Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-17

manner charmed the audience When the
meeting was over it was freely predicted
that Capt Willard would carry Alexandria
by Large majority.
Before o'clock the crowd began to
gather in the opera house. On the street in
front of the building the Alexandra brass
band. discoursng popular airs. reminded
the citizens of the meeting A delegation
of nearly 2O men formed King street.
and. headed by the band. marched to the
residence of former Mayor George l.. Simp-
son. on North Columbus street, where the
lieutenant governor was being entertained,
and escorted him to the opera house. Capt.
Willard took his seat on the platform In
the center of party composed of the fol-
lowing citizens: Messrs. Julian T. Burke,
Ienry F. Robertson. George L. Simpson,
George Uhler. Henderson Garter. William
1-eadbeater. Frank c. Spinks jr., NJ. +.
Vincent. William p. Woods. jr. William H.
May. Carroll Ashby John w May. George
W. Keys. Samuel l.. Monroe. DR.. Samuel
Il Moore. Thomas A. Fisher. a. D. Brock
cit and others.
In presenting the lieutenant governor
former Mayor Simpson made a brief, but
appropriate speech in happy vein. He said
Il was a magnificent and representative au-
dience that had gathered TO do honor to the
son of Fairfax and the neighbor of the poo
pie of Alexandria. He paid the highest
tribute to the character and ability of
Capt. Willard With him as governor of the
state, Mr.. Simpson said, the Old Dominion
would be sure of a pure and honest ad-
ministration, He introduced Mr.. Willard
as the next governor of Virginia crea-
tons masterpiece-an honest man"
Plead Embarrassment.
In opening his speech Mr.. Willard said
lie was peculiarly embarrassed in standing
for the first time in the present campaign
10 plead his cause before an audience of his
own neighbors and personal friends. TAX
ing up his record in public life he said he
had nothing to hide and nothing to dodge
lie denied emphaticaly that he had op-
posed or impeded in any way the measure
introduced in the state legislature for the
separation of white and colored passengers
on railroad cars in Virginia. What he had
Gone IN that connection, he said, was to
present and advocate a reasonable amend
ment To the bill in the interest of small
and struggling electric lines He was equally
positive and direct in reviewing his record
on questions affecting labor In particular
ne asserted his hearty support of the en-
ployeTs liza biiity bill passed bv the state
legislature. At that juncture he asked why
IL was that Mr.. Swanson, his opponent from
the fifth district, had not In his fourteen
years of service in Congress framed a law
OF such nature for national enforcement
HIS objection to the employers liability hill
as hrst drawn was that II was too restricted
In It's scope. He worked to extend IT'S an
plIcalion so as to protect Iaborers engaged
In all hazardous undertakings and when
amended to that effec; he had supported 1t
with all OF his power.
Capt. Willard voiced a nonuIar sa,t,,,a,.
when he declared that neither the demo-
cratic party nor the state owed him any re-
"aru IN the nature OF an obligation for his
public services. He said that he like 9th
ers, INDUCED the laudable amhition Of he
ihg governor. but asserted his willingness
10 abide cheerfully BY the free and nm
uainhtIed choice OF the people whatever
%utI decision might be. He plead guilty
70 me charge Of not being Virsinian by
Olrth. but that fact he seemed to turn to
Siis own advantage before his audience by
a srot,4, ina. ne perhaps deserved more
circuit Tor being a Virginian than others
VINO became so by accident of birth He
said he had been citizen OF the state nv
eho'ce Tor thirty-four years. For being a
Reaithy man he had no apologies to made
his money. he declared. had been honestly
earned and was being properly used Not
cent OF II. he asserted. had ever been
stained with widows tear As to his use
OF money in advertising his Candidacy for
the governorship he said he was glad that
he had adequate means for that purpose
The Mackey Attack.
In reference TO the letter written by Mr.
Crandal Mackey of Alexandria county and
published in the Roanoke Times, attacking
Representative Swanson, Mr.. Willard de-
clared that he had had absolutely nothing
to do either with the writing or the pub-
fishing Of the article. He said his consent
had not been asked or obtained and that
ne knew nothing of II until the commune
cation appeared He denied that he had
paid either to have it printed or dissent
mated among the voters of the state. AS to
the merits OF the article or his opinion of
az, Capt. Willard made not the slightest
reference. He did say. however that he
himself had been yiciousiy attacked by
paid political publications. and asked who
Aad put up the money for those purposes
ONE or his enemies he said, whose name
ne did not mention. had gone so far as to
nave an article printed in northern paper
under the heading. "Rumseller Willard"
Capt Willard devoted a considerable nar.
of his speech to a discussion of the needs
or the state. Passing from an eloquent
tribute to the history and traditions OF yir-
GINA, including warm praise for the con-
federate soldier. he asserted that the COM
monwealth should take up the march of
progress with renewal of energy and en-
terprise which would place her in the fore
front OF the states of the nation To this
end he believed in more liberal laws to at
tract capital to the state. and in great
improvement in the educational system
Longer school terms. better school houses
ana more adequately paid teachers. he said.