The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-03-21
Mr.. Swanson's Denial.

The Times-D Dispatch has received the
following statement from Hon.. Claude a.
Swanson, candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor:
Editor Timcs-Dispa tell, Richmond, Va:
Dear Sirr-I4 have been Informed by
some friends that some q any poli ticai
enemies are circulating the rep9rt ,ha the
amount OF taxes paid by Mr.. Willard TO
the State of Virginia, rs published IN a
recent issue of your pnper.,
M / desire to say that this report Is
absolutely false, and can have originated
only with my enemies for, the purpose 81
icandidacy.:.TI had nothing VIVA tever to
do with the issuance of such clrcular, a ~
have not the Sreinotest idea by whom y
was Issued. have never seen one 1aars 20,
who has received one. In all the years
that l. have been in politics, and have s',s
conducted many fierce and ,hotly contested
4campa Ers, i never issued q circullr, nor
do Ii approve of their Issuance.
bG9 L desire to say further that IL shall
IA any time make any statements concern .r
the Of
people, openly and frankly, and | W ,l
prefer in the presence of those concerned.
iAnd in this connection wish to say
that I shall conduct my calnpaf gn on the
very highest plane, discussing the public
issues and questions involved in good
temper and the proper spirit q hope. the
absolutely fair and free Of all bitterness
and that the law recently passed govern.
ing elections and primaries will be rlgor-.
sously and scrupulously observed, SO that,
when the successful candidate lin the
primary shall have been nominated, his
success will have been attained only by
the most honorable means, producing no
discord in the party, and tina HI will be
received as the nominee Of the entire
party and not of any faction, and thus
+ be enabled ito lead a unite dGDemocracy
vstoy the
fault will be with others--not with me.
Very truly yours,
CLAUDE A. SWANSON.
Washington, D. c., March IS. 1905.
There has been no intimation on our
part that Mr.. Swanson was a party to
this underhand attack upon Captain
Willard, and We should never believe
such thing OF him without the absolute
proof. If any candidate for office in
yirglnta has been lodging the tax coll
lcctor, has been making false returns.
or otherwise cheating the State out Of
her just tribute, it would be entirely
proper for his opponents to make the
fact known, provided the charge should
be made direct by n responsible man and
the accused be confronted with the charge
and given tho opportunity to deny or ex-
plain. But for a candidate to circulate
anonymously a charge of this character,
or Of any character. ganst another cam
dldate whether false or true, and es-
peclally If false or misleading and unfair
would be a means OF warfare in a Demo-
cratic contest SO mean and cowardly as.
TO bring its author into public contempt
and scorn and to render him unworthy
the support of decent Democrats. Every
manly man despses n sneak and the
methods OF sneak. Every bravo man
despises the assassin and all his ways
This is a family affair, friendly con-
test within the party, and the campaign
should be conducted in such a way as
to promote good fellowship and exalt the
course of Virginia Democracy. 1t should
be the honorab Bile ambition of every can
didate, whether successful or not. to show
by his conduct that he is worthy of
party honors.
Mr.. swanson's card has the right ring
about 1t, and it Is TO be hoped that every
candidate within tho party for the high
est honors as well as for the minor hon
ors, will follow the rule Of conduct which
Mr.. Swanson proclnims