The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-17
ALEXANDRIAGIVES
WILLARD OVATION
Lieutenant Governor Speaks to
Large Audience e hat Crowds
S Opera House.
Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatcfn,

Special to The Times-D ispatch.)
ALEXANDRIA, Al, August Is Is. -- -
Lieutenant- Governor Willard spoke here
this evening lin the iiouise 5ofs his friends
"A thousand people showed their! endorse
ment OF his sent irnent sand theirs en-
thusiastic support ~ Il nHng applause;
interspersing hiss thrilling and ,foroeful
speech More than a hundred ladies
occupied seats In the gallery, where they
Joined heartily in the cheering.
The size OF the audience and the spon-
taneous enthusiasm so abundantly man
Tested even surpassed the expec tation
of the friends f4the Lieutenant Gov
ernor in Alexandria. u
The immense gathering was the more
remarkable by reason OF the fact that
about two hundred men. most OF whom
are counted Willard supporters. are now
out OF the city with the light lnfanry
and the fire companies. The meeting
took place in Lannon'S Opera House at
s O'clock, but the crowd gathered earlier
4 In the evening Mr.. Willard, who ar
rived In Alexandria IN the afternoon.
was being entertained at the homo OF
former Mayor George L. Simpson on
North Columbus Street.
Thlther about S o'clock marched
delegation OF 200 men. headed by brass
band, and with this escort Mr.. Willard
proceeded to the opera house. His APP
pearance on the stage was the signal
& for ar ovation Of the most flattering
character. The house was then crowded,
while large delegation OF leading citi-
zens occupied seats on the platform
In an eloquent speech &formar Mayor
Simpson presented Mr., Willard, paying
high tribute to his character. saying
that he was one OF natures noblemen.
His election to the governorship, Mr..
Simpson declared. would insure for the
state pure and honest administration
and an advance In prosperity.
In opening his speech Mr.. Willard said
he was peculiarly embarrassed IN stand
Ing to plead his cause for the first time
In the campaign before an audience OF
his own neighbors and personal acquaint-
ances. After speaking his appreciation
for the demonstration In his honor, he
went on to discuss some OF the Issues
OF the campaign.
He touched upon his public record, deny
ing emphatically that he had opposed
or impeded In any way the bill for the
separation of white and colored pms
ssogers bn railroad trains In virginia,
5IYe explained his reasons for introducing
an amendment to the bill as first pre-
scented. On the labor question, Mr. VII
lard reviewed his record In support OF
the employers liability bill and other sim
liar measures. He favored the working
az conyicts on the public roads OF the
State
referring to the Mann law, no said
he was In favor of 1t, with an amknd-
ment so as to make Its provisions moro
uniform instead OF arbitrary He declared
That the issue respecting that was he-
tween himself and Judge Mann. as he
said MIR. Swanson had declined to COM
nit himself on that question, for which
tho speaker criticised him.
Referring to the letter written by Gran
dali Mackey. OF Alexandria county, Mt
tacking Congressman Swanson, Mr. VIII.
lard declared 1t was written entirely
without his knowledge nor was his consent
for Its publication asked or obtained In
any way. He also denied that HID money
had paid for Its publication and that he
had aided in sending 1t over the State,
As far MS the letter. considered on its
merits, was concerned, he made not tho
slightest CRITICISM OF 1t for good or bad,
but no did say that he himself had been
attacked anonymously by paid ADVERTISE
tments.
He devoted n good portion Of his speech
to enunciatIng his support of the public
better pay for teachers and q, single text
hook list. His words in eulogy of tho
Confederate soldiers received great np-
plause, especially when he spoke OF the
duty of caring for those In need OF help.
Mr. Willard asked his audience to bear
witness that no had not dddgei single
ISSUE but had met each squarely.
He had no apology for being q rich
man, and his declaration that his money
was honestly earned and properly speDt
was received with evident approval. Tho
remainder OF his speech was along the
usual lines.