The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-08
LEADERS CLAIM
STATE FOR TAFT
That Is, They Are Certain Now
He Will Get virginia's Vote
in Convention.
LOVE FEAST AT ROANOKE
Many Predict That, While
Others Pretend to See
Roosevelt Sentiment.
LOVE FEAST AT ROANOKE

DoSfiic the fractional feeling which
nag entered largely into all former
o"H.apaisns, IT seems to be accepted as
fact that the Republican state COR
vention. which meets in Roanoke On
I"esHaN, VIII stand by president Taft.
some cifort Will be made 10 swing n
20 Roosevelt, but that movement will
lack sufficient strength to prevail Al
ready tive of the ten district couyeD-
lions have elected Tart Delegates.
mere is, OF course. Il contest in the
,nlTu District. but the regulars in
uorscd tho administrations and u is
said by Republicans who take no per-
soma part in these little factional
lights that the Instructed delegates
VIII be seated. Every indication points
mike the Democratic party. the Re
publican organization permits each
district 20 elect two delegates, the
i by ~, Gel s5a,a being named
nlstrict convention will be held in
ROCKY Mount tomorrow. The Fourth
SiNth and Tenth Will meet on Monday
While the Seventh will not take place
uhtil March ~. The district convcn-
tons already held are the First, Sec
ohd. Ihird, Eighth and Ninth
May See Love Feast.
~ Would not be surprising. to find a
other hand. there might be greater
night than any held heretofore. There
Is no longer. however, any tight be-
tween Alvah H. Martin and Royal l..
tabeli for national committeeman, a
JOB which Mr.. Martin now holds Al
though Martin and Cabcll arc not iden-
tlhed with tho same Virginia wing,
nom are ardent supporters OF Presi-
hent TAFT SO IS CONGRESSMAN Sl.mp.
VINO is not Cnbcll man. As hereto
fore printed. tn" charge is general
that the distillery interests are put
tins iortii every effort TO overthrow
Mr. Cabell. who, as Commissioner of
Internal Revenue, has demanded the
most rigid enforcement OF internal
revenue laws in Virginia He has been
aEgressivc and fearless. and while he
IS being opposed on that ground, his
political enemies have cndcavorcd TO
make II appear that they were lighting
MIN because hr was lighting Alvah
Martin 1t happens tina, several Re
IN virginia have hcen fighting tho
President, not exactly in the open, hut
fighting him just the same. They may
nave to do a great deal of explaining
when they want rca2pointment, and
those on the outside. who hope to
get In. Will not stand much of a
chance IN the event of Mr.. Taft's nomi-
nation and election.
When Mr.. Roosevelt formally an
nounced his candidacy ln a letter to
Western Governors some Virginia Re-
puhlicans said that there would be an
ent,'em-a alive fight in this state. They
really thought so. Now the sky is
not 50 cloudy, and il Is claimed that
Tafts chances in Virginia arc even
better than before Mr., Roosevelt fol-
lowed his hat into the ring.
Roosevelt Sentiment Not Strong.
Tho Roosevelt sentiment is not
strong. Some of his friends will do
th"ir best 70 whoop il up for him al
tho state convention, but as the Taft
forces happen TO be in control. Mr..
Roosevelt cannot hope for much
Heretofore, his campaign mana gers in
New York have claimed nearly one
half of the Virginia delegates at CHI
caSo. Within the past week, however
strong pressure has been brought to
bear on the district leaders. and ii
delegates elected OF Saturday and
Monday are not instructed for Taft
the party leaders will want to know
why.
II might be Of interest to note that
from expressions heard within the
past ten DAYS nearly all of the national
Republicans ia Richmond arc against
Roosevelt. Like Governor Mann thcy
prefer Taft TO Roosevelt, and they be-
licve that there will he less business
disturbance with Taft in tho White
House. Willie they admire Ttoosevclt
in many respects. they are afraid Of
him II happens. therefore. for the
first time. that the national Republ!-
cans and the real Republicans are I'm
accord on the one big qucstion-the
nominee.
Most OF the local delegates TO the
Roanoke convention expect to leave
here in special car tomorrow night.