Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-05-27
THE GUBERNATORIAL FIGHT.

lhG w Id T. nv "A IUh1AL II l0 III Z.
We publish the following as COM
ing from the Amherst New- Era,
owned and edited by ex-Judge
Clarence J. Campbell. 1t will be
remembered that Judge Campbell was
prosecuted by Judge Mann in the
Crawford cowhiGing case. The mag
nanimity, as shown below, of Judge
Campbell is worthy a Virginian and
Democrat:
"Old Virginia never tires in politics.
We are in the midst of Presidential
and Congressional election, which
should be concluded before another
one begins. But behold several prom
ihent gentlemen-Hon. Claude A.
Swanson, member of Congress from
the Fifth District; Hon. Joseph 4.
Willard, present Lieut. Governor, and
Judge w. II. Mann, State Senator,
have announced their candidacy for
Governor. Why didn't they wait
till after the Presidential election?
We admire Claude Swanson not only
on account of his macy admirable
traits, personally, but because he is
true and loyal to his friends-a
quality which should be admired in
any man-but also because he took
his defeat three years ago like man.
All of us remember his superb speech
here for Montague (his successful OPP
ponenD and the Democratic ticket.
He said, truly, she who could not
take defeat did not deserve victory"
He is worthy to occupy the exalted
position of Governor of Virginia, and
will be Governor of this old State
some day-as he should be-whether
on January 1st, 1906, or later, the
Democrats of Virginia must deter
mine. Then, Joe Willard, who was
our class-mate at the V. M. l. from
1880 to 1884, is good fellow, who
has made a splendid Lieut. Governor.
He was left fifteen millions by his
father, as ne was the only child. He
is one of the few men of whom
money has not made fool, He has
a strong following and if he contin-
ues as he has been doing, will become
stronger, and will give the guberna-
torial aspirants trouble. 1t is said,
in Amherst three years ago his barrel,
by the Montague Lieutenants, raised
% and 80 cent voters to $3.50 and
$4.00-then the Barksdale law did
not exist. But now, they say the
barrel cannot be used in elections, as
Billy Barksdale played havoc in this
respect. If it could and Toe used it
some one would feel it. Well we
will see. 1t was said money could
not be used in the Amherst election.
in the fall of 1908. Well some
hardly felt it. Didn't we? So it
depends. Lastly, but not least by
any means, Judge w. II. Mann,
author of the Mann Anti Liquor law
"a Virginia gentleman in every re.
spect. In a convention he would be
In danger, but in triangular fight
in primary, he is dangerous man.
No finer man, no purer man, no
better man ever breathed the breath
of life. He starts out with a large
majority of the church and temper
ance people, followed by all the
hypocrities, with a personal follow
ing in all-danger is ahead for the
other fellows. We believe all three
of these gentlemen are temperance
and church men-Willard and Swan
son, We believe are Methodists, and
Mann Presbyterian. What ice the
temperance and liquor question will
cut will be seen. We were the only
member of the Amherst bar who was
for Judge Mann for the Court of Ap-
peals, when Judge Whittle was
elected. He is good enough for any
position. Many DO not admire his
extreme views on the liquor question.
bnt he is all right, even with this
fault in the eyes Of some. Virginia
Democrats are fortunate indeed to
have to select from these three gen
tlemen. We will be proud to support
either of them as the Democratic
nominee-so should all Democrats.
In either we will have good Cover.
nor. Well the primary which is here
to stay will decide in 1905"