Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-05-21
POLITICAL.

A. Swanson and A. J. Montague, at
Boydton, Mecklenburg county, yester.
day, was the most interesting event Of
the present campaign. Mr.. Montague
opened the discussion by an s-ssign-
ment OF machine methods and paid bis
respects to Senator Martin along the
lines OF his Roanoke speech. He said
Senator martin was q worse autocrat
thsn Malone bad been, and he appeal
cd to the people to rise up against ma
chine methods. Mr.. Swanson rejoined
In q vigorous speech. He denied that
there was any machine in Virginia, but
said that II there was. Mr.. Montague
was using it, and he stood ready to
help crush it. He denied that he was
q creature of Senator Martin, and eulo-
gizsd the Senator, saying, how
ever, that II any one could prove
he had ever been guilty OF cor
rupt sct, he would denounce Msrtip.
Malone in his palmiest days would
have taken of bis hat to MIR. Montague
as machlnist,n said the speaker, and
added that he, Swanson, would wear
no mans collar should he be chosen
governor. He charged that the first
office Mr.. Montague had ever held WIS
handed him on q machine slate, and
that he did not deplore the methods by
which he was made United States dis.
trict attorney. He claimed much
credit for having helped make Mr..
Montague attorney general. and said
he was not opposed to the machine at
that time. He intimated that Mr.. Mon
tague's machine was throwing him
(5wapson) down all over the State, and
that he was not whining about 1t. He
also intimated that the question of
school superintendent entered into the
election OF delegates, and suggested
that Mr.. Montague tell whom he favor
ed for that Office Ia Mecklsnburg.
Continuing Mr.. Swanson said
II Martins candidate !" he exclaim-
ed in sarcastic tones, addressing Mr..
Montague. MARTIN, my godfather !
Martin, my sponsor Martin fighting
you /" 81 would like you to say who
started this fight against Martin. Did
not you 20 into the May conference ?
Did not you support Tyler for the Sen.
ate and oppose Martin ? II you don't
want Martin to hit you, don't hit Mar
tin. And II be does hit you back, don't
play the cry-baby." Lsughter.)
~ Martins candidate. When / was
a schoolboy ] conceived the ambition
to some day be Governor OF the State OF
Virginia. 1t has for long years been
the goal Of my hopes. Martin did not
instigate INV candidacy. he did not
encourage me to run. Martin has
given me his support. II any man says
he Is running my campaign he utters q
slsnder against me-"
In defending Senator Martin, Mr..
Swanson said, shaking his finger at
Mr.. Montague "If you can point me
to one single corrupt act In the life OF
Senator Martin, 1 will help you to fight
him"
The democrats of Bristol, 10 an en-.
tbusiastio mass-meeting last night,
elected eight delegates to the guber-
material convention, and instructed
them to vote as q unit for Swanson's
nomination, and for the reelection of
Mr.. J. Taylor Ellyson as State
chairman. Montsgue's friends made
hard fight, but they were In the minor.
ity. The meeting Endorsed the can
didacy OF Z. Tate Irvine. of Wise
county, for the nomi nation for lieu
tenant governor.
Senator John w. Daniel and Con-
gresham Il. d. Flood addressed a
large crowd OF voters at Lynchburq
last night on the constitutional conven-
ton, Both speakers earnestly sdvo-
Gated suffrage qualification and the
reduction OF State expenses, and par.
ticularly expressed themselves as favor
ing an enactment by which personal
property should be made to pay Its pro.
portiouate share OF taxes. Senator
Daniel declared himself 90 opposed to
the present method of sppointing school
superintendents, asserting that he did
not think politics should be mixed up
In school matters.
Swsnson's lead in the race for gov
ernor was increased yesterday by the
election OF delegates 10 several coun.
ties and cities. Leaving out East Rad
ford, where there was lively contest,
resulting 10 two meetings, and Ports-
mouth, which elected Marshall men,
the figures stand Swanson, 142 Monta-
que, 107. Swanson carried Carroll, with
8 delegates; Lancaster, with IL, and
Bristol, with s. Montague carried
Smy the, with Is and Winchester, with 6.
The result Ia Lancaster Ia significant,
as that was the first county In the First
district, where Montague claims great