Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-07-21
THE sENAToRsHIP.
Editor of Alexandria Gazette,

Sir-The persistent efforts made by
Gov. Montague and some of his support
ers to rob Senator Martin of the credit
due him for his advocacy and support of
legislation in the interest of navy yard
employees continues in spite of the fact
that the persons mostly interested wiz.
navy yard employee-) have through
their associations and committees rem
dered to Senator Martin thanks for his
aid.
Haviny heard the remarks of Gov.
Montague made in a speech delivered in
the Opera House several weeks ago and
which was substantially repeated by
Congressman Jones in a recent pub
lished interview, we were surprised at
the lack of knowledge displayed by these
gentlemen regarding this legislation.
In reply to the charge that Senator Mar
tin had nothing to d. with the passage
of the bill granting extra compensation
for overtime made during the Spanish
American war by navy yard employees,
as members Of the committee from the
Washington navy yard in charge of that
bill before Congress we think we are
qualified to give a true and impartial
statement of the influence that secured
its passage. II is true, as the Governor
stated, that the bill was called up and
passed upon motion Of the Hon. Jno.
+. Rixey, but we desire to say that this
only carried the bill through the House
of Representatives Upon the bill reach
ing the Senate it was referred to the
committee on naval affairs of which SEN
ator Martin was a member. The writ
ers, accompanied by the late Leonard
Marbury called upon Senator Martin
who promised to do all in in his power
to pass the measure through the Senate.
He was very successful securing heating
before the naval committee for our dele
CATION and after we had presented our
arguments, a favorable note was taken
and Senator Martin authorized to write
The report to the Senate which he did.
Shortly after that the measure passed
the Senate and thousands of dollars were
paid to mechanics Of the country, Vir-
GINA securing large share. AT least
So, 900 was paid to our own citizens em-
poyed in the Washington navy yard.
In regard to the bill granting fifteen
days annual leave to the employees Of the
navy yards, naval stations and arsenals,
we confess that the bill, as the Governor
stated, was introduced in the House by
Mr.. Dayton, of West Virginia, and in
the Senate by Mr.. Burrows, of Michi-
gan, bit our honOred Governor should
know that the introduction OF bill is the
very easiest part of the process; it has to
go through before it becomes law.
Often, as in this case, the authors do the
exert as much energy in favor of their
bills as other ihembers do. This bill
was passed through the House through
the efforts of Messrs. Dayton, Mudd,
Rixey, Swanson and others. In the
Senate this measure was supported by
number of Senators, but none OF them
excelled the Hon. ThOs. 5. Martin in
zeal for this bill. He was at all times
ready with advice and agement to
the committee having this bill in charge,
and the fact that this meritOriOus bill
became law, was largely through his
efforts. As for the amendments, the
Governor said were tackled on the bill,
we desire to say that the bill was not
changed in any respect in the Senate
The joint legislative committee having
in charge these bills, men selected by
the various bodies they represented aud
being in daily attendance at the Capitol,
are certainly best qualified to say who
aided their efforts. The testimonials
Rom the machinists, pattern makers and
mOulders associations bear witness to
the feeling Of gratitude they feel toward
Senator Martin. Our own citizens en-
ployed in the Washington navy yard
are very fortunate, that upon the naval
committees of both House and Senate,
they have such sterling friends as Sena
tor Martin and Representative Rixey
have proven to be. As the undersigned
were members of the committee charged
with the responsibility of looking after
the legislation before Congress, having
devoted our time there and being famil-
lar with its every detail we feel it our
duty in the interest OF fair play to give
the facts through the columns of your
paper to the public. We would be glad
in this connection if we could in keeping
with the facts also give credit to Con
gresham Jones, but as we did not num-
Der him among our friends at the time
we needed help and as we do not believe
he made the slightest effort to aid or as
sist us we can not consistently do so aud
we do not propose TO permit either him
or Gov Montague to detract from those
who did give US every assistance within
their power. Mr.. Jones made pracii
cally this same statement about four
years ago and we challenged it in a pub
lished statement at the time and fur
nished him with the facts in connection
with the matter, and we are at loss to
understand his motive unless it be to adj
yanced the interest of one candidate by
wilfuIly detracting from the other.
w. III. HUNTER,
EDWIN VI. BIRRELL,
w. O'DoNNELL,
B. G. LADD,
X. HENRY LEWIS.
CHAs. II. SQUIER,
ALBERT J. BERRIES,
Overtime and Joint Legislative Com
mittee.
Bombarded by Lightning.
A. ,,rusuo1 f-ooL Sc l;ohtuino "a 70 |