The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-07
MONTAGUE And MARTIN MEET
a.. KING GEORGE COURTHOUSE

1UE UVUk lHUUNE
ence between special and general legs-
lntion by saying that had public high.
ways been OF advantage only to the few
instead OF TO the many the Government
would long ago have shown the same
energy In building roads which character
lied Its grants to aid the construction
OF trans-continental railroads. (Applause)
The Governor said in conclusion that II
elected to the Senate he would take his
seat free OF foot and unbound OF hand.
The Governor concluded amid spontaneous
and general applause
Ashton Called Down.
When Chairman Ashton arose to intro
duce Senator Martin he was greeted with
great applause as soon as he mentioned
the senator's name. Although nc said in
introducing Governor Montague that he
was utterly impartial In the senatorial
contest, he made such a strong plea for
the reelection of Senator Martin that
a man In the gallery called time and
somebody else called for three cheers for
Montague.
When Senator Martin arose the court
house fairly shook with applause. Senator
Martin wasted no time in defending him
self. God knows" he said, my record
is open for discussion. ands1 welcome the
fullest investigation OF my private and
public Me" There was a round OF ap-
plause at this. and the senator resumed:
II have not discussed the primary before
In this campaign. ! do not attach that
momentous Importance to the question OF
the primary which my distinguished COM
petitor thinks 1t deserves. do npt
believe the sun will cease to shine wheth-
err senators are elected by the people or
by honorable legislators, as has been
done for one hundred and sixteen years."
Martins Position.
Revcrting to the history OF the fight
for a primary In Virginia. Senator Martin
said When Hon. w. "A. Jones offered
the primary plan at the Roanoke conven-,
ton. eight years ago. was opposed to,
1t, and I had very good reasons for my
opposition. The scheme was to strike
Tom Martin down (applause). but 1t
failed. II ever my distinguished opponent
supported that plan, I did not discover it.
and 1 was fighting the plan. The reason
1 opposed 1t was 1t would saddle on me
10000.
II stand for the primary plan OF NOM
mating United States senator's. The DEM
3ocratic convention must share the odiun
with me II any there Is. but am not
ashamed of my part in defeating the
primary plan at that time and II you
want to defeat me for It you can (Pro-
tlonged applause).
III the assessments are too high said
Senator Martin. they bear as hardly on
me as on any one else. The assessments
were made by the State Committee and
Il honor that committee, for believe they
want to do the square thing in Virginia..
81 want to see the polls opened in every
precinct: I want full and fair pri-s
mary and I want II to succeed so
Eabundantly that the time may come when
q the greatest pessimist will raise his voice
not only In favor Of the primary, but
OF the way3in which 1t Is conducted. The
senator briefly sketched the cases of Sem
ators convicted OF crime or under In
dictment. Smoot is not bigamist as
charged by my competitor He has but
one wife, and his domestic relations are
happy. will give him a fair trial under
the Constitution and the laws Of the
United States. and SO help me God will
not be guided by any hue and cry in
reaching my conclusion" (Applause).
The School Register.
The senator asked, amid laughter and
applause, why should my competitor
be elected because Quay, Dietrich and
Burton are corrupt? But" said the sena-
tor. graft has come nearer 1y distin-
guished competitor than Washington.
Under his very eyes It has occurred in
the educational bureau in Richmond. You
have seen book costing eighteen cents
sold to the schools at seventy-five cents,
and the profits go into the pockets of the
clerk of that board" Great applause)
Even the great Corporation Commits
sion has been discredited In way that
must bring the blush to every thought
full cheek. It was. to say the least,
unfortunate thax the president Of that
commission should have been in any
way beneficiary from the fees paid
by those appearing before that body.
My competitor might do we'll to keep his
himself less concern about the sins of
senators In Washington. The sins are
being taken care Of in Washington"
The senator explained his amendment
to the rate bill requiring that the COM
mission to hear rate cases be composed
OF n member from one OF each Of the
nine judicial circuits. Il
The senator discussed at some length
the proposition to build the roads with
Federal aid: said he favored 1t. but that
ms the bill was put upon the calendar so
for active support had been given him.
The Virginia Resolution.
Replying to Governor Montague's
charge that he had done nothing to carry
out the resolution OF the Virginia Iegls-
slature demanding a unconstitutional amend
ment permitting the election OF senators
directly by the people. Senator Martin
said: II have done no more than any
other Democratic senator, and no less.
1T Is demanding the impossible to expect
!one-third to dominate two-thirds. This
amendment has been asked for by a
resolution of the Virginia Legislature by
several national platforms, and nothing
has been done, because the minority cam
not control theT majority, MS my COM
pettor will find out II he ever gets to-
Washington, and II you think otherwise
you are not tit to exercise the right OF
suffrage" daughter and applause.)
Senator Martins time was exhausted
here and he sat down amid great APP
plapse,
The C0Uarro~Se 81