Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-21
virginia's Candidate

n AFTER GLASS for President.
~ Unanimous choice OF the Democratic
convention at Roanoke, selection of Nir-
ginias Junior Senator to lead its hosts in
the coming political battle meets with gen.
eral approval throughout the State.
Stranger things have happened than that
Carter Glass should emerge from the con-
vention at San Francisco tho chosen can
didate of the Democratic party. 1t has been
assumed that no Virginian--no man from
any Southern or nonpivotal State-would
have chance. That premise has been true
in the past; ordinarily it would BIO true now.
But these are not ordinary times, and the
cut-and.dried conclusions that have ruled
former conventions may have to be cast
into the discard when The party foregathers
i'll June. From the improbable, "favorite
SON. class, the candidacy of Mr.. Glass may
become one OF the strong possibilities.
On Mr.. Glass qualifications for the presi-
dcncy no comment is necessary. His record
as Il public servant is an open book to the
American people. Head and shoulders he
stands above most men in public life today.
AS Representative, father of tho Federal
reserve system; as Secretary of the Treas
ury. handling the Victory loan, and as SEN
ator, confdant and adviser Of the Presi-
dent, his career marks him as that sort OF
sound timber from which Presidents are
made. product OF Virginia, no has risen
far above State lines, and has become the
real American citizen.
Admitting, then, his qualifications, what
OF his chances? No other Southern man
is seriously considered. Mr.. Glass will go
into the convention with Virginia's twenty
four votes. and rs the balloting proceeds
and the "favorite sons" are eliminated, he
should reach the final stages with the "solid
South" behind him. At present not one Of
the active candidates has commanding
lead and study OF existing political con-
dtions confirms the belief that in the alb
scnce of unexpected developments not one
OF them can achieve tho necessary two
thirds vote. Every possible combination
has been considered and tho almost unani-
nous decision is that n compromise candi-
date must be drafted to bring the party ele-
ments into harmony. AS an available com
promise candidate Mr.. Glass will figure con-
spicuously
If MIR. Wilson has n choice, he has not
indicated II. The public believes he pre-
fcrs Mr.. McAdoo. but the pre-convention
figures seem to preclude his nomination.
With him eliminated 1t is not unlikely that
the administration forces would be thrown
to Mr.. Glass. The Virgnian is strongly in
favor with the President, and he has been
ut one with him, and enc OF his chief aids
in all his policies. It is no secret that Mr..
Glass drafted in its entirety the platform
adopted at Roanoke, and that it sub
mttcd TO the President, who gave it his
cordial approval. Then, with the admins
tration backing and the solid support Of
tho South. but one political factor could
prevent his nomination. That is the Bryan
wing. which is likely to hold the balance
OF power in the selection of compromise
candidate. Mr.. Glass has supported Bryan
in his various campaigns and in recent
years their courses have not been noticeably
antagonistic. Hence, in Mr.. Bryan's in
ability 10 force his own first choice upon
the convention, 1t is not inconceivable that
Mr.. Glass would come nearer winning his
acceptance than any other candidate.
Mr. Glass. as the partys candidate. on a
platform along the general lines OF the
Roanoke document, would make a strong
appeal to the country. He has the con-
fdence Of capital and labor, Of the great
farming interests and sound business gen.
orally. lie has created few antagonisms
and he could bring the party together as
one great fighting machine which. in No
vembcr would without doubt send the
obstructionist Republican party to its de-
served reputation.