Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-05
POLITICS TO HOLD STAGE.
Democratic State Convention Will Be
Called When Legislature
Adj0urns.

RlcnmOn0, MdrCH o.--lHlHieoloteiy
upon the adjournment Of the General
Assembly sine die next Saturday
night, Virginia will be plunged at
once into the throes Of the national
campaign. The Democratic State
convention must be called and held,
and will receive the attention Of eve
rybody who takes the slightest inter
est in politics.
About the convention clusters the
entire political life of the state. Under
the primary system, but one gather
ing of the Democrats Of Virginia is
held in four years. 1t is the quad
rennial event in politics, for it shapes
the platform on which all candidates
must stand until the time again comes
for another convention. The party
machinery is overhauled, and party
control is defnately decided. A state
chairman is elected. Delegates are
chosen to the national Democratic
Convention, and the honor Of being
delegate is greatly being sought.
The first move will be the issuance
of a call for a meeting Of the state
committee. Chairman J. Taylor Ely
son has said he would give this no at
tention until the Legislature has ad-
iourned. The committee will meet
and decide on the time and place for
the state convention. So far no par
ticular city is contending for the hon
or of entertaining the convention.
Four years ago it met in Roanoke.
Richmond or Norfolk Of Lynchburg
may be selected this year. In view OF
the fact that ample time must be
given for all counties and cities tt
elect delegates, it is hardly probable
that the convention will be held before
May.
The Woodrow Wilson propaganda is
hard at work Speaker Richard Eve
Ign Byrd, the chairman in Virginia is
busy sending out letters to all parts
of the state and has received replies
which have made him exceedingly
hopeful of victory for Wilson dele
CATION to the Baltimore convention.
In the meantime the supporters OF
Governor Harmon are by no means
idle, and say they will not admit that
they will be in the minority, and that
they can secure at least portion Of
the delegation.
Behind it all everybody is waiting
to.see what the friends Of Senator
Thomas S. Martin will do. The opin-
ion has grown Of late that he will not
permit the use Of his name as presi-
Dental possibility, inasmuch as he
would have no opportunity to secure
a single delegate outside of Virginia.
And yet there are many men high
in the party councils who express con-
fidence that he can have the state
delegation if he will consent, at least
for the first ballot.
Representative Carlin's position
that no candidate can possibly have
three-fourths Of the delegates at Bal
timore and that the cards might as
we'll fall in Senator Martins direc-
ton as to anyone else finds not little
support. His idea is that the candi-
dacy of the Virginian should be push
ed seriously.
Yet there is q feeling among Gov
ernor Wilson's friends including some
who have always supported Senator
Martin, and stand ready to do so
again, that to instruct for him would
convince a part Of the public that
the delegation was being used as a
ctaspaw, to be thrown where its lead
ers might dictate in Baltimore.
Insistance upon Senator Martins
Endorsement would at least mean
direct conflict with Speaker Byrd, who
has always been one of the warmest
supporters of the senior Senator.