Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-08-02
Lieutenant- Governor Wizards
Address Today


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Joseph 4
Willard today addressed the
voters of Rockbridge in the inter
est of his candidacy for the Demo
cratic nomination for Governor
His address was a plain, thought
full, straight forward statement
of his claims for this high honor
and his audience repeatedly APP
plauded his sentiments. The
Courthouse was fairly we'll filed,
including many ladies.
The meeting was called to order
at noon by Mr.. Frank Moore,
chairman of the County Democrat
ic Executive Committee. He pre-
sented Mr.. Greenlee D. Letcher,
who introduced Colonel Willard.
Mr.. Letcher said it gave him great
pleasure to present to a Rockbridge
audience his former classmate at
the Virginia Military Institute,
whom he commended as a young
man of ability and energy, whose
claims for gubernatorial honors
were in accordance with the law
of promotion. He had served his
party we'll in the Legislature, as
Lieutenant-Governor and presi-
dent Of the State Senate and,
therefore, was we'll equipped for
the promotion to the Governor
ship.
Colonel Willard prefaced his adj
dress by referring to the pleasure
it. afforded him by the hearty
words of praise bestowed by his
friend and classmate, Mr.. Letcher.
Entering into the discussion of
the questions of the hour, Colonel
Willard said that he laid no claims
to the nomination on account of
any party service rendered by him,
but he based his claims upon his
fitness for the position, He in
vited the closest scrutiny Of his
public record, wherein he had al
ways had foremost in his mind
and action the good of Virginia.
Eulogizing the spirit of frank
ness and fair play, Mr.. Willard
clearly restated his position about
the Mann bill. His letter gave
his views fully, but he did not de-
sire to dodge or evade the issue.
He did not regard it an issue Of
the campaign because he had
found no sentiment anywhere for
its repeal, but if an issue, it was a
not gubernatorial is
sue. However, he would state his
views clearly. He did not favor
its repeal. He approved the bill
if it was construed to regulate and |
control the sale of intoxicants, but
not if it was construed to mean
prohibition.
AS to working convicts upon the
roads, Mr.. Willard said that he
was heartily in favor of the pro-
position. COnvicts working in
the penitentiary are brought into
contact with honest labor for the
benefit of individuals, while if
they are worked OH the roads, they
are not so closely in competition
with honest labor and are working
Tor the Commonwealth. against
which they havo sinnad.
Passing to the question of educa-
lion, he said that he was unal-
,erably in favor of adopting the
single book list Immediately upon
expiration of the present multiple
That since the dark
lays of reconstruction until two
years ago the State treasury was
without a surplus, but that the
lext Legislature would face a
surplus of seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars and that he
avored its being used for edu-
iational purposes, beginning with
he country schools which was the
vase of the country's progress
hat he favored better school
houses, better paid teachers and
UGH improvements that would
,lace the poor people of the rural
districts on equal footing with the
titles in educational facilities.
Speaking of the great COM
nercial advantages of the State,
joloDel Willard said that there
vas no better way to improve these
advantages than by having good
Dads and tempting desirable inn {
With the roads in the
resent conditions, people with
apital will not settle in the
'1f the people of Virginia want 6
God roads," he continued, "they |
lust pay for them. 1t will be a
ing time before the United States
overnment ever takes a step to-
ard assisting the State in paying !
Or it's roads,"
republican Primaries Saturday
Republican primaries were held |
! the various districts of Rock.
ridge Saturday to elect delegates l
} the County Convention, which
as held at the courthouse Mon
lay. /
In I,aYinutOn and aaveral nthar