Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-09-13
The Primary.

have elapsed since the great pri-
mary battle. we propose To calmly
glance over the field and note some
impressions left as the result of
the contest.
In the first place, the result of
the contest for the senatorial NOM
nation, was a distinct surprise, so
for as we are concerned, at least.
We confidently expected that Gov
ernor Montague would be the
nominee.
However, we are aware of sena-
tor Martins resourcefulness and
wonderful tact in marshaling his
forces. These special gifts we're
clearly demonstrated in his first
election by the legislature in 1899.
At that time he was an unknown
factor in the politics OF the State.
and perhaps nine-tenths of the
democratic voters did not know
that there was such an individual.
lie. however, previous to that
time. had in his Inside pocket. 4"
a petition, signed by nearly, if not
quite majority of the members of
the legislature, requesting his APP
pointment to the vacancy caused
10y the death of Senator Barbour.
This, of course was not generally
known, for in those days our leg
i>lators did not consult the wishes
of their constituents about small
matter like that of electing a
United States Senator.
In that effort. Mr.. Martin did
not succeed, for Governor Nc
kenney appointed that grand old
hero, General Eppa Hunton for
the uneXpired term. But Mr.. Mar
tin did not give up the fight. He
wanted to Zoe United States Sena-
tor, and he went TO vork with re-
newed energy, TO accomplish the
object of his ambition. Without
prestagc, or qualifications for the
position, he was enabled To enlist
in his behalf, certain influences, by
which hc astoniShed the natives in
securing his election over General
Fitzhugh Lee, one of the most
popular and gifted men in the
State.
No ordinary man could have &C
compliShed that feat. How it was
done. remains Il matter of historyl
But Mr.. Martin went TO the Senate,
and a large number of those who
voted for him in the legislature,
against the knowledge and consent
of their constituents. went to their
homes, and have been there ever
since.
Mr.. Martin is a man of rare tact
and ability. He knows how to or
ganize and manage his campaign,
else he could never have defeated
General Hunton, Fltzhugh Lee, j.
Hoge Tyler and the peerless orator
and statesman, \. j. Montague.
While we have never admired
Mr.. Martins methods, or diScOv-
cred any evidences of statesman
ship, we would not detract one iota
from the reputation he has acquired
as an industrious and diligent"
representative of the people, in the
Uuited States Senate.
In fact the campaign has clearly
demonstrated, that Mr.. Martin is
about the only representative from
Virginia in the Congress of the
United States that has earned his
salary.
We had always thought that
Senator Daniel deserved the credit
for a number of important bills
passed 10y the Senate in the inter-
est of Virginia, but Judging from
the claims made by Senator Martin
and his friends we were mistaken,
and that Senator Daniel has only
been a figure head, while all the
work was done by Mr.. Martin, and
in this Senator Daniel seems to
agree.
As stated by the Washington
Post, in the election of Senator Mar
tin there is no reflection upon the
gifted Montague. The fact is the
people did not know what superb
representative Virginia had in the
United States Senate until Mr..
Martins record was fully brought
out in the primary contest, for
which the friends of Mr.. Martin
should thank Governor Montague,
who put him on the defensive, So
now that the primary is over we
accept the result in good faith,
UonorS are easy. South Boston