Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-10-21
THE SENATOR AND THE
GOVERNOR.

Ohoer the above caption the Nor
folk OiSpatch recently delivered it,
self of very able as we'll as dispas
slonate and conservative editoria
on the contest of next year be
tween Senator Martin and Goyernor
Montague. The fact that the Dis
p'ttch has not been recognized as 8
particular friend of Senator Martin
lends strength to the editors utter.
ances. After taking issue with the
petersburg Inde1-Appeal, which
paper hauls the Governor over the
Goals for leaving the duties of his
high office in the chase for senatorial
favor, the Dispatch editorial con.
tinues:
The Montague-Martip fight promise,
to be bitter one before It is through
and unless we are mistaken the people OF
Virginia are going to make Governor
Montague show good and sufficient rea.
sons for their rejection OF Senator Mar.
tin. There Is no question but that two
OF the shrewdest, ablest mon in the
country are pitted against one another
In this battle. Neither will have much
odds to ask OF the other In the playing OF
politics. The Slate machines are about
equally divided between the two men.
Consequently, the independent vote
Will probably determine the contest.
just as the Democratic party in national
affairs is asked to show cause why the
Republicans should be turned out. so
will the Governor be asked 20 show
cause why Senator Martin should be
turned out. The Senator has the seat,
and possession Is nine points In the law.
Moreover, the Governor is going to
be asked what remedies he proposes for
the State Of Virginia and the nation
different from those which Senator
Martin is already willing TO supply
The people OF Virginia will want to
weigh the issues which he makes aud TO
Judge his candidacy on its positive
merits.
Senator Martin is u man of force,
ability, and worker. He has made few
mistakes OF which the people have
knowledge. The Governor must en-
tighten the Independents IL he wishes TO
carry the State. Handshaking will not
do 1t, nor will phrase making and
rhetoric do 1t, nor will creditable record
In the governorship prove the case for
him. He will go to the Senate on the
force of his morltorious position on
national issues, If he goes at all. And
Just at first blush it would seem TO be n
difficult task to differentiate between the
position OF the two men on national
issues. Governor Montague aud Senator
Martin are both OF the new, safe. sane
aud conservative Democratic school,
Both of them are Parkerites, inferentially
both of them are Clevelandites. This
position might have been expected of
Senator Martin, and the Governor had
the chance of drawing the line In the
last national convention to which he
went as delegate-st-large through the
courtesy of Senator Martin. But he Is
reported to have out -Heroded Herod In
his enthusiasm for the new program
which in the opinion of the most ra dical
Democrats, including Mr.. Bryan, has
practically emasculated the party.
"lt is rather a curious thing that
neither the Senator nor the Governor is
coming to Norfolk or Newport News TO
speak during the campaign. Somehow.
the great voting population of this
section Is overlooked right along by our
big men. Each candidate seems TO he
willing to leave the situation here in the
hands of political leaders friendly to his
cause.
perhaps both fear the discussion CT
the tariff, the ship subsidy and the Pan.
ANA canal Ia the seaport progressive
commercial centers of the State. Both
overlook our fondness. as a people, for
amusement, our eagerness for entertain
ment, the acquisition of knowledge. and
perhaps neither enjoys the frank and
independent fashion in which all public
issues are discussed in Tidewater. Any.
how, they don't come. 1t can't be be.
cause they don't love usr
Answering the ViYyinian Pilot as
to the propriety of Governor Mon
tague's aspiring to be Senator.
the MdeT-Appeal says: "In the
first place, does tine Pirqin;an-
Pitot think that it is the pro-
per thing for the govenorship of ths
State to be made a mere stepping
stone to a United States Senatorship,
and for the incumbent of that high
and honorable Office to be exploiting
himself from one end Of the State to
the other in political campaign in
which his services are not needed in
the interests of good government or
to ensure the supremacy of white
rule! Is there not good and sufficient t
ground for the belief that the Gov
erpor's activity in the present cam
paign has relation more to the pro-
motion of his own interests as a cam
didate for the Senatorial nomination
next year than it has to the election
of Judge Alton b. Parker to the
Presidency this years Does not the
Firyaata'a- Pilot know that in the late
contest for the Democratic Guberna-
torial nomination, it was openly and
ranaafadIv ohoroad tAok Al a