The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-19
THE COVERNORSHlP
Willard or SwansOnl Which Of ibe Two IS the
More Deserving
HcIllar MllI.. Augu.t -. 1905.

Bclliair Mills. August II, 1905.
To The Free Lance:
Some of Nh SWanson's friends claim
that hr should be- elected Governor
because he was poor boy before hr
entered the political field and that
the Democratic party is under oh
legations To him for services rem
dcred Let's s,e what that party has
done for Mr. Swanson. They have
placed that poor boy in "a high and lu-
crntive office and have paid him for his
services. am told. about seventy thous-
and dollars and are still paying him five
thousand per year. DO you think the
party j. due him yet a large sum Now,
have nothing 20 say against Mr.SWan-
sons record. appreciate his service TO
the Democratic party but at the same
time think the party has dealt very
kindly with HIM Mr.. Swanson - on
some very important committees m
Congress. We think he can render his
STATE and party more aid where De- D.
than elected Governor, and his salart
is about the same.
Some say he should boz elected
GOV. Montague was nominated. Now.
Mr. Swanson was I'm the convention. AMI
as "a defeated candidate it was cN-
p.cted that be- would have something g.
say. and while be- made "a very nice
speech. what else could De- rs a Drmocrnt
nave done? II would not have done for
him to have said Dee was mad and wouii
vote the Republican ticket. But bee did
and said about what any true Democrat
would have done and said. Certainly
that speech alone should not cause th'
people 10 cl,ct him Governor. But hr
SAYS he has great desire To Governor
of Virginia. Well. ! expect there arr
hundreds who have the same desire. hut
is that going Ia cause the voters To clev.t
him?
How is il with Willard? Willard has
filled the Office of lieutenant-GOvernor
impartially and with honor a. the pr
siding officer of the Senate. He l. eN-
tremely popular and L. undoubtedly
familiar with the duties deyolying upon
the Governor. and Is IL not natural, con
sidering the circumstances, that he
should offer for the GONernorship' We
think it is Capt Wlllards record. both
public and private. stands today with
out blemiSh. 80 far a. We have ever
heard. He was charged with having
voted against the jim Crow bill. which
il proven To be- false. as Mr. Eppes. the
Trainer OF the bill .certiiies 10 theiact that
Willard not only voted for the bill, but
told Mr.. Epps that he supported and
voted for it with pleasure. ! think tins
little false charge il gainisg yotesior Viii
lard But some say he il rich Surely that
would not keep man from voting for
him. What a blessing II would be- 10
Virginia if she had few more rich men
like Willard. We think money in the
hands OF man like Joe Willard j. "a
blessing 10 any State or 10 any com
munity While it cannot be said that he
il wastrful with il. yet he has the well
deserved reputation OF being liberal in all
charitable and deserving causes. We
know he has helped 10 tighten the bur
dens and hardships OF some old COnied-
crate soldiers. But you say ne is not an
orator. Neither was General Washing
ton an orator, but he was a statesman.
We have heard Willard on the speakers
stand He presents and makes plain his
points, and il a forceful speaker.
In closing, | will say that Willard will
poll IA large vote in Stafford, Prince Viii
liam and Fairfax, and when candidate
carries a heavy vote at home. we think
he is apt to carry a good vote all over
the STATE. At small gathering few
DAYS ago there We're 10 vOt irs. We took
the vote on the Governorsbip, with the
result, IL for Willard and one Tor Judge
Mann.
believe that Willard will not only he
the nominee, but WI easily be elected
Governoroi Virginia, regardless OF what
the Republicans say or do.
VOTER.