Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-05-17
MIR. j. l.. Baber's Views.

Nix. EDIToR:
With your permission, I will endea-
vour 90 express my views insignificant
as they may be- as to the relative
position, or attitude OF the two leading
candidates, Swanson and Montague, to
the Democratic party of and State of
Virginia.
Both candidates are young men and
are ambitious TO reach the Gubernatorial
chair. a worthy aspiration, and should
the hope of either attain fruition, the
satisfaction attending should be shared
by the people to tho fullest extent pos
sible.
Without disparaging the ability Of
either, one is more deserving OF our
support than the other. Certainly
either gentleman has the right 90 re-
ceive the support OF every Virginian
who feels interested in his State, ,wheth-
er that support or preference comes
from man who is not known beyond
his immediate neighborhood or from
those who, 10y our choice, occupy seats
IN Congress and the u. :. Senate,
IL the theory bo sound ono, that
men, who occupy positions OF trust and
honor, men who are supposed 20 guard
with jealous eye the best interests of
Virginia and our country. shall not con-
Germ themselves in this contest. A con-
dition has been reached that il deploras
:, -
Daniel, Thos. =. Martin, VIM. +. Rhca
and other trusted men are desirous of
fixing upon Virgnin IN one man or Boss
rule" but that they see new era for
Virginia and believe with Swanson in
the Gubcrnatorial chair he will be able
to contribute moro than Mr.. Montague
To that end.
Virginia contempntes changes i'm her
organic law i'm the near future that will
command the attention OF those beyond
our borders. man in the Gubernnto-
rial chair, whose acquin'a 'ance aud
reputation rs not confined tu Virginia.
would transcend the worth of local
man A man In the Guberaatorial chair
in harmony with our Senators and
Congressman, "A man not ouly acquumt-
ed, but popular, with the controlling
powers OF our Government, could aud
would give impetus to home interests
Mr., Montague in his speech at Bristol
ON the 10TH, inst, stated that he was
the peoples candidate" that Mr..
Swanson was the candidate Of one
man." an "apron string candidate
occupying the position Of "ono or two
candidates sopported by Mark Hanna. -"
Granting Mr.. Montague the right Co his
opinion and according others the right
TO dissent, is il wisdom for a Guberna-
torial candidate to pass criticism like
above? The progress of our stnte will
only be retarded. If we forge to the
front, recognition and assistance, must
of necessity, come from sources we do
not control.
Mr.. Swanson's scope oil vision is too
broad, too extended TO entail retTogres-
sion upon our State.
Mr.. Montague until recently had not
seen,proper to criticize the Democratic
machine, or Senator Martin, in particu-
lar, the worth or influence OF said
machine or OF Senator Martin did not
rest like mighty incubus upon his
troubled spirit four years ago when
he was upon the Threshold OF his pres
ent office. The destruction "of onS ma
chine or ring" means the formation of
another. Every county has one. have
heard of 'Tazewell county ring," and
have been, during the past fifteen years,
impressed with the loyalty of those TO
said ''ring" or ''machine" who hold like
political views.
Our friends, the Republicans, do not
believe in sell destruction. They believe
in organization, leadership, willingness
to accept and recognize leadership and
consequent unifcation of their forces,
gives them control oil the National Gov
ernment today. Why not profit little
by experience? j. l.. BABER.