Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-07-28
SWANSON NO SHIRKER.
Has Done Yeoman Work on the
Stump.

political enemies of Hon. Claude A.
Swanson, to the effect that after he
was defeated for the gubernatorial
nomination four years ago, be went
to Europe and failed to render the
party services in the ensuing election.
Ordinarily" said Mr.. Swanson, 81
90 not reply to such falsehoods but
this has been so industriously cir
culated that / feel / owe it TO myself
and friends to make a statement in
reference thereto"
Worn out with his campaign for
the nomination, few days after the
convention at Norfolk he took trip
to Europe for recupera,ion of health,
returntd early in October, and at
once actively participated in the
campaign. At the request of the
State chairman, he spoke at many of
the important places in the State, in
cludipg DanvilIe, Roanoke, Norfolk,
Richmond, Alexandria, aud many
other places. He said he believed
an examination Of the papers and ap-
pointments of the time would show
that no speaker IN the State, with the
possible exception of Mr.. Montague
and Mr.. Anderson, who were candi-
dates, made as many speeches,
travelled as many miles, aud went
through more personal discomforts
than himself. lie continued: Il
can state TO you some trips | took in
that campaign which, it seems to ME,
will indicate whether | faithfully
discharged my duty as Democrat.
"I spoke in Norfolk one night,
took the train early next morning,
and went to Danville, reaching there
in the afternoon, spoke in Danyilie
that night, took the train at 2 o'clock
and went to Lynchbuig, changed
cars there for the Norfolk and West
ern railroad reached Wytheville early
the next morning, spoke there that
day, and immediately after COM
pleting my speech took the train
for Giles county, which / reached
about s o'clock that evening, and
spoke at once. The next day /
drove quite distance through the
country and spoke at Newport; as
soon as my speech was completed l
took buggy and drove through the
country to Christiansburg, reaching
there about z O'clock, and spoke
there about s o'clock that night.
leaving there on the train about mid
night to fill another appointment the
next day.
81 could name other trips made in
this campaign equally as severe a tax
upon me as this. One has only to
read the press OF the State at that
time to ascer tain that my speeches,
commencing at the Norfolk conyen-
ton after my defeat and ending at
Alexandria the night before the cleo
ton, were warm, earnest aud loyal in
their appeal to the voters to support
the Democratic party and all of its
nominees. was omplimented by
the Democratic press Of the entire
State for the efficient and valuable
service | had rendered.
although / could quote other
editorials to show the high estimate
placed upon my services in that
campaign, yet will quote only one.
The Richmond Dispatch of Satur-
day, November /, 1901, has the fol-
lowing editorial in reference to nv
services In that campaign.
Whatever may be the extent of
Democratic victory on Tuesday none
will have contributed more to it than
Hon. Claude A. Swanson, the defeated
candidate for the gubernatorial nomi-
nation at the party's hands. He has
done earnest, splendid and aggressive
work, but only such work as was to
have been expected of a Democrat
cast In his mold. Some of his re.
marks at Danville, Tuesday night.
were especially characteristic of the
brilliant young Congressman and
strikingly illustrate the fact that
with him loyalty to party and deyo-
ton to Democratic principles rise
superior to every individual con-
sideration and ambition and that is
the test no less of true manhood than
OF political leadership which ruts
honor on its following
''The Times-Dispatch in a recent
editorial has defended me against
this unjust attack and insinuation. %
Bent Her Double.