Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-07-12
Mr.. Swanson Speaks Monday to
Large Audience

Mr.. Swanson Speaks Monday Il
Large Audience
Hon. Claude A. Swanson
candidate for Democratic nomina-
tion for Governor, addressed the
voters of Rockbridge at the Court,
house. Monday morning. His re-
: ception in Lexington was a most
nattering one and large crowd
heard his address, which was
} literally applauded.
The meeting was called to order
at ii O'Clock by Mr.. Frank Moore,
chairman of the Democratic Ex-
ecutive Committee Of Rockbridge.
He presented Professor Abram
P. Staples of the law faculty OF
Washington and Lee University,
who introduced Mr., Swanson to
the audience. Professor Staples
took occasion to speak in com
Iplimentary terms Of the young
aspirant for gubernstorial honors,
who was born in Pittsylvania
county and whose sarly life was
spent on the farm, attending school
in the winter and working in the
summer. For two years he taught
school, then attended the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute, graduated in
the academic department of Ran
dolph-Macon College and in law
at the University of Virginia. In
1892 he was elected to Congress
from the Fifth District by a ma
jority of 500, and at his last cleo
ton his majority was over 1000.
When Mr.. Swanson arose to
make his address he was received
with liberal applause, and fire.
quently during his speech his re-
marks were received with demon
strations of approval. After pay
ing a pretty tribute to the people
of Rockbridge, whose fame and |
good deeds are known and appre-
ciated of all men, the speaker en-
tered into a vigorous discussion of
the questions of the campaign.
He referred to the Importance
of the Office Of Governor, of the
vast powers given the chief execu-
tive of the State, and the respon-
sibility resting upon him in see-
ing that all Of the institutions of
the State are properly administer
ed. In view of the business re-
vival now taking place in all parts
of the South, Virginia might right
fully expect to share in the gen.
eral prosperity, and the impor-
portance of business administra-
tion in public affairs is apparent.
If elected, he promised to be
business Governor, to visit all the
State institutions and to expose
any graft or Irregularities.
The speaker discussed the nec-
sssity of improving the public
schools of Virginia, and favored
the adoption, as soon as practiea- |
BILE, of single list of books. He I
advocated longer school terms, bet
ter paid teachers, and a high :
school in every magisterial dis I
5rict of every county. For this /
purpose he favored larger apprO- :
priations from the State for school ,
He expressed himself '
as being in thorough accord with !
The education movement now be- :
ng carried ON in Virginia for the
of the achools. n
Mr.. Swanson declared himself a v
Itrong advocate of public road i'm q
and favored Federal, L
state and local aid in the con- Z
truction of the same. He adj :
'ocated tie working of convicts on a
he public roads instead of hiring 3
hem to private corporations at :
mall wages. O
Referring to the discrimination q
+ freight rates against Virginia 3
n favor of the western States, 3
lr. Swanson advocated the regu- a
alton of local freight rates in the
interest of the people and the in
ustries of the State.
Mr.. Swanson said that he was r
be first candidate for Governor -
0 announce his platform, and that .
yeeks afterward Captain Willard n
nd Judge Mann came out On =
ractically the same platform. h