Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-05-17
MR.. SWANSON REPLIES.

ernor, who has heretofore declined to
make any comments upon the attacks
of his opponent, Attorney General
Montague, yesterday made vigorous
reply. He referred especially to Mr..
Mon.ague's recent speech at Roanoke.
After reading 1t carefully Mr.. Swanson
said:
II entered this campaign for the
democratic nomination for governor
With the intention OF conducting an en-.
tirely friendly campaign among demo-
crsts, such ss has always existed In Vir-
GINA. 1 have studiously refrsined from
saying anything or encouraging the
saying of anything which would In the
least reflect upon my competitors, and
have conducted my campaign entirely
on these lines. have always thought
| il wise In contests within the party
to do nothing to engender bitterness, or
which would tend to produce breaches
within the party. But self respect COM
pels me to reply to some insinuations
and reflections upon myself contained
In Mr.. Montague's speech.
| "His iusinuation that am q csndi-
date at the iDstigation OF Senator Mar
| Ito and solely TO defeat him is without
truth. am a candidate on my own
responsibility, and followed my own
volition and wishes In the matter. l
thought that the Office OF governor was
one to which any citizen had the right
to aspire. 1 fattered myself that my
party services, my record and position
10 Congress were such as to entitle me
| to enter the lists with others for this
honor. Senator Martin did not inspire
nor did he suggest my candidacy. The
assertion that he did 30 Is not true. The
| Insinuation contained In Mr.. Monta-
gue's speech that / am q mere creature
Of Senator Martins, and II elected gov
ernor of Virginia would be subject to
his domination, is SANDER which 1 re.
sent and which no fsir-minded man
would make.
81 am perfectly willing to leave an
impartial public to determine whether,
upon all public questions and all other
matters, have not displayed as much
decision of character and independence
az Mr.. Montague. Ibave differed with
Senator Martin frequently upon public
questions and upon public matters. II
Mr.. M0ntague's memory will serve
him, he will recall that four years ago
at the Roaonke convention 1 actively
and earnestly aided him In his can
didacy for attorney general, while Sen
ator Martin supported another. Many
other instances could be cited where we
have differed both on measures and on
men, according to our separate convic-
tions of duty and obligations. 1 am per.
suaded that a comparison OF my record
with that CT Mr.. Montague's will show
equally as much independence of
thought and independence OF action ss
his. l invite Mr.. Montague's fullest
criticism of both my private and public
life, and would be glad for him to
specify any defects or deficiencies 10
either which would render me uu-
worthy OF the high Office Of governor.
He utters cry OF complaint be-
cause Senator Martin sees proper to
support me. 10 the same speech he
emphasizes the idea that 1t is the duty
of every citizen to take an active in-
terest 10 politics and to see that proper
men are selected for office. Yet he
denounces Senator Martin for exercis-
'jip ~ ss. light Of a Virginia citizen
which he urges all citizens &c 1telcsseec !!
| II he honestly thinks that because q
man holds a public Office he should
not exercise his influence 10 behalf
ruh a a
for an office, then he must disapprove
of himself for using bis In
Huence and efforts recently to Sc
cure the election of Gov. Tyler as Sem
ator. Mr.. Montague has aiding
him In his candidacy for governor Con-
gresham Lamb and Congressman Jones,
Congressman Lamb actually aiding him
to the extent OF consenting to run as
delegate in his behalf 10 Henrico county.
II it is improper for Senator Martin to
aid me, it Is equally improper for these
gentlemen to aid Mr.. Montague. l
think ifhe Is sincere and consistent, he
will reprimand these gentlemen for ex-
erciring the influence OF their positions
to aid him In this campaign. From
what l learn, he Is very grateful to
these gentlemen, and has only i'll will
against those he cannot induce to sup
port himself. l make no complaint OF
these gentlemen for exercising the
rights OF o citizen to aid Mr.. Montague
in bis candidacy. / recognize that they
have right to their opinions and their
preferences, and ! have no cause of
complaint or grievance against them.
VI am astoDished at his outcry that
I and my friends are using the party
machinery OF this State to his detri-
meut, II he is 90 earnestly in favor OF
reform and fair and equitable methods,
his time could be we'll spent In restorin.
ing the actions of his political friends.
The first call for a snap primary held In
the State was made by his friends
in Manchester who had control
OF the party organization. His
friends, who had control OF the
party organization in Fredericksburg,
had mass-meeting on three days. no.
tioe. In Goochlsnd his friends, who
bad control OF the party organization,
called meeting on one weeks notice,
and did not get the notices out, go / am
told, until three or four days before the
mass.meetipg was held, and did not
hold 1t on court day, 40 is customary
10 that county. The mass meeting
was called at IL o'clock In the morning,
and by this method many farmers not
having daily mail, did not know the
m ass meeting was held until it was
over. Those who lived ct q distance
would have been compelled to leave
home before breakfast In order to
reach the meeting. Meetings have
been called with equal speed and like
notice by his friends ip other ooun.
ties. In Prince William, l see by
Washington newspaper, the chair
man OF the meeting actually refused to
entertain Q motion made for the cleo
ton Of delegates favorable to me, and
refused to permit q division, but per-
Aaaia raa fhn M4pfanna Aala