The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-16
FAIR FIGHT AND NO TAvoRs.

The Charlottesville Progress reproduces
some remarks of ours concerning Mr..
Swonson,s "confidcntial' letter, and adds:
We do not know what Major Tyler
declared during his candidacy, but II he
has not done exactly what Mr.. Swanson
announces that he will do, if elected. we
have been lnisinformcd. SO lar as we
know he has looked out for ms 1flehus,
and appointed none but his personal sup
nortcr, TO office. whenever he found such
nropcrly qualified. That is all MI swan
son has promised and gratitude and 10y
aitv 10 friends are too rare among politi-
clans 10 rn discouraged. Those who know
Mr. Swanson believe that he Will remcln-
bo,- his friends gratefully, and that ms
e-,atit11de will extend beyond the point
of personal service to him. we shoniu
hate 10 think that Mr.. Montague or ME.
Echols would do less.
pou,t lei us as Democrats be too crltl-
cal or allow our personal preferences
carry us too far in the matter OF either
blame or praise. The contest is between
Democrats, and nothing Will be gained pS
wholesale, indiscriminate abuse sesides'
,bcre remains plenty of time in which to
get excited
II was with reluctance that we under
took TO criticise Mr.. Swanson's letter, Tor
we knew that our motive would be mis-
understood. Our relationship With Mr..
Swanson has always been friendly ana
we were loat!l to put The Times in the at
tjtude of opposing his candidacy, TOR that
is not our attitude. We have simply en-
Moved the incident 10 illustrate condi-
" the TIIla
here for a man who seeks office to ignore
the voters and make terms with the party
mowers. Having made his peace at head
nuarters he then tries to engage the ser
vices Of the ,;arty workers here and there
throughout the State. And. more's the
pity that is the method which most sure
IN promises success. Every man who is
al all Informed knows this to be true, and
The Times loses no opportunity to i'm
press the fact
Mr.. Swanson has plainly adopted these
tactics. He tells the men to whom his
letter is addressed that certain party men,
high in authority, are favorable to his
candidacy. He serves notice upon them
that he IS the candidate OF the Powers,
and that the Powers desire that the party
workers throughout the State shall work
for Mr.. Swanson. Is it not so plain that
an the workers may understand He fol-
lows this up by telling The party workers
that he is loyal to his friends and that he
vii, remember them when he gets into the
Governors chair Isn't that very plain
also? Isn't it the promise OF a political!
reward for political service rendered
That is the system against which we pro-
resi- for it snacks OF political oligarchy.
The Charlottesville Progress says that
Governor Tyler has appointed his per-
sonai friends to Office. That is not the
onestiou under discussion. Qualifications
being equal, it is to be presumed that the
Governor will favor his friends IN be-
slowing patronage and, as politics goes.
there is nothing wrong in showing such
sayoritisn But when a candidate makes
an agreemer. IN advance to hestow pat
ronace in return for services rendered in
1 the interest CT his candidacy, that is
quite another proposition.
we desire to be entirely fair to Mr..
Swanson. Our columns are open to hin,
TO reply to any criticisms that We have
made. and we make him this proposition:
If he will say that he did not mean in
his published letter to say to each person
addressed that he would give some sort
OF patronage. in the event of his election,
in exchange for work in behalf of his
candidacy. The Times will frankly admit