Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-02-03
SWANSON HITS
FROM SHOULDER
A Political Canard Denied By Con
gresham Swanson and Senator
Martin.

Martin.
1t was stated a few DAYS ago that
Colonel Willard would possibly have
the unions connected with the rail-
roads of the State behind hun be-
cause of his attitude, while member
of the House of Delegates in 1900,
towards the Employers Liability
bill. Attention has since been called
to the fact that when the bill came
up on its passage Mr.. Willard voted
against it.
Some ill-sdvised friend of Mr..
Willard put ont the public report
that Mr.. Swanson, Senator Martin,
Judge Mann and other notables had
opposed the bill while up for passage
in the Legislature, and that Mr..
Willard had favored the bill. This
caused quite commotion among the
notables, with the result that the
truth is coming to light.
While Mr.. Willard voted against
the labor bill be did so because his
amendment extending its provision
to other employees was defeated. A
labor board in 1899 got out a politi-
cal circular and stated that Willard
and Mann had both voted against
their measure, and further stated
that Senator Martin, Congressman
Swanson, Lieut.. Governor Echols and
other notables fought them very
hard; but that Attorney General
Montague and Congressman Jones
aided them. The canard did not
weigh much then, but it is now being
revived. The reason for the arraign-
ment of these notables is very obvious
"a political trick of ardent heelers
of one faction.
When seen in Washington few
days ago Congressman Swanson de-
clared with emphasis that he had
never antagonized the employers
liability act. He said:
"The statement of Mr.. Pillow that
| at any time under any circum-
stances ever opposed the employers
liability bill is an absolute and un-
qualified falsehood. 7 saw Mr..
Pillow to his face and told him the
statement was ABSOLUTELY false. He
stated to me he knew nothing per-
sonally about my opposing the bilL
but that he was told that had done
so. l demanded of him that he
name the author of that falsehood.
He refused to do so.
1.-THE vote was in the Virginia
Legislature, of which l was never
member. defy any man to name
any person, member of the Legisla-
ture, or otherwise, that endeayored
to influence directly or indirectly
against the measure. On the con-
trary, ! favored the bill, aud before
1t was enacted into law or had re-
ceived the endorsement of the Dem
ocratic convention, l wrote letter
to the Legislative Committee of the
Locomotive Engineers that favored
the legislation, and that if elected
Governor, would not only sign the
bill, but would recommend its
passage to the Legislature.
CAS- Mr.. Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, has
stated, my record in Congress shows
| have always voted for and advo-
Gated legislation favorable to the
workingman. i wish and invite an
examination of my record in this
respect, and am perfectly willing for
the. voters to decide their preferences
on the records and vote in compare
son with those of my competitors.
These speak peoples convictions.
Those who circulate in the future
the remarks Of Mr.. Pillow knowingly
circulate malicious falsehood."
Senator Martin was also emphatic
in his denial of the charge made by
the chairman of the Virginia Legis-
lative Board of Railroad Employes.
that he had opposed the passage of
an employers liability bill by the
Virginia Legislature. His attep ton
was called to the interview with
Lieutenant Governor Willard in the
Times Dispatch, in which Mr.. Will
lard quotes from that portion of the
report that gives the name of Senator
Martin as one of the opponents of
the measure, aud the Senator at once
made the following statement:
81 have never seen that report.
and do not know what motive in.
iuced the alleged reference to me.
SO far as am concerned, the state
ment is absolutely incorrect and
untrue.
81 at no time autagonised the
The passage OF the bill. On the
contrary, on every fitting and proper
occasion, / expressed the opinion
hat legislation should be enacted
abolishing the common law doctrine
II non-liability of the employer for |
injuries resulting from the negligence
IT a fellow servant engaged in dan
5erous railroad service. I am now
importing similar bill, which is |
bending in Congress-, making the |
doctrine which hiss been adopted in |
Virginia the law in all interstate |
raff1co