The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-22
GLOOMY OUTLOOK
FOR REPUBLICANS
Virginia Leaders See Wrath OF
Progressiveism in Their
Dreams.
SHOWDOWN IN CONVENTION
Federal Offices Can No Longer
Hold Organization for
Standpatters.

Republican leaders in Virginia are
discussing with bated breath the prob
able outcome OF the political stu
alton in this State during the present
year. They have just begun TO grasp
the situation and to realize that the
party is facing troubles such as il has
never before contended with. When
the year ends there may not be a
Republican party in Virginia.
Since the failure of anybody
save Mr.. Munsey 10 see the desira-
bility of Mr.. Munseys plan or re-
union of the Republican and Pro-
gressive parties. and the declination
of Colonel Roosevelt to even agree
to an armistice preparatory to a meet
ing of peace delegates. it is evident
that there must be a showdown be
tween the standpatters and the pro-
gressives in the Republican ranks in
Virginia.
True. in the election of last Novem-
Der President Taft pollcd % .2ss votes
in this State distancing former Presi-
dent Roosevelt. who had to be content
with 2i.777. But IL must be RENE m bered
that many people voted for the in
cum bent because he bore the name of
Repub lican and would not go outside
their party ranks.
May Grab Organization.
The Republicans in Virginia always
nominate for State offices by conven-
ton. Some time during the coming
summer this body will be called by
the State committee. 1t may be cap
tured bag and baggage by the pro
gressive element and turned over bodily
to the use of the new propaganda.
Old line party leaders are clearly
afraid of It.
Much depends upon the basis of
a ~ n tot ion e.. sD,.e
of participants in local mass meetings
fixed by the committee. Should il de
eide that each county and city is en-
titled 10 one delegate for so many
votes cast for Taft, and admit to pre-
lIminary meetings only citizens who
would probably be a convention made
up of the standpat element. who could
name candidates for all State Offices
of their faith and lineup.
In this event. the Progressives
being out in tho cold would in self
defense and in obedience to the behest
of their leader to stand firmly at Arma-
geddon for about four years, call a
convention OF their own. With repre-
sentation based on Roosevelt votes
and elected by Roosevelt voters Such
a body would name a set OF Bull
M loose candidates for Governor and
all other State Offices. iRdorsing the
doctrines OF the Moses OF progressive
ism.
Meanwhile the Democrats should
not worry. With the opposition party
split in two. they can sleep on their
arms and win. In November last
Wilson carried every county in the
State. save two. Carroll giving a plu-
rality for Taft and Floyd a plurality
for Roosevelt. Wilson carried every
county in the Ninth District Should
fight on party lines be carried into
nominations for the Legislature. persons
not Democrats will be as scarce in the
next House of Delegates as snowfakes
have been in Richmond this winter
Guide Andrews will point out to visitors
the Republican memb as a curiosity
The convention of the party last
year was called very early in the game,
and met in Roanoke on March II.
This was before the moose hat had
stopped rolling into the ring. and. with
the boys lined up in advance. there was
little trouble in getting instructions for
Taft. But even at that carly day,
Roosevelt had the cheers and STAN
pede for him impended for time. If
Taft were going to be President again.
Chairman Slemp could hold his organi-
cation with the aid of Federal Office
holders. but as these bones and sinews
of the party in Virginia are on the point
Of kissing their jobs good-by, II VIII
be hard to hold even the men who
voted for Taft in November.