The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-30
"A sELF-MADE MAN.
Hon. Posey G. Lester Inter-
viewed on Virginia Politics.

hon. Posey @. Lester, of Floyd
county, who has bsen in the city several
days, is essentially a self.made man,
having been born on farm in Floyd
county about IS years ago and practi-
cally educated himself in the country
schools OF that section. Directly after
reaching the state OF manhood he
entered the ministry OF the Primitive
Baptist Church, and in few years was
the recognized leading minister of that
denomination. Although one of the
best informed men in national
affairs in the southwe and possessing
clear and statesmanlike ideas on cues.
tions of political economy, he held him.
self aloof from politics until, as the
unanimous choice of the Democr
convention, he accepted the nomination
as candidate for Congress in the Fifth
virginia district, which six years ago
had given an overwhelming Republican
majority, and at the time Mr.. Lester was
nominated was considered LOST to the
cause OF Democracy. He represented
the district for two terms and
while he did not push himself
into any undue prominence, his
course in the House of Representatives
was heartily indorsed by his constit-
uents. Mr.. Lester has never allied
himself with Third party ideas, con.
sidering that oldfashioned Jeffersonian
Democracy was good enough for him and
his people, Jet he is perfectly accepta-
BILE to the Democratic members OF that
party and has always received their
Endorsement.
1t has lately been observed by promi-
fa:n ip y q,
case the candidate for governor comes
from Eastern Virginia and was not
acceptable to the Farmers Alliance Mr..
Lester would be good man to place on
the ticket as lieutenant. governor AT
the same time Mr.. Lester is not q candj.
cato and probably has not been ap.
preached on the subject.
In a conversation yesterday with a
representative of THE TIMES the ex-
Congressman from the redeemed Fifth
district talked politics quite freely. He
said: The indications seem to show
that Colonel O'Fe-rall will BIO the next
governor Of The State, although / have
heard OF strong sentiment in favor OF
Major Hoge Tyler, not only in the South
west, but in all sections OF the State,
aad while would be satisfied with the
nomination of either candidate, do not
think that the idea Of the Third party
being prominent factor in the next
election should enter into the conven-
ton. Tho people of Virginia have too
long boon loyal to the Democratic party
to be led away by any side issue Of
Republicanism. At other times when
danger was nigh, Notwithstanding tho
political sky looked dark before the
election, the good people Of the State
would rally around tho banner OF De-
mociacy and bear it triumphantly on to
victory. | certainly think whoever is
the candidate will be the governor.
From my point of view do not sc @
why Col. O'Ferrall wants the governor
sup, be has made brilliant ard on.
viablo record in the house in fighting
tho battles for the rights and God given
privileges of this people whom he loves
so dearly. He can unquestionably go to
Congress from his district as long as he
chooses. lie has, it is true, opposition
for the candidacy and yet is always
nominated by acclamation. Being gov.
ernor Of Virginia is, as you boys would
term it, mascot to mans political
career. No governor Of this State since
the war has ever enjoyed any future
prominence, with the exception of
Fitzhugh Lee, and that is because he is
FitZhugh Lee and not for the reason
that he has been governor of the State,
while serving in Congress, besides the
field OF activity and usefulness it brings
with itself, is stepping stone 60 other
and greater fields of usefulness.