin as minority leader in the United
States Senate, but would carry the fight
into Virginia, has been confirmed.
The last issue of the Commoner, Mr..
Bryan's personal organ. contains bit
ter attack upon Senator Martin. 1t COW
ers half a page in heavy black type and
says that the fact that Senator Martin
should have aspired to leadership in the
Senate was a reflection upon the Demo-
cratic party in that body. and that he
should have been chosen was amazing.
Mr. Bryan condemns Senator Martin be-
cause he is not in sympathy with the
whole people," and adds that he is stngu-
larly lacking in ability as speaker. Mr..
Bryan then says:
1t is to be hoped that Virginia,
the home of SO many iilustrious
statesmen, will retire him and send
some one to Washington who viii
restore her prestige and give ex-
preston to the sentiment of the
rank and file of her people.
This direct appeal to the Democrats of
Virginia has naturally excited the great
est amount of interest among Virginia
politicians in Washington. as it makes a
clear-cut issue between Bryan and Mar
tin. The Washington Herald yesterday,
Immediately upon receipt of MIR. Bryan's
ultimatum, addressed a Geographic in
ouiry to a number of Virginia editors,
selected without knowledge of their per-
sonal preferences, as to whether Bryan's
attitude would help or inJure Senator
Martin in the approaching contest. The
replies received were as follows:
DanvilIe, Va, April 22-Although the
Fifth district is one of the Bryan strong
holds of the State, 1t is not believed that
Mr. Bryan's opposition to Senator Martin
will injure the Senator. 1t is also a Mar
tin stronghold, and the probability is that
Mr.. Bryan's course will initiate against
his own popularity more than 1t will
against Mr.. Martins. On the other hand,
1t will enlist the more active aid of the
anti-Bryan element for Martin. Conserv-
alive Democrats, even among the Bryan
element think that he has made an un-
fortunate mistake OF course, the Bryan
followers who were already opposing
Martin are pleased.
NJ. H. TAYLOR.
Editor Register.
Richmond, Va, April 2.--Political lead
ers and friends of Senator Martin are
much disguised with Mr.. Bryan on ac-
count of the recent attack made by him
against the Senator as a minority leader
in the Senate in the Commoner. 1t is
their belief that the attack made by Mr..
Bryan against Senator Martin is more Of
an attack upon the Senator's anti-Bryan
Democracy than upon his Democracy,
and further believe that this attack will
cerainly not hurt the Senator, should it
not finally help him.
EDITOR TIMEs-DIsPATCH.
Petersburg, Va, April 22-Mr. Bryan's
opposition to Senator Martin hardly will
affect the result of the Senatorial con-
test. Mr.. Bryan's course in going to
Washington and opposing Martins cleo
ton to the leadership caused a strong
revulsion of sentiment toward hitherto
warm friends of the Nebraskan IN this
State, who felt he had overstepped the
bounds Of propr+ety.
Judging from the undoubted effect Of
Mr.. Bryan's course of a few days ago,
II is believed his long distance firing will
not aid Senator Martins opponents There
seems to be a strong feeling that Mr..
Bryan belongs to the party and not to
any faction, and that he should, not es-
pouse either side in such a contest His
opposition might Influence some voters
against Mr.. Martin In the farming dis
tricts.
One of the best known leaders of the
anti-Martfn forces said q short time ago
that Mr.. Bryan's opposition would
strengthen Mr.. Martin In the cities. The