Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-03-12
Clash Over Honors For
Thomas Nelson Page and
Joseph E. Willard. >
A SPIRITED CONTEST.
Anti-Organization Forces Attack DR..
Page on the Ground That ne is Not
Progsessiyc-Bryan Investigating.

Washington, March l2.-Virginla
Democratic Organization" and the
.anti-organ,zat:on factions have
clashed over the diplomatic honors
which the Old Dominion leaders have
asked for that State. The fight re-
wolves around Dr.. Thomas Nelson
Page, the noted Virginia author, who
is lacked by the Organization" lead
ers and Colonel Joseph L. Willard,
former Lieutenant Governor and Il
millionaire, who is supported by the
"ant:-machne" element.
Tne struggle has been carried to
the T.'.lite House. 1t has also been
laid before Secretary of State Bryan.
1t is said that Mr.. Bryan is making
an inquiry as to whsther DR.. Page
is progressive"
The "anti-organization" men are
the most aggressive. There were
laid before the state department
copies of one speech and two letters
which DR.. Page had delivered and
written.
A letter has also been written tc
President Wilson. reciting that DR..
Page has never been found on the
side of progressive politics in state
fights in Virginia, whereas Colonel
Willard not only has led such con-
tests but has contributed freely from
his purse to them.
E.2iloes Of the Baltimore convention
have been brought into the factional
fight. One of the letters which was
turrcd over to Secretary Bryan, was
written by Dr.. Page shortly after
Wilson's nomination. In this commu-
nication the author criticised the Ne
braskan sharply for his attack upon
Thomas Fortune Ryan in the conven-
ton. After stating that he believed
Wilson was the strongcSt man the con-
vent;on conld nominate. DR.. Page
wroie:
"i'he best speech heard in the con-
vent.on was Mr. Hal d. Floods splr-
tied and mastery reply to Mr.. Will
liam Jenning Bryan's unprecedented
demand that duly elected and seat
ed delegate from Virginia tmeaning
Thomas +. Ryan should withdraw
rrorl the convention. Other speeches
were appropriate to the occasion. but
this went to the basis at once Of
States rights and Of representative
government. | was proud that day
that the sovereign state Of Virginia
had representative on that floor 50
able TO defend her sovereign rights"
Another letter useG against DR..
parc was written during the Martin
Jones senatorial campaign, in which
Mr.. Bryan appeared as supporter
Of Congressman Jones. In this let
ter DR.. Page praises Senator Martin
as 4 man who has led the Virginia
Den. ocracy from the wilderness. The
letter was also laid before Secretary
BRYAN by the willard forces to show
tha; Dr. Page is not a progressive
in State politics, and is on the side
Of The machine"
Virginia "anti-organiZation" men
are coming to Washington on almost
every train to help Col. Willard. DR..
Pages friends are not so active, but
they are working quietly. Congress
man Walter A. Watson, Of the Fourth
District. who as a judge presided in
the famous Beattie murder trial Sen
ators Martin and Swanson and Con-
gressman Flodo are warm supporters
Of the Virginia author. .
The fight for Colonel Willard is led
by Congressman Jones, who opposed
Senator Martin for reelection to the
Senate a year and a half ago; Rich
ard Evelyn Byrd, manager Of the Will
son fight in Virginia, Col. Robert Z.
lee, Jr., grandson Of the Confederate
Chieftain; Congressman Andrew
Jackson Montague. Of Richmond. and
other anti-organization men.