Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-07-28
Friday, July %, 1905.
SENATORIAL COURTESY.

IftbG ldlICA Vic llOGlCc VI SCudbOT
Tom Martin. This is the first and only
thing for which it has to thank Mr..
Martin. The Senator during his speech
here on Monday read editorials from
the SPECTATOR kind and compliment
tary of him, and then showed himself
unworthy of the SPECTATORS previ
GUS good opinion. Once the editor had
supported Mr. Martin for the senate,
in doing SO it had sought to mollify
public sentiment against him in this
quarter which was still very bitter.
On Monday last that effort was, in so
far as the Senator could Go so by con-
temptuOus mention, impugned as to
motive and denounced as to morals.
Why so? What is our crime2 Simply
that we are not NOW supporting Mr..
Martin. This ana nothing more. Once
support Mr.. Martin, then support
some one else, and you become craven
if not criminal. If Mr.. Martin, as
he said, when he read the SPECTATORS
editorials, was thankful for them, he is
belated in returning bis thanks. If
Mr.. Martin was spoken of kindly, gen.
erously, complementary, by the
editor of the SPECTATOR in 1899, he
has far more to be thankful for than
the editor, who until recently was
never even spoken to by Mr.. Martin
save upon introduction, which had to
be repeated every time they met. If
the editor of the SPECTATOR has
grown sufficiently to be recognized and
mentioned by Senator Martin he has
accomplished something at least. But
the Senator is wide of the mark when
he asserts that the editor of the SPEC
TAToR is supporting Gov. Montague
in this fight because Gov. Montague
has appointed him, the editor, to
position On State Board. For ten
years or more he has been at least on
speaking terms with Gov. Montague.
Gov. Montague counted the editor
among bis friends when he appointed
him, over two years ago. Senator
Martin never was our friend, not for
one moment. We owed him nothing
when he began his race, and we owe
him less now. If we were ever indebt-
ed to him the debt was over paid by
us six years ago. We could not have
Deen close to him when he did not rec
ognize us when he met us On the street
after numerous introductions. Once
we went to see him on a business mat.
ter and talked with him in the Marble
Room OF the Senate. Apart from that
the only other communication from
him we now recall is the following:
United States Senate,
Washington, ID. g.
Richmond, Va, June Z, 1905.
Col. r. S. Turk,
Staunton, Va.
Dear Sir write to request that YOU will
send me your paper to Murphy's Hotel,
Richmond, Va, for three months, begin
hlng with the present issue. L will remit
you upon receipt of your bill.
Yours very truly,
Thomas s. MARTIN.
This letter shows Senator Martin IS
size In some things, as his estimate of
the motives of others shows it in other
things. The subscription to the SPEC
TATOR for one year is one dollar, SO if
three months subscription were taken
by the SPECTATOR the amount the
Senator desired to expend upon the
paper which had done him a kindness
in 1899, was twenty-five cents. The
offer of twenty-five cents and his graf
ltude as exhibited on Monday last
squares our account with Mr.. Martin.
aud we and this rs cent statesman can
begin life over again.
Whilst he processes to be grateful to |
us for having once been kind to him,
we have nothing for which to thank
him either as to manners or money. |
We preferred him to Gov. Tyler wnen
We supported him in 1899, and as be-
tween him and Gov. Tyler for that
position, we still prefer him, Mondays
performance to the contrary notwitb-
standing, but we prefer Gov. Monta-
que to both, because even if there is no
generosity in bis nature. and no graft
tude in his make up, we consider him
an ADLER and better man.
We have been on most friendly rela-
lions with Gov. Montague for about
six years. He has shown his per.
sonal regard for us by his confidence,
ana II there is any doctrine taught in
the Martin school it is that of ssstick to
your friends" Wewould be unworthy
IL Mr.. Martin is sincere, were we to 90
back On our friend Gov. Montague and
support him, Martin, to whom we do
not owe anything, and who
denies us an honest motive or
conviction. If Senator Martin does not
become criminal by sticking to his
friends, we do not think we ought to
by sticking to ours, and if that be a
crime let him make the most of it.
We believe that men usually SUP.
PorI personal friend over a mere
political acquaintance, all things being
equal. But when one has personal
friend whom he earnestly believes is
The very man for the place, then the +;
decision is easy. Good citizenship.
duty to the State, the obligations of
friendship, every ennobliug trait in
human character combine to fix his
convictions and shape bis course. AS
between Senator Martin and Gov.
Montague the choice was not difficult.
We have chosen the latter because of
lis peculiar fitness and bis broad and
statesman like qualities.
We have made no personal attack on I
senator Martin at any time or place, Il
'ut his record is public and that we \