The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1898-09-16
Lee and Martin Contest.

RIeHMoND, Va, Sept. 1O.-The
contest for United States senator
ship between Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
and Senator Thomas S. Martin has
already begun in this state. The
latter took the stump in his own be-
half at Winchester on Tuesday, and
declared himself fat-footedly for
free silver and the other planks of
the last presidential platform. 1t is
now Gen. Lees turn to commit him
self on the financial question. He
was Consul General to Cuba, and
out of the country at the last cam
paign, and therefore avoided declar-
ing his attitude toward the Chica-
90 platform. His friends, however,
recognize the fact that Gen. Lee can
not, even if he wished to do so,
longer fail to declare himself on the
currency and other questions which
are to be forced to the front in the
coming congressional campaign in
Virginia. 1t is true that the pend
ing contest has no direct connection
with or control over the selection of
a United States Senator, but the
fight for that honor will begin this
year.
Gen. Lee, it is pretty we'll known,
has already written a letter 10 a
State Senator in Accomac County,
in which he declared that, had he
been here during the presidential
campaign of 1896, he would have
voted for William Jennings Bryan
and the balance of the Democratic
national ticket. The General says
he has never failed to support the
nominees and the platform of the
Democratic party, and he would
not have made an exception had he
been in this country at the last cleo
ton.
Mr.. Martins friends are deter
mined to press the fight against
Gen. Lee, and they will not hesitate
to strike back with all the energy
and force of which they are capable.
1t is their purpose in this campaign
to hold the General responsible for
taking an active part in bringing on
the war between this country and
Spain. 1t was his energy and &C
tivity in pressing the claims of Gu
ba and representing the advantages
which are to be gained in liberating
the island from Spanish dominion
which resulted in bringing on the
war. Lees friends do not fear any
such charge, as they feel assured
that the people of Virginia and the
country at large will fully endorse
and support the action of this gov
eminent in the conflict which prom
Uses to add so much to the prospect
ty of the commerce of this nation.
The fight between Martin and
Lee promises to be one of the most
interesting that has ever been waged
in Virginia since the war. The
party leaders and all OF the machine
element are for Martin. The indie
pendents and fair proportion of
the masses can be counted among
the adherents of Gen. Lee.
Martin started out with by long
odds the most perfect organization,
which nothing but the unbounded
enthusiasm and the personal magnet
ism of Gen. Lee can hope to over
come. Four years ago, when Lee
was opposing Martin for the sena-
torship, as he is now, President
Cleveland contributed $1,000 toward
the campaign fund in this state.
This money was in two crisp $500
bills, which the President sent Lee
in note signed &c. c." This con-
tribution played conspicuous part
in the legislative investigation which
Lees friends forced to be made as
TO the manner of Mr.. Martins nom
nation. Not only will Gen. Lee
have Mr.. Cleveland's indirect sup
port again in this struggle, but, as
far as possible, in quiet way, that
of the present occupant of theWhite
House. Not only will Mr.. McKin-
ley favor Lee, but it is an open Sc
cret that between the two Demo
cratic aspirants for senatorial hon
ors all the Republican leaders in
Virginia will be found lined up on
the same side. Of course, they can
not and will not take any open part
in this struggle which has already
begun in the Old Dominion.-St.
Louis Globe-Democrat.