Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-04-07
Friday, April 7, 1905.
THE FIGHT is ON.

Many people IN Augusta ana SCAun
ton know that Senator Thomas s.
Martin was visitor amongst us last
week. That Senator Martin was well
received goes without saying. So ex
cellent man. and so faithful repre-
sentative. could not fail of cordial
reception even though he might have
been without supporters here, which
he is not. Senator Martin has sup.
porters In Staunton and Augusta. He
has a good many Of them, but we do
not think he has by far enough to in
sure his election in this county. His
reception was, as we say, cordial, but
it was by no means enthusiastic.
There were q number of callers who
wished to meet and become acquaint-
ed with him. there were also "the
faithful" who made point Of calling.
These bore words of encouragement.
these have habit of thinking that
everybody else thinks as they think,
and they saw rosy hues on the clouds.
The bar Of Staunton seems largely for
MIR. Martin. 1t has somehow come to
the minds of many of the eminent
lawyers of Virginia, and those who
would be, though possibly are not emf
nent, that q lawyer must he a supporter
of Senator Martin. They have taken
pains to impress this phenomenon on
the public, and rejoice in the thought
themselves. This fact, however, has
to some extent weakened MIR. Martin
amongst the people, in that it has
given rise to the favorite expression of
Ring" politics. In this there is really
nothing of fact, except that the law
yers are generally more active in their
efforts and louder in their expressions
of opinion. The fact, however, that
they have become SO unanimously
lined up for Mr.. Martin causes some
vexation to the people, If not some
apprehension that the general inter.
ests of labor and agriculture might
not be properly protected, and the in
terests Of corporations too well pro-
tected.
On the other hand they know that
Mr.. Montague does get down closer to
the people, that this very fact which
his opponents charge is part of his
political policy. is great disturber,
and that they would do the same thing
if they could, goes without saying.
Mr.. Montague, we hear it charged, has
lost strength since he became COVER
nor, and that Mr.. Martin has gained
strength recently. The loss of strength |
to Mr.. Montague is certainly imagi-
nary. 1t is doubtful il a real Monta-
que man has changed in the last four
years. Some ''trimmers'' may now be
OutspOken for Martin who professed |
to be for Montague when he ran for
governor, but the rank and file are as
to Montage just where they were four
years ago. Why should they change
What have either Mr.. Martin or Mr..
Montague done to cause changes
Mr.. Montague was overwhelmingly
the choice of the people for governor,
and the same people are for him today.
Mr.. Martin, on the other hand, is not
q magnetic man, and his sudden change
from gold to silver, his lukewarm sup
port of the Democratic ticket in 1895
and 1900, and his recent utterances
against Mr., Bryan. have not tended to
him with the people. II
Mr.. Montague is magnetic speak !
II, he is by far the ablest stumper in I
Virginia today, whilst Mr.. Martin is ]
lot strong on the stump. II
The fight will be most interesting t
me, and will to large extent eclipse S
he gubernatorial contest. Mr.. Mar ,
In the favorite of the politicians. and 8
dr. Montague the favorite of the PEG Y
lie. T