Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-19
tries would be greatly improved, s. thereby.
opening up the way for financial assistance
from the United States, which would soon
cut Mexico on its feet again.

from the United States which would soon
| rut Mexico on its feet again.
| y Much Ado About Nothing in the G. o. P.,
! J/IRGINIA.s Republican mountain has
labored and brought forth mouse.
| Nevertheless, G. O. p. convention in this
| rockribbed Democratic State always is inter-
| esttug and sometimes amusing. The Roanoke
| foregathering OF the leaders and the events
that preceded it have been both. Champion
of the negro, the party invariably splits on
the rock of color, and this year was no eX-
ception. the lily whites and the black and
tans staging their usual wrangle with the
usual result OF contesting delegations. But
here is Il new result under the political sun
a lilly black faction in the Virginia G.. O. P.
This darkening Of the lily's natural hues is
not likely 10 have any particular effect in the
general outcome, but ii adds TO the gayety
of the G.. 0. p. campaign and seriously, it
is a merited rcbuke to the party which holds
out it's hand for the negro vote and then de-
mics him voice in deciding for whom and
what it shall be cast.
The platform, born OF opposition to the ma
tional adm nstration, barren of originality,
stereotyped, il not platitudnous, is hardly
what the State had right to expect from
the Virginia leaders OF great party Aside
from its peace treaty plank, declaring for rati-
iication. with Article y. emasculated, and on
which orders apparently were received from
Washington. lit contains nothing that is likely
10 loom large as an issue in the campaign,
while even that may be removed long before
balloting time arrives Suffrage for women
is all but accomplished, but. OF course. the
party had to so record as lure to the
female vote. Keep the government out of
private business is Democratic doctrine,
now being restored TO practice as the govern
ment gets out from under its wartime respon-
sibiities. Opposition TO railroad ownership
fails as an issue with the Democratic return
&C 81, Il
marine has been born under Democratic aus
pices after half-century Of Republican in
action. Good roads have been established
as national policy for the first time by Il
Democratic administration. Reduction of
taSes-any party that failed to favor that
plank could not hope TO survive. "a bud
get system is Il Democratic plan which has
been circumvented by Republican log
rollers. "a small standing army with citi
zen reserve is another Democratic policy to
be executed the safety Of the nation will
permit So far as it goes it is not bad
platform. Naturally so, since it deals with
generalitcs. deadwood, or with issues to
which the Democrats have prior claim But
on the one great issue, one that is CONFUSING
the country. the platform is so silent as to
be noisy. 1t does not say whether Virginia
Republicanism is dry, wet or moderately
damp. Was the convention afraid 10 take
position?
thing in acknowledging through presiden-
tial Endorsement, with a score of candidates
in the field and the public mind not made
up, is not for outsider to. say, but credit
where credit is due it must be admitted
that it picked good candidate in Governor
Lowden, perhaps the strongest of the posi-
blities, as the recipient OF its support. And
in Henry w. Anderson, of Richmond, it
selected first-class timber as its choice for
the yicepresidency. Perhaps it is rather a
doubtful compliment to this able Virginian
since it is a forlorn hope to which he has
been named 1t is his political misfortune
that the State which puts him forward is so
solidly Democratic that even lie on the OPP
position ticket could not hope to influence
the result. He. Of course, knows that he
will have no chance in the Chicago conven-
ton. Nevertheless the tribute is merted
and his friends arc glad to have him receive
such honor as there may be in the Roanoke
Endorsement.