Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-01-13
CLAUDE SWANSON.
Last OF The GubernatOriaI Can
didates to Announce Himself,
Does so in Wholesome Tones.

desire TO announce that | will be a
candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Governor OF Virginia, at the primary
TO be held some time during the present
year.
L am glad that the candidate for this
high office will thus be selected, directly
by the great mass OF The Democratic
voters. All candidates should graciously
acquiesce 10 the VIII of majority OF the
party. This will can be expressed and
ascertained fully in fair and Just pri.
msry, where the use OF all money and
corrupt Influences are, as now In Vir.
ginis, expressly prohibited by law.
From early youth one OF my most
cherished ambitions has been to be Gov.
ernor OF my native State. Tnis lsudable
aspiration has ever been TO me a hope
aud an inspiration In the many trials
and difficulties which have had to
encounter.
/ am deeply seusible of the grave re-
sponsibilities and important duties that
devolve upon this high Office, and. IL
elected, would endeavor to disch. rye
them faithfully, fearlessly and to the best
interest OF all the people. Iwould strive
10 have my administration specially
marked by the educational, moral and
material progress of the State.
l fully recognize the vast Importance
to the State OF thorough, progressive
and efficient system of public education.
The public schools OF Virginia should
equal those of any State Nothing csn
bring to people greater blessings and
benefits than education. ] am aware
that many Of the teachers in the public
schools OF Virginia are inadequstely paid
and that the terms OF many Of the pub
lie schools, especially ia the country dis
tricts, are too short. Funds should be
appropriated to give such teachers a fair
compensation and 10 extend the terms of
such schools. The public schools of
Virginia cannot be progressive and
thoroughly efficient until this is done
My experience both as a scholar and
teacher in the public schools OF the State
made me thoroughly conyersant with the
great good accomplished by our public
school system and impressed upon me
the necessity for its further improvement
and betterment. IL l should become
Governor Of Virginia, the public school
system and all OF her educational instI-
tutions would receive my special care
and attention, and my best efforts Ia
make them efficient and successful.
The agricultural department., organ
lied by the Legislature not msny year,
ago, has accomplished much good and
brought many benefits TO the farming
Interests Of the state. Its usefulness can
be further extended aud increased. As
agriculture is the the first industry oI
Virginia, engaging the largest portion OF
her population, it's development and
prosperity should receive her best care
aud most generous aid.
The disabled and needy Confederate
soldiers, and their widows, deserve and
should receive liberal aid from the State.
The Democratic party Of Virginia is TO
be congratulated for creating a Commits.
sioner OF Labor for the encouragement,
and assistance of the wage. earners. The
usefulness of this position, and its pres.
ent good work, can be advantageously
extended and many more benefits be
thus brought TO labor, not only In pro.
curing just legislation, but also in prac.
tical work and suggestions In its behalf
There Is no more important question
affecting the material welfare and
progress Of Virginia than The improve
ment Of her public roads and highways.
This is demanded alike by city and
country. Good public roads would en-.
hance the value of farm lands and pro.
ducts and make country life more desir-
able and delightful They would also
greatly add TO the trade and business OF
the cities. The extension of rural deliy.
cry in the country further increases the
necessity for good roads. The enhanced
value OF property and products, the
demand that would arise for farm
lands, the impetus which would be given
to immigration and the improved trade
and business, all of which would inevita.
bly, come from good roads, would more
than pay for the expenditures of money
and labor necessary TO obtain them. ]
believe a combined system of expendi.
ture Of money aud labor by local, state
and federal authorities would accomplish
good results in this direction. The s,ate
can derive no greater benefits from the
expenditure of public money than for
education and for the Improvement OF
her public roads.
Under law, the governor OF the state
is empowered 10 make appointments 10
office, TO ill many yacsncies to positions,
70 appoint the members CT the Copora.
tion Commission and the various boards
OF the state Institutions If should be
elected Governor would be controlled
absolutely in the discharge OF these
duties ay what ] believe to be Ia the best
interest OF the state and her people.
have made no promise 10 anyone for any
position or appointment. i shall make
none. II / am elected Governor of the
State, / shall receive the office absolutely
untrammelled, unpledged, and under
obligations alone to the people to dis.
charge Its duties faithfully, fearlessly
and to their best Interest. All the work
and responsibilities appertaining to the
office would have my constant care and
attention. would desire 10 be noted
for my attentive and business like ad.
ministration of the Office.
believe no State in the union pre-
sents greater opportunities for business
progress, material development and
wealth than Virginia. Her shipping and
commercial interests, her great water
power and manufacturing capabilities,
her immense mineral deposits, her ex-
tensive and varied agricultural products,
her unrivaled harbors and opportunities
for foreign commerce, all constitute a
rich heritage which only needs capital
and enterD. ise 10 make VIRGINIA noa ~