The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-20
OUR NEW SENATOR.
An Eloquent appeal in Favor OF EH-'oF'
ornor Fitz Lee.


For The Timesl
Ours is peoples government. Ihey are
sovereign. BY the law if a vacancy occurs IN
the office Of L nited States senator during va
cation Of tho Legislature the Governor OF
Virginia fills the place until the Legislature
shall meet. 10 IS great trust ihposed on
the Governor 10 will not be claimed mat
our Governor acting under this great respon-
sibil.ty. can MI the vacancy az pleasure. even
though he has legal authority IOr so DONG.
10 old fashioned notions of right and wrong
il seems he has an official duty 10 perform.
That duty is 70 voice the will OF the people OF
VIRGINIA. whose great heart when represented
bv its best elements always beats time 10
truth and right and wisdom.
As the question stands there can be no sort
of doubt as 10 whom the people want 10 fill
the place OF the great leader who has Just
fallen in his harness. titz Lee bursts from
every mouth. There is but one man IN the
State who could make the contest with him
doubtful before the Legislature. lie Is zen
eral William III. Payne and he has asserted
with emphasis that under no circumstances
will he be a candidate. These facts are known
to our Governor Nobody doubts the result
AT the meeting of the Legislature i u not
the duty OF the Governor 10 listen TO tho
voice Of the people and recognize anu repre-
sent their bebests;
Eut II is said he is looking for man who
has had congressional experience, and can
take up the thread OF the late senator skeln
and continue the unrayelment. ms Is not
possible: who could do IT, II IS well-estaO-
iished and timc-hOuOred custom and tradition
i'm tho nited states Senate that new mem
Der no matter what his antecedents, shall
at first take back seat, aud serve an appren-
tlceship before acting part OF trust ana IN
fuence. Now mark the result Of the proposed
old nH
has long since been shelyed and is on the re-
tired list he is put ia Office until the Legs
lature meets and begins his imitation and
apprenticeship. lie IS not well started ana
warm in the collar OF his new career when
our legislature shall meet and our tltZ Lee
DO installed, and out goes temporary ap-
pointee. Lee, too must next be initiated, and
thus are two 20 be apprentlced instead OF
one-for each must pass the A, Is, &. OF men,
bership.
II is no reflection on the others 70 say that
Lee has rendered cOniessedlv tie most salts
factory administration OF the Governor Office
since the war IN his wise and vigorous
roign was LAID broad and deep the foundation
for the debt settlement. which has since been
happily consummated under the auspices OK
orr present Governor. Our various mining
and manufacturing industries were fOstered
and advanced. our party strengthened and
built MP TIL II swept the state Ike cyclone
with iO.DDD ma Ollll TOT the PRESENT 'DNt Aols
VIII it lie SAID that his war record goes Tor
nauuht now that 1t Is dimmed by distance,
and I'm any event would not serve HIM IN the
new sphere, No fair-minded man Will deny
that many of tho foremost men IN both
houses OF Congress were the foremost men ID
our great war. Fitz Lee has ii national reputa-
ton. lie comes OF stock on both sides that
has Tor generations past made timber OF finest
grain for field and forum. lie IS Ia the me-
ridian of lie, has talents influence, health,
energy and ability t. work, and his career
will be as brilliant as senator as II was as sol
der and Governor.
As % the geographical question bis farm Is
in Stafford. and while he may have voted
occasionally elsewhere. 1t may De as WEI %
assign his residence there as any other part
OF Virginia.
The Old Dominion needs aud is entitled TO
the services Of her strongest SOILS. aud at no
time more than now when her ranks are rent
by discOrd AM q great battle IS 40 hand II
will be a sorry day for the dear Old Mother
when she iorgets and repudiates the past ser
vices of her SONS. both in peace and war. and
when the name IF Loe II held IN honor and
wisdom. shall fail OF recognition on its merits.
Speaking for Virginia OF to-day, tie maine #
Lee will have tho ring Of the Dugle sounding
the charge. and il needs neither q prophet
nor son OF a prophet O. predict that the colors
Of Fitz Lee sooner or later Will crown tie
heights OF victory, and he VIII SIT IN the seat
OF his father. fAiL-LAi.