The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-03
James S. Browning Writes OF
Situation as He Sees 1t u
in Virginia
PIE. EATERS HASTEN
TO ROUND UP BOYS
Declares Slemp Called Early
State Convention When
Voting Farmers Could
Not Attend

WASHINGTON. June I'm a writ
ten statement to the Times newspa-
per here, James $. Browning. or
Roanoke. Va, declares that the only.
Taft sentiment" in Virginia ia that
which has been manufactured by fed
eral officeholders, and that the real
sentiment Is Ave to one in favor OF
Roosevelt.
The statement follows;
To the Editor of the Times
/ note the publication in admins
tration newspapers of items to thu
effect that the Southern delegates ars
assuring the president that they are
standing firm. My answer will have
10 do with the Question of Virginia as
to the sentiment there between Mr..
Roosevelt and Mr. Taft.
Mr.. Slemp and Mr. Summers know
we'll enough that in Virginia. and es-
peeally In Mr., Slarp's district. the
sentiment of the voting Republicans
is at least five for Roosevelt 10 one
for Tatt---------
As to the instructions:
How were these instructions OBJ
tained2 Mr.. Slemp did not dare to
give the Republicans of Virginia the
right TO express at the polls their
wishes for president for he and Mr..
Summers both know that the exer-
t1TrS Ut liidl tikfii whit nave 'ceN
the State TO Mr.. Taft by an over
Hahelining majority. Les. than forty
days was given for the meeting OF
| this convention
Although the national convention
comes the latter part OF June, Mr..
| Taft and his friends were In surf
an seony that the convention was
called tor March 1ath In view OF
| the fact that the large bulk of the
al hn
Hunities of Virginia. and at a time
= h"n the long winter had thrown the
farmers behind with their work, this
convention was called at a time when
it was impossible for them to get
there. Even with all the misuse OF
federal patronage to compel this sen-
tiuent there was very decided sem
timent in the convention against in"
structing for Mr. Taft
Pie Counter Action.
To show the utter absurdity of the
presidents assertion that the federal
officials took no part. Mr.. Summers.
who liz a delegate to Chicago, is
collector of internal revenue. and Mr..
Crockett, the other delegate IS Mr..
Siemp's private secretary
other federal officeholders in Viz
ginia who are delegates 10 thg Re-
publican national convention are II.
Is. Lowry OF Richmond. collector %
Internal revenue; +. A. Fuiwiier.
United States marshal for the Wesr-
ern district of Virginia, and Mr..
Smithers. United States marshal for
the eastern district. How many of the
other delegates hold federal Office
do not recall. but / think there are
others,
The Indignation spoken Of bv Mr..
Summers Is among the Republicans ef
Virginia who were practically right to
express their views. and repeat again
the challenge I made to them in Mafch.
and dare them to accept il, II any
proper method TO arrive ut Tire scnrI-
ment Of Virginia was made, for I know
the State as. well; as these. two ntle-- -
men and wo&lId ,he~ Hing to. risk the
nomination of iFf1eodore Roosevelt on
the expressed wish of the Republicans
of Virginia.
see that they in their interviews
were very cautious as to telling the
president about the sentiment of tie
Virginia Republicans. for they know
well that the sentiment is not for Mr..
Taft
All Officehoiders Presene.
I have not heard In my connection
with the campaign of any attempt TO
control these gentlemen who .6elong
10 the pie brigade or the south. Cer-
tain il is that everv oftlceholder in
Virginia who could go to the conven-
rion was there and promptly did some
body's bidding who seemed to have
the liberty to dictate.
One reason Southern Republicans
who do not hold office are SO anxious
for Colonel Roosaveits nomination ana
election is that they believe from the
character of the man that he viii IN
fuse new life and energy into the rot
ten boroughs of the South. and give
us there real Republican form OF
government. That he will he nonlf-
mated no we'll informed Republican VIII
deny and that he will be elected there
can be no doubt.
Can the president be satisfied In
this great battle To obtain his nornf-
nation from the rotten electorate. lie.
knows as we'll as any man that these
Southern states can cast no vote. and
vet the nomination if made. must
come from men who know that no cleo
toral vote COMES from the South This
condition of affairs should stir every
man throughout the length and breadth
of the Union to a greater activity IMAM
ever before to wipe out the miserable
farce of Southern delegates Of office
holders controlling the sentiment OF .
great national convention
tSigned) JAMES s. BROWNING.
nn,s Va T,yp