Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-10-04
Swanson's Position on Public
Questions

IOliOWluS Is bu0 TcCOEO Vi Tic Dclu
ocratic party in Virginia on some Of
the important questions before thu
people, as given expression TO By Hon
Claude A. Swanson, Democratic
candidate for Governor:
"Before Democracy caue into
power, there was no college where
poor daughters Of the Common
wealth were privileged 20 get the
benefits of higher education. Today
the Female Normal School at Farm
vile, supported by the State appro-
priations, gives to them such oppor-
tunities and especially enables them
to equip themselves for the high and
noble vocation of teaching. The in
creased appropriations for the Vir-
GINA Military Institute. for the Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacks
burg, for William and Mary College
and for the University OF Virginia,
show that since 1t was given power,
the Democratic party OF Virginia has
made it possible for every aspiring
young man of this State to crafty his
ambition In whatever avenues and
lines his tastes and hopes may lead
him.
before Democracy came into power
no regular appropriations were made
for the disabled Confederate soldier.
Heroes who had fought at First
Manassas, at Charlottesville, who
had charged at Gettysburg, and whose
achievements and valor had given
luster to the name of Virginia that
will endure as long as time lasts, were
neglected and left in penury and want.
Since Democracy has had control 1t
has erected and supported for these
worthy veterans Soldiers Home at
Richmond and has made large and in
creasing appropriations for these
deserving men.
Before Democracy came into
power, the insane Of this State were
grossly inadequately provided for,
and h undreds OF these poor unfor-
tunates, who were deserving Of our
tenderest care and sympathy. were
incarcerated In jails and crowded in
cells with criminals and ielons. Since
Democracy has had control this dis
grace has been eliminated, the asylums
at Staunton and williamsburg have
been enlarged, a new asylum has been
erected at Marion, and today there is
not one of these unfortunates in all
this broad Commonwealth who is not
taken care of and properly and amply
provided for.
Before Democracy came into power
not a dime was appropriated to en-
courage or develop agriculture, al
though those following that pursuit
were the main creators of wealth in
this State and constituted more than
three-fourths of its citizens. Demo
cratic power has witnessed the creation
in this State Of an agriculture depart
ment, with increasing appropriations
each year, which will develop, encour-
age and make more profitable thIspur
suit.
"a more splendid record OF improve
ment, OF betterment, Of progress,
cannot. dare say, be presented by
the State administration of a single
State in the Union. To have obtained
all these increased benefits, to have
procured all these new and great
blessings, the people would have
willingly consented to increased
taxation, but listen! Listen All this
has been accomplished, all these in
creased appropriations made for good
and noble purposes, and Democracy
has actually reduced State taxation
from so to 35 cents on the 800.
"This wonderful achievement has
been possible. first, by scrupulous
honesty and economy ia administra-
ton; second, by creating new sources
of revenue. While parties in other
States have been content to declare
In platforms and in speeches for an
income tax. the Virginia Democrat y |
has boldly imposed an income tax
Of one per cent. on all incom es OF
over $500, thus forcing wealth to
pay its share of governmental bur-
tens. Since it came into power, De-
has reached out it's hand
and collected large revenues from the
granting Of charters to corporations,
from the profits of banks, from tele-
phone, telegraph, express and trans
portation companies. 1t has gone
10 the railroad companies, greatly
the amount of taxes required
Of them, and has made them pay a
'airer share OF the tax burdens. Under
5he new constitution a new franchise
AK was imposed upon corporations,
which last year yielded the State
1922, 1890.
"This is the splendid record that
he Dem ocracy of the State has made
Turing Its administration Of twenty
years."
Along Buffalo
Tdz<ffS Coy1,SebOUGe0cr