The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-24
LOYAL TO THE PARTY.
Party Organization Essential to Good
Government,
DISCOURAGED INDEPENDENTS.
Believes All Departments Of the State
Government Have Been Satisfac-
roriN COnductcd-Administra-
tion of Justice Efficient.
Against Trusts and
Imperialism.

HOUSTON, VA, oct 23.-speciol.-An
unusually large crowd attended the be-
ginning Of October term of Halifax coun-
ty court to-day the principal attrac-
tion being the announcement that Al
torucy-Generol A. j. Montague would
deliver am address.
Hs fumuod the expectations Of ms
friends. holding the audience Of about
'one thousand throughout his mastery
effort. His speech was one of the ablest
heard here for a number of years. lie
discouraged independents in the strongest
terms. aud said that party manage
rueuf and party organization were essen
ual TO good government
lie was introduced by Captain Henry
Eamuuds iu short and pertinent speech.
Mr.. Mntague's speech was listened 10
with close attention. and he was Hpef-
ally applauded throughout which snow
cd that ne has lost none OF ms great
popularity I'm HanfaN
Hon. W. j. Barksdale. i'm response 10
loud calls made "a short speech Which
aroused great enthusiasm
MIR. MONTAGUE'S SPEECH.
After an acknowledgment of the
kindness always accorded him by the peo-
ple of Halifax, Mr.. Montague commenced
his speech bv a brief sketch of the Demo-
cratic party since its resumption of power
10y the overthrow of Mahomsm.
All the departemcnts of the state gov
ernment have. I'M his opinion. been con-
Quoted satisfactorily. Referring 10 the Ju-
dietary. he sad he thought tho admins
tration o. Justice in Virginia was as
efHclent as our Constitution permitted.
our Judges. as OF Old, have been dScep-
uonally honest and capable. and no scan-
dals have disgraced the bench Our pres
ent Supreme Court bench, he thought.
would compare favorably with the best
DAYS Of the Commonwealth.
So with the p F-ecutlve department. our
governors during this period have had
clean administrations, and from close per-
sonal observation he would say that Viz
gnia has had mo- executive since the war
more devoted 10 his duty, more watchfnl
Of the interests OF the people. and more
desirous to save TO the Commonwealth any
expenditures. than Governor Tylen
40 SCANDAL TO SOIL
In the fiscal branches Of the government
at Richmond. honesty. efficiency and
economy are plainly seen. He thought
80 remarkable, but. unless he was serious
~ mistaken, I'm the long period Of the
administration OF these branches OF the
government by the Democrats there has
been no defalcation, and no scandal has
soied the public service Mr. Montague
then gave figures from the Auditors
office. showing the increase in orr reve-
uuc and the savings in it's expenditure.
The small pay however of many officials
ln the state he thought. false economy,
but could see no way TO avoid this un-
Jess Ihe people ordered some cOnstitu-
ticnal changes.
The large appropriations To schools, coll
lepes. asvlums and 10 pensions was one OF
the most encouraging signs of our time, in
that it bespoke the revival of the older
and better spirit of the Commonwealth
Virginia gives about q million dollars
annually 20 educational purposes. She
still believes that a free government cam
not be an ignorant and corrupt govern
ment and. therefore she eXpends her
energies and makes her sacrifices In the
education OF those who must soon bear
the burdens of state and contribute 10
the progress Of our civilization.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
TIE accentuatcd his belief that I'm no
period since IT'S establishment has our
public school system been I'm a condition
$50 satisfactory and so fun of encourage
mcnt or had the sytem been SO econom-
icaily administered. But he would be
frank to say that the success Of the pub
Die school system was not due alone to
The Democratic party. 10 was largely at
tfibutablc to the general spirit OF interest
and the support which an the people ir-
respective OF party gave to this great
eature of our civilization. lie however,
felt il MS duty TO say that only two
things could impair the service of the
public schools: one was favoritism in the
selection OF teachers and In the practical
operation OF tho schools. and the other
the bringing Of the system into party
politics. lf these evils st in any de-
gree 81 is due 70 the people themselves
Therefore, he felt constrained 20 suggest
that an ounce Of prevention was worth
many pounds OF cure He however, be-
heved that Democracy could now best
administer this great trust and he be
heved tho party would do il as Il had
done it, that is as lovers OF the state and
Tor her future good, and not as psrti-
cans
Mr. Montague next spoke Of our public
roads. subject of deep interest TO him.
and one 70 which be has given much
consideration. lie then discussed national
affairs. aiuding briefly 60 tariff and h-
nance, and 90 the plain trend of the Re-
publican party 60 administer The Federal
government in the interest Of a few. Re-
ferrng 60 the currency. hc was "a Demo-
craf OF the old hard-m0nev type. and
in that gold was absolutely insufficient n
quantity 90 meet the demands OF a safe.
sound and sufficient currency. he be-
lievod II % be necessary 10 place our
finance upon bimctaluic basis. and
unless ir was done we might expect fre-
ouent occurrences OF panics ANA monetary
troubles.
WOULD CONTROL TRUSTS.
Tie next spoke 90 the necessity Of logis-
latlon % control trusts; hc believed they
should be- brought clearly within me
common law inhibitions against monopo-
lies and restraints OF trade lie would 20
further and say that II the common law
was insufficient 20 give the remedy 20
control these modern and oppressive types
~ INDUSTRY, then new laws should p,
3restsd 70 coniio. and regulate such pow
srful menogolles. he said he looked with
W