Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-05-19
Friday, May 10, 1905.
SENATOR DANIEL AND SENATOR
MARTIN.


MARTIN.
Senator Daniel is now known to be
actively supporting Senator Martin.
Mr.. Daniel is entitled to his views and
preferences, but "a wise head maketh
q still tongue" and had Senator Dan
lei been wise he would. have left this
political barbecue out of his summer
vacation. There was no real reason
for his active entrance into it. Some
times people haye just enough to do to
look after their own political fences
without mending their neighbours. OF
course it was expected that men like
Col. Button and Hon. III. d. Flood,
who have been loud, long, staunch and
active supporters Of Mr.. Martin,
would shy their little castors into the
ring, but that Mr.. Daniel would come
down off his high perch and begin
speech making for a brother Senator
when it has been doubtful whether it
was real good form for that Senator to
take the stump in his own behalf, has
the appearance Of gentleman q
agreement" if not that of a real Trust.
1t Is known that these colleagues,
Senators Daniel and Martin, are very
chummy; 1t is known that neither ever
got very sQuarely ON the Democratic
platforms 1896 and 1900; 1t Is known
that they, If not sulkers In their tents
In 1896 and 1900. gave very mild aid to
the cause In those two campaigns, GER
tainly In the first. 1t is known that
Senator Daniel was considered most
stalwart silver man at one time, and
that MIR. Martin was considered most
stalwart gold man at another time,
and that they both crossed over and
courtesled from their respective posi-
lions in good old Virginia reel style,
and that they both met at st. Louis
In 1904 as ''safe and sane Democrats,
and both at that time gave VIM. J.
Bryan all the thumps and kicks they
were able to bestow, and We'd with
each other and the rest of the ''safe
and sane" in their efforts to nominate
Parker on gold platform, and posi-
bly, with other aid would have done so
had not Bryan blown the scheme to
atoms by dynamiting their financial
plank.
Seeing how they have managed the
politics of the nation when they had a
hand, and seeing the humiliating attl-
tude Of the Democracy at the present
time in following their lead. it does
seem that quiet should reign in War
saw. that Is the Daniel Wars aw, at
least. This habit of the Senators and
congressman who feel themselves to
be securely housed at Wash ington, in
unison on many subjects tending to
self perpetuation of their power and
prompt drawing of salaries, coming
home and undertaking to dictate, or il
not debating. throwing their mental
weight and influence into the balance
of this or that candidate, is slightly
trying, and if not ring politics in fact,
has the ring of ring, so resonant il
it that the people are apt to so con.
strue it. Senator Daniel might draw
useful lesson from the last guberna.
torial campaign. He certainly re.
members that Mr.. Martin from his
imperial position as United States
Senator issued what was regarded as q
demand for Mr.. Swanson's nomina
tion. From that very day, the DAY OF
the issuance Of the. Martin edict, Mr..
Swanson's death knell was sounded in
that campaign. In this campaign with
that aptitude for a change of heart
frequent with Mr.. Martin he has drop
ped him like hot potatoe, and behold
Mr.. Swanson is now running with
grace and ease, seemingly a sure WIN
ner. Who Can deny that the senatorial
influence of Senator Martin wrought a
GOODNESS for Mr.. Swanson and an up
heaval In favor of MIR. Montague in
that campaign. Why may not the Ben
atorial influence OF Mr.. Daniel have a
similar result In this ? 1t was not Mr..
Martin personally who caused the
trouble. 1t was the apparent dicta.
ton OF United States Senator which
riled the people. We do not want to
be understood as insinuating, much
less avering that Senator Daniel is not
q power In Virginia. He is a power
when discussing national questions
and when he himself is to be voted for,
shut there are many people who yield
nothing to Senator Daniel or any one
else 10 their right to select their candi-
dates, and when he speaks from his
high and commanding place directing
as it were such choice-his choice
they resent it as an unwarranted
interference, if not an attempt at die
tatiOn