Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-07-16
THURSDAY, JULY l6 1903.
A TRIMMER.


A TRIMMER.
We have seen no criticisms on the
course of Governor Montague in connec
ton with the strike of the employees of the
Richmond Power and Passenger Company.
This lack of criticism may, perhaps, be oc-
stoned by reluctance on the part of the
press and its contributors to complain OF
the conduct of the Chief Executive of the
State, or it may arise from a well-laid
scheme Of himself aud his partisan sup.
porters to keep him as clear of the trouble
A. possible. If he should take the active
part IN settling the trouble which his off,
cial position demands and the peculiar
conditions call for, bis future political as
pSations might be seriously injured. lie
jsa candidate to succeed the Hon. Thomas
s. Martin IN the United States Senate; ard
il will not do for him to offend either of
the p,rties to the controversy on which
the strike has been based.
Sec. 70. of the new Constitution says:
"The Governor shall take care that the
laws be faithfully executed MN he
shall be commander-ln Of the land
and naval forces of the State, have power
to enbody the militia to repel invasion,
supp 'ess instruction and enforce the ex'
ecution OF the laws"
Governor Montague YVES very willing
and prompt in issuirg his proclamation
putting IN force the Constitution which
had been ordained, and which, according
to his own positive declaration, WAS
obnoxious to THE VERY GENIUS OF
FREE GOVERNMENT and in violation
of THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
UNDE 2LYING THE MAKING OF
ALL CONSTITUTIONS"
Perhaps the Governor proclaimed the
Constitution as matter Of official duty.
We would like to inquire, what has be
been doing in the way of performing his
duty as required by Sec. 70 of the Con
stitution, above quoted?
We 90 not recall but one instance in
which the Governor has been emphatl-
cally heard from since the strike began.
A report got out that he had talked by
'phone with one of the manufacturing
establishments in the city, advising that
its employees should not be paid of on
Saturday, as usual. His Excellency quick.
Iy denied the report, and then went into
bis hole, dragging the hole in after him.
Governor Montague has formerly been
cllled the cred Fox" in Virginia politics.
His conduct since the Richmond strike
began has hcen in keeping with that title.
He seemed to scent danger to lis polite
al aspiration. and has, like reynard when
.sslose pre- sed by pursuers, taken to a
mole.
, There have been periods in the history |
of the country when the cold, calculating |
time-serving politician could ply his trade
for years successfully; but the time for
such men to pose as statesmen and con-
tinue to thrive, let us hope, Is past The
officer who stors to measure the effect
that an act will have upon his personal
popularity before he proceeds to the per-
Torrance of duty is unworthy of public
confidence and should be sent to private
life 1t the selfish demsgogue as an Office
holder that has made so many good and
true men believe that the only post of
honor is the private station,
A riotous and disgrsceful condition Of
affairs has been prevailing in the City of
Richmond for more than two weeks. So
to speak, a state of lawlessness has been s
existing right at the front door of the
Chief Executive of the Commonwealth. S
How has he used his official power and a
personal influence to relieve the situation?
Is he afraid that he may take some step l.
which would give ofense to either capital 7
or thelabor vote? Does he think policy r
of concealment and neutrality the best to d
promote bis political interests, and to pre- {
vent bis shrewd opponent, Senator Mar n
tin, from gaining a point? For some y
reason, flom some motive, Governor /
Montague has been making himself con-
spicuous by bis absence as factor in the =
settlement of this serious trouble in Rich Fl
mond. Perhaps be will find that he has II
been over-cautious. Il
Congressman Jones, of the First Vir