Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-17
He is Practically Assured of the
Nomination Now.
RESULT OF SATURDAYS PRIMARIES
Surprising Even to His Own Friends
and Supporters.
TODAY MAY SETTLE MATTER
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

the machine politician. The large major
tiles rolled up in almost every part of the
commonwealth of Virginia for A. ]. Mon
tague as the democratic candidate for gov
ernor are sufficient evidence Of the fact
that the machine is on downward course
in Virginia and the strength of its back
bone is already broken. Attorney General
Montague from the first announced that
he was a candidate from a popular stand
point; that he represented the people of
Virginia and allied himself with nobody's
interests. He would not affiliate with any
organized machine movement in the state.
He spoke vigorously against what he
termed the office trust in Virginia. and de-
clined to enter into any combinations. In
deed, he might be called an independent
democratic candidate for governor
On the other hand, Representative Swan
son early in the campaign sent out letter
to many of the men of political influence
in the state, telling them that he was a
loyal man, who never forgot who his
friends were; that he had the support of
United States Senators Martin and Daniel,
and that he asked for their support. He
also claimed that he was supported by a
large majority of the Virginia delegation
in Congress, and intimated that none of
the other candidates could beat him for
the nomination.
When the campaign began his claims
appeared to be based on facts, for the fight
in Virginia who have for years figured
conspicuously in politics. and especially in
cut-and-dried politics, strongly supporting
the candidate from Chatham. For a while
there was disposition on the part of
many to almost ridicule the claims Of the
attorney general.
But there has been a decided change Mr..
Montague claimed from the start that IL
only remained for the people to be heard
from to show how public sentiment, and
not strictly political sentiment, leaned.
He took as a strong drawing card the at
titude of his strongest opponent in securing
the backing of United States Senator Mar
tin, who made no secret of the fact that
he was putting in all his spare time for
Swanson. The attorney general claimed
that Senator Martins support of any indi-
vidual candidate for the gubernatorial
nomination was uncalled for and meddle-
some. He further claimed that the sphere
of a United States senator was to attend to
his duties at the national capital. and allow
the people of his state to work out the
question of electing A governor without
any outside interference.
MIR. Swanson's Position.
Mr. Swanson, on the other hand, main
tanned that Senator Martin, as a member
of the state democratic committee, had a
perfect right to name his preference for
governor and what influence he might
have in a legitimate way for his choice.
In the light of subsequent events it has
been demonstrated that Swanson's cam
paign was greatly weakened by the an
rouncements that Senator Martin was sup
porting him. 1t was in reality the same
old fight, which dates back a number of
years-the old Lee-Martin controversy.
However active, faithful and efficient a
man Senator Martin may be in his official
position, it is a well-known fact through
out the state that he Is not the choice OF
the people of Virginia for United States
senator The legislature of Virginia want
ed Mr.. Martin for senator. The people Of
Virginia wanted General FitZhugh Lee,
and there was the rub. This question has
been dragged into every important election
in Virginia in one way or another ever
since. Hence the reason why this an
nouncement of Swanson that Martin was
supporting him has worked to his undoing.
But for that announcement it is probable
the congressman from the fifth district
would have captured the nomination on the
first ballot. Mr.. Montague laid great stress
on this point during his campaign speeches.
His arguments appealed strongly to the old
sentiment, which was only temporarily
smodering. and the result was that a fresh
fire was kindled, and the people in large
measure felt that 1t was time to rise up
against what they considered a systematic
meddling with their individual rights.
The machine in Virginia has received a
blow from which It is believed it will be
slow to recover if it survives it at all.
T. c. Pitcher, who has long been leader
Oh the floor of the house of delegates says
that Congressman Swansons campaign has
Il L.
porter of Swanson, too. Cyclone Jim Mar
shall, who is in sympathy with Congress-
man Swanson's claims to the nomination,
answers arguments to the effect that other
candidates ought to be defeated because
they do not speak the language of the
tribe with the retort that THE language
of the tribe" is now a dead language" so
far as it applies to the machine in Vir-
ginia-
Montague's Nomination Almost Ger
1t is admitted that despite all combina-
tions or agreements that may have been
made against the attorney general TO
krock him out Of the nomination on the
first ballot and settle another man as
a compromise to avoid a deadlock or po-
litical wrangle. he has so far overcome the
whole opposition and has at this time not
very far from enough pledged delegates
to assure him the nomination. 1t is ad-
mitted that another week will increase his
strength sufficiently to make it almost
necessary to put new steps and more ways
to get into the Montague band wagon.
As result of this state of affairs, II is
claimed by many there will be something
like a political revolution or general shak-
ing up in the old commonwealth.
Following close upon these statements
come the roundabout rumors OF a new
machine" 1t is claimed by many that
there must be a machine" in Vir-
ginia, and well oiled at that, so as to op-
poSo any lIuSpSHutIll movements III pOll-
tics that may be launched to fight the
republican party, and keep the offices in
democratic circles. 1t is claimed that II
the old machine is wiped out of existence
the new machine will soon be in force, and
that it is only a question of time be-
fore it will have gained sufficient strength
to gobble up all the political patronage and
run things completely as did the old
organization Just who will be at the head
of this predicted movement is not known,
but already number Of names are men
4t.a sssNr, y,
Attorney General Montague, William A
Jones, representative from the first dis
trict; General Fitzhugh Lee and others.
Along this line IL may be mentioned that
there seem to be good grounds for the be-
lief that General Fitzhugh Lee will before
long enter Virginia politics as potent fac
tor. There are already rumors that he
may consent to allow his name to be used
for the nomination for Congress from the
seventh district General Lee has settled
In Charlottesville permanently.
Another Interesting rumor Is to the effect
that Senator Martin may be opposed by
General Lee. 1t is generally conceded that