Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-07-14

could we protect all the people. y
Gov. Montague closed with an asser-
tion that his candidacy for the Senate
was based on his belief in larger
privileges and for the general inter
ests of the people. 81 do not say my
competitor has favored special in
terests," he continued. 81 am simply
stating my own platform. Great
questions are coming to the front,
among them the regulation of freight
rates. We want a square deal on the
farms, for the people, in our hearts" +"
Gov Montague was applauded as he
took HE seat.
There was an ovation of cheers aud
shouting when the cavalier-looking
chairman first mentioned Senator
Martins name, and when the latter
stepped forward there was another
ovation for him.
CHEERED MARTIN AS HE SCORED.
The Senator began, hitting out
from the shoulder. "My competitor. -
he declared, "has said | have made
more speeches'in the last ninety days
than ever before in my life. But he
is not infallible nor always accurate.
| remind HIM that every year since
have been twenty-one years old l
have given fair share of my time to
every Democratic campaign. l did
not take the stump all over Virginia.
nu have been at the disposal of
the State chairman, who is here to
bear out what | say. lie was at
lberty to order me 10 Que part of
the State or another as he might
choose, and | was always ready to
obey hIu,."
By this time every muscle in the
Sena, a,Or's body was alert. lie was
speaking with great force. There
was the utmost quiet. Facing Gov.
Montague and the audience in turn,
Senator Martin poured volieys of
vigorous sentences, every one of
which made a point. There were
cheers of approval every time the
Senator scored. He trained his
language relentlessly on his "dis-
tingulshed competitor"
81 invite the closest scrutiny of my
public record and my private life" he
thundered amid great applause.
Nobody has ever heard me complain
because of the discussion of my
record. i have been arraigned for
nothing in this campaign that has
disturbed me. My distinguished
competitor says generously now that
as a Senator | have not been for
private interests. / thank him for
the concession. If he had SAID other
wise he would not have been a truth
ful man. / have not yielded an inch
to private interests. Private interests
have never dared to ask me to Weld.
81 am as much IN favor of the pri-
mary system as my distinguished
competitor is," asserted Senator Mar
tin, taking up that subject. 81
don't agree with all he says about
the history of the primary movement
in Virginia. The Roanoke conven-
tion, body of representative Demo
Gratis, declared against the adoption
of the primary plan at that time and
in that way. If my distinguished
opponent was doing anything in that
Roanoke convention for a primary /
have never learned of it, and was
fighting that primary plan. Senator
Daniel, my colleague, was there fight
ing that primary plan, too. 1t was
gotten up" said the Senator, with an
emphasis that shook every fiber in
him, "for the express purpose of
striking Tom Martin down. (Great
and prolonged applause.) That plan
was sprung there at Roanoke under
harsh and urgent circumstances to
put me out of the Senatorial race. If
there is to be any condemnation for
the defeat of that plan at Roanoke it
must be on my head"
Throbbing with an energy that be.
spoke danger for any one who got in
his way, Senator Martin reiterated
that he was and has teen in favor of
a primary as subsequently taken mp
and authorized 10y the Democratic
party. Then, with emphasis that
held every man and woman present
as attentive listeners, he observed
that honest men had been elected
heretofore, and the sun had not ceas-
ed to shine under the methods of
electng officials in Virginia. He
took up the matter of opinion of
holding primary. ait will not on
~ have my cordial support" said
ne, shut you will find me ready to
pay my share, without COMPLAINT.
for holding the primary. MY dis
tingnished competitor seems to 90
on the principle that this is a very
wicked world, and the fewer he
praises the better. 1 see much to
praise In the work Of the committee
that imposed the assessments. want
the primary to be a success, and |
want the polls open in every precinct
In the State. l want the votes count
ed for ali accurate test, for / do not
want the Senatorship unless ! get a
majority of the votes honestly cast
and honestly counted" (Appiause. J
Taking up Gov. Montague's charge
that messengers had run TO and fro be-
tween the Senator's room and the meet
ing place of the committee recently.
Mr.. Martin said thegovernor was sad
ly mistaken. "it is another of his in
accuracles," the Senator declared.
l would scorn to Influence men who
are but pawns upon the chess board.
God forbid. ! made no suggestion
about the amount the candidates
should be assessed for the primary.
The distinguished chairman of the
State committee can tell him that"
A little later Senator Martin spoke
about Gov. Montague's criticism of
quay and other Republicans in the
Senate. "The Democratic party"