The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-07
r I G H MO ND. va Special

r @ H n o N d, VA Special
these Shakespearean lines, which
are used here in connection with Colo
mel theodore Roosevelt, are not de-
Ggned TO create the impression that
he is altogether a dead one, but GER
tainly that part of them which ap-
plies to lack OF reverence seems TO
picture the attitude OF Richmond Re
publicans-
In other words, no members of the
Republican party hereabouts appear
ed TO be in a state OF rhapsody this
morning at the restless Rough Riders
announcement that he Will accept the
domination for President If II IL ten
dered him (me).-
While everybody - talking about
the colonel's change of purpose" and
II is the political sensation of the
hour. the news-if news IL be-has
caused little visible enthusiasm. The
Taft people. naturally, have little or
nothing TO say. while the other con-
ungent for reasons best known TO
them. are burning no incense TO their
1avorite and take to cover when asked
Tor intervievs-
All Three For Taft
The truth about the matter Is that
virginia Republicans are q much be-
bossed party. and although it's fac
uons at times resort to internecine
war, In this instance ell three of the
bosses have declared for Taft
ternal Revenue Commissioner, who is
the favorite OF the Edgar Allan Ridge
way Moore contingent In this district.
has all along sung the praises OF Mr..
Tart, while Congressman Bascom c.
Slemp and National Committeeman
Alvah h Martin. who have the love
OF the -FIegenheimer
faction. also bid their underlings root
for Big Bill"
For some reason, yet to be ex-
DlalnRO- a III
heimer contingent. when they seeded
from the Third District convention
last week and started a brisk meet
Ing OF their own, declined to instruct
Vawter, for Taft.
1t was openly admitted that this
meant that they favored Roosevelt.
and in the same connection it was
Saio that the sentiment for the po-
nucal swashbuckler was strong in
Richmond.
But before the hip-hip hoorahing
could begin, Alvah Martin came out
In card saying that he was for the
denomination of the rotund individ-
ual who now fills the presidential
CHAIR. This put decided quietus on
the Hanson Flegenheimer fac
ton. although Mr.. Brady, in a pub
nsheo interview. declared that Mr..
Martin had all along been for Taft
There are those among the Allan
Moore contingent who both suspect
and charge that Alvah H. Martin. at
heart Is really not for Taft, but those
cIosesS IN touch with the national
committee, insist that he honestly is.
one or the seeding Republicans said
TINS morning that Martin had begged
them to instruct for Taft, but that
they had gone against his wishes in the
matter.
With the check rein of bossisn
yanking them into line. those banker
ing after more of decentralization
dare not openly answer the call of
the office-hungry Wild One. though
ter OF conjecture.
All Twenty-four for Taft.
10 Judge by things on the surface
today. Taft will get all twenty-four of
Virginia's delegates to the Chicago
convention. This, however, is depend
ent in large measure upon the out
come of the Third District contest. OF
course. If the Brady-H Hanson legen-
heimer are recognized by the State
convention their two delegates. Brady
and Vawter. will be foot loose and
IN all probability will swing towards
the Rough Rider.
But II is a question whether the
state convention will recognize them
Ridgway Moore says he has 500 good,
sound dollars to bet that the dele
gates representing his faction will be
seated. And the other side talk equal
ly as confidently.
Inc impression here seems to be
that Roosevelt hopes to jam himself
through by one of those dramatic
squeeze plays, which heretofore
have been his chief stock in trade-in
other words. that he hopes to ride to
the third term on surging waves of
wild enthusiasm
But surging waves of wild en.husi-
asm are not always on tap at national
conventions. and old tricks may be
worked once too often.
In Richmond. among Democrats. as
well as among many Republicans. the
belief exists that Colonel Roosevelt's
vaulting ambition has o'erleaped it.
self this dEIe. and that he will emerge
from the fracas a very cheap bedraR-
gIed and commonpIace hero