The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-04
WARM WELCOME
TO OT'|'.H||E.GO:||v'|'E||::R.N|l||.0|:|.R:. | ! |: 4 !: J
Petersburgers Turn Out.
in GreatNumbers
tO8HearHim
HIS RECEPTION
WAS AN OVATION.
Eloquent, Witty, and, at Times,
Dramatic, the Governors
Sentiments Were s
Greeted With
Prolonged 8
Cheers.

Especial to The Times-Dlspatch.)
PETERSBURG. VA, August 3.-That
Governor Montague has a host OF friends
4 In Petersburg was abundantly evidenced
by the cordial reception approaching the
dignity OF an ovation given him here to-.
night. gratifying alike to Himself and hls
~armcst supporters. sl + * 5
The Academy OF Music was packed by
an audience whose Enthusiasm at times
could harry be controlled even the ladies'.
whose presence graccd tho occasion.
Joining in tho applause.
N Mayor Jones presided and on the
stage acting as VICE presidents were
seated many representative citizens.
The Governor was briefly introduced by
Mayor Jones, and as on his entrance
4 into the hall was greeted with $vocifes-
GUS and long continued cheering and
VI While his address on general lines was
similar to those delivered at other
points In the state. he held the close
4 attention of the audience from the be-
ginning to the close. Ks
Sparkling Speech. 5
It was a vigorous speech. sparkling
with eloquent pussa ges. strong in argu-
ment, aboundIng in happy witt ticlsris and
sharp satire, aggressive in spirit, bold
In criticism, skiful and able In defense.
At times the Governor was dramatic,
especially 80 when he declared with up
lifted arms and stamping foot that he
wore no mans collar. and was the slave
OF no clique, and when he made his ap-a
peal for support to the free, unbiased
d people OF Virginia and not to secret leg
islative caucuscs. Ks
The Governor said this had been re-
\ marka bic es@campaign In many iespects.
a IT. has been one $of systemat tlc abuse.
H slanders and vIlllficatlon of himself, 4, and
he had received moro OF this abuse than
any Democratic Governor Virginia ever.
y had \ He wanted his audience to know
that all the mudslinging in this cam
paign from the side opposed to him and
not from his friends. For the first
time the last State Democratic Con-
ventIon had failed to endorse a Dem
ocratic Governors administration. It
was feared that II 1t did so some
benefit might cnure to him.
Governor Montague made pleasant ref:
erence to the large B crowd present on
4 such warm evening, and saidISit gave
evidence OF the hospitality Of Peters
burg's people. ..s
Back to the People.
He argued In favor Of the election OF
United States senator's by tho people
as conducive to greater purity IN the
Senate. The people should share directly
in the government and the free ballot
would give them the power to do thls.E
4 man elected to office by monopolists
IS the servant Of monopolists. a man man
elected by tho people Is the servant OF
the people. s,g
He argued In favor OF the primary,
which gives every man the power OF the
ballot and makes one mans ballot as good
MS another. He gave a full history OF the
struggle to secure the primary and crit
tciscd Senator Martins course In refer
cncc thereto. Tho Junior senator had
opposed it at the Roanoke convention be-
cause. as he said II was then proposc0
8 to accomplish his defeat. Fle has since
expressed his Willingness to test the
plan and to submit to Its result, but It
nowhere appears on record that ne favors 8
the plan.
He asked the audience II, when they
enter the booths on election day to pre-
pare their ballots, they Will strike down
the man who has always favored the pr1-
mary and elect the man who opposed It.
Tho Governor spoke in advocacy of bet.
ter schools, OF improved highways and OF
the servants liability law. He had no
fears as to what the people would do.
Martin and Petersburg.
IIe referred to the claims of what Sen
ator Martin had done for Petersburg In
getting appropriations for Its river, and
declared that Petersburg had done more
for him than he had done for the city.
He had been In the Senate for twelve
wears and that overbalanced what he had
done, In fact he had done nothing but
his simple duty. Tho Governor gave a
history OF the settlement Of the Offset
debt between the United States and Vir-
elnia, by which the State saved $3.50, The
credit OF that settlement was due more
to Senator Daniel than to Martin
g A large part Of Governor Montagues
speech was devoted to criticism OF Sem
ntor Martins record, Of the history Of his
first election to the Senate, an unknown
and inexperienced man, over such public
fayorites as General Eppa Hunton and
General Fitz, Lee, He would not say why
this was done, but would ask how IT was
done.
Tie paid an eloquent tribute to Flssnton
and Lee and In connection Herewith 70
the Confederate soldiers. 4
He concluded his speech by declaring
that he was the candidate OF no clique
or faction and had no oilice-hoders to
back him. FIe appealed to the higher
power Of the people and a pure ballot,
and said II elected he would represent
the State In the Senate without fear or
favor.
Governor Montague was loudly cheered
at tho close Of his address and received
many congratulations.
v~ : i 4 4