The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-23
TAFT COUNT|NGON
V|RGIN|A'S VOTE
That Is, He Expects Republican
Delegation to Be Pledged
for Him at Chicago.
ALREADY is WELL IN LEAD
Eighth and Ninth Districts In
struct for Hinl-Third Split
and Others Not Yet Held.

while Virginia, of course will con-
tihue for many years in the Democratic
column, tina Republican organizat ion
IN TINS State figures largely in the ma
tiohal convention which must decide
between President Taft and former
PRESIDENT Roosevelt as the party nom
ince. Under the Republican plon In
Virginia. district conventions arc hid
IN each of the ten congressional dis
tflcts, and two delegates 10 Chicago are
elected BY each of the ten. -Four del
esates at large Will be named by the
state convention, which meets i'm Ron
noke on March IL.
Ihus FAR only three district convcn-
tons have been held. In the Eighth
the delegates were instruct I'd for Taft.
BY vote of lI3 to 90, the Ninth in
Structed for Taft. AS heretofore re-
lated. there was 4 split in the Third.
the Cabell faction lnstructing for TAFT.
while the Brady delegates were unin-
structed, that wing even refusing TO
indorsc the Taft administration. \
contest will be carried to Chicago. SO
in the early figuring the politicians
viii eliminate the Third District in max
ing up the Virginia poll.
Taft Certain of virginia.
1t is very evident, however, that
President Taft Will go into the CON
vention with Virginia's vote safe In
L.
al committeeman, is IN record In that
matter. He has instructed his friends
wherever located to support President
Taft. Mr. Cabell who represents the
othcr wing, is doing the same thing.
and Congressman Slemp is standing
with Martin. 1t is doubtful therefore,
If Mr.. Roosevelt will find any conven-
ton champion in Virginia. To-day tin,
ditrict convention vote stands: Taft,
4; opposition, 0, with two delegates
contested.
because of storms which Interrupted
the wire service, not much news was
received from tn, Bristol convention on
Wednesday night, anu Republicans yes
tcrday were unable TO say what action
had been taken in the matter of in
structing delegates. They got during
tho day the information outlined above.
and the division showed some Roosc-
Welt sentiment in the Ninth. But they
are unable to Sc. how it will be pos
siblc for Mr. Roosevelt to break the
Taft hold in Virginia. Much has been
made of the Brady factions refusal
to instruct for Taft at tho South Rich
mond meeting, In view Of the fact that
Brady. Treat, FleSenhciiMer and others
are lined up with Martin. Martin, how
ever. as subsequently shown. has urged
his friends to instruct FOR the Prcsi
dent, and ii Is not expected that any
more VI them Wall lall out OIL inc.
Don't Believe He'll Run.
Despite his statement that his hat is
already in the ring. many Republican
leaders said yesterday that they did
not believe Roosevelt would enter the
race. They take that view because
they profess to believe that Taft will
have enough votes III tho convention to
insure his nomination. This is the
first time in the history OF the party, so
far at least as 1t affects those now
actively in politics, that such a con-
test has come in Republican ranks.
Mckinley had easy sailing for two
terms. Then Roosevelt had no oppo-
sition eight year sago, and Taft had
none TO speak OF in l9oS. With Roosc
welt an active bidder for the nominal
ton, however. it is plain TO everybody
that the Republicans will face ths big
gcst battle in years. battle which
will divide the ranks and thereby in
crease Democratic chances. What Dem
ocratic leaders fear most Is a strong
and carly Endorsement OF Taft by
Roosevelt, although few expect TO sec
anything like that