Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-05-23
THURSDAY, MAY %, 1901.
A hOI FIGHT.


The most exciting thing that is now
transpiring in the politics of Virginia is
the contest which is being waged by
Messrs. Montague and Swanson for the
Democratic nomination for Governor, The
former IL posing as the anti-machne cam
didate, and is making furious assaults on
the Martin machine, which he claims Is
directing and controlling the candidacy OF
Swanson. Upon the other hand Mr..
Swanson asserts that he is not the candl-
date of Senator Martin or any machine,
but is exercising his privilege as citizen
OF the Commonwealth in aspiring to the
position of Chief Executive.
There is evidently no very good feeling
existing between the two most prominent
candidates for gubernatorial honors. Mr..
Montague is saying some very hard things
about those who are opposing him. They
are go harsh that if they we're said by the
editor of the Republican" they would be
looked upon as partisan and untrue. Some
of his utterances are as follows 1--WE
don't need any machines to grind one
man into Office and to grind another out
We want government of the whole peo
pie, and if there ever was time when we
needed it, don't you think it is now? 1t
is time that the people should have some
say in some things" He also says that
the present is day of "bribe brokers"
and that "fair field and no favors should
apply in the jury-room, at the ballot-box
and every where" and further that "it is
time for the people to attend to their own
business when bride brokers are holding
up legislatures and assessing candidates
for the judiciary"
This is a fearful arraignment Of the po-
litical methods of his own party associates;
and seems to be receiving the endorsement
of a large proportion of the Virginia De-
mocracy. Mr.. Montague says further that
he would ike to zee the issue squarely
drawn all over the country for clean, hon.
est politics. 1t will be great day for Vir-
ginia if he can get majority of the De-
mocracy TO unite with MIN in that noble
desire and to hel carry 1t into execution.
The fair name Of our State has been great
" injured by the evil practices that have
been controlling elections, and the iniQui-
tous election laws that have made possible
all kinds of frauds upon suffrage. The
Question is, does Mr.. Montague mean to
have all the people the benefciaries Of
honest politics, or does he mean that the
flROIS Ol DCulOCldlc NtC " bC tS1FNN'NN
while those of Republicans shall continue
to De trodden under foot ?
Mr.. Swanson is very much disgnsted
with the course Mr.. Montague is pursuing
to secure the nomination, and does not
hesitate to declare tlat the assertions of
Montague that he (Swanson) is the candi.
date of the Martin machine, or that ne is
tied to the apron strings of any one, are
untrue, and that such remarks are not
worthy to come from the lips of a gentle
man. He also intimates that Mr.. Monta-
que is fractional candid te, the candidate
of that faction which supported the candi-
dacv of Governor Tyler for the senator
ship two years ago. He further expresses
his establishment that Montague should so
long be the recipient of fayors from the
very machine he is now denouncing and
continue to enjoy the emoluments Ct an
Office won by the very corrupt methods Of
which he now so loudly complains.
The fight is hot and bitter one. We
only hope it may further awaken the hon.
est people of Virginia, irrespective of party
affiliations, to the importance of getting
rid of political machines aud fraudulent
elections.