Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-10-27
THE DEMOCRATS EaTHUssD
Churchmsa, Todd and Swanson Address
The voters-Cheers for BRYAN.

the t0ters-Cheers for Bryan.
Monday last was the first day of tn
FOctober term of the county court, an,
as was expected, there was a large at
: tendance. The main feature was th
political speaking, those Oh the pro
gram to speak being the two Democrat
, &c nominees from this county, Hons
john w. Churchlnaa and John W
Todd, and Congressman c A Swan
, son, OF the Fifth district. At the ap
} pointed E0ur there was a good sizel
audience in the courtroom aud the as
semtly was called to order by County
Chairman w. T. McCue, who explained
Its object and introduced as the first
. speaker, Mr.. Churchman. This gen.
tleman served in the last session of the
Legislature and began his speech by
Iglving an account of his labors in that
body. He stated that he had been
elected on a platform pledged to re-
trenchment and reform and had used
his every effort to lessen expenses and
Increase the revenues. MIR Church.
man referred to the action of the last
session in its entirety and declared that
he would be even more faithful in the
next.
Candidate John W. Todd followed
Mr.. Churchman. He began by refer
ing to himself and the Democratic
primary meeting in Beverly Manor,
and made it very clear that the talk
about the betrayal of other candi- |
dates, and the voting of 'drunkards.
conyicts, negroes and Republicans, is
all pure rot In discussing the issues
OF the campaign, Mr.. Todd said: In
regard to national questions. expan-
sion, imperialism, trusts, tariff, finan-
ces, will be found next year where
1 have always been, standing squarely
on the Democratic platform, and vot-
ing for the nominees and this 1
would do none the less cheerfully if
the candidate is our present and past
leader, that great tribune of the mass
es, the peerless leader of the plain
people, VIM. j. Bryan.'' Il
In speaking of State issues MI. Todd {
paid compliment to the honorable
man and Christian gentleman, j. Hoge
Tyler, who as governor has given us a /,
clean administration without scandal, /
Or suspicion of jobbery of any kind. i
He stated that during the fifteen !
7ears the Democrats have had possess
lion Of the State. annual appropria
ions for public schools had increased p
rom 5000, 900 to 1850, 600; besides an
annual appropriation of $4,000 to b
disabled soldiers, and their widowe; Y
nd $l5,0 900 to soldiers home. "While L
shall favor an economical admins
ration of the state government, l t.
hall vote to continue as liberal appro- G
as the resources Of the State n
will justify, to the Hos1 itals for the
insane; the Deaf and Blind; the Old n
folders; and our Public schools" In
ounty affairs, he would favor any sys q
EN- for permanent road Improvement \
be people wanted. But is opposed to
n increase in the rate of taxation, or Il
n issue of county bonds for any pur- 9,
'ose. AS a Democrat he would vote e
With his party on all political questions; R
ut would be glad to look after the in.
erests of all his constituents regard et
,ss of their party affiliations. He I'll
7ould be new member, and have S.
luch to learn, but would have no
boss''-the only master he would d.
ecognizs would be ''the SOW ereign peo- fe
lie of the county of Augusta"
Before taking his seat Mr.. Todd in &C
as the next speaker, Con-
ressman Swanson and as that gentle
ian arose he was greeted with great
pplause.
The speaker dwelt at length on state
sues in his opening remarks and clos 81
d his able speech by referring to Ma ~
onal affairs He reminded his hear M
rs of the poor condition thestate was LII
when the Democratic party gained III
over In 1884 and compared it with as
ne present prosperous condition in !"
very department, including schools, s1
olleges, hospitals, the care OF the old !"
onfeds and the revenues derived from 81
le penitentiary and oyster industry, al
hich under Republican rule were a Vi
* upon the State. This happy con- III
ition had been brought about, said
II. Swanson. without single scandal.
he speaker opposed expansion and
enounced ia scathing terms the Nc
inley administration. His reference ye
VIM. j. Bryan and the Chicago st
latforn was loudly applauded. The b
'eaker related number of amusing bu
necdotes and dealt blow to indie be
all OF which pleased his hear ha
g. The speech was plain and prac- ly
cal and was of kind that can only RI
suit in enthusing the Democrats to fri
D their duty and elect the Democratic II
cket. is
Mr.. Swanson left ON the 2::3O train ce
II Franklin comfy, where be spoke FRI
4 Tuesday. :