Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-03-15


political earthquake; and in the
next place, the Governor will not
have all the people nor the Senator
all the politicians enlisted under
their respective standards.
What most concerns the people
of Virginia, independent of the
politicians and apart from their
manifold schemes, is TO secure a
Senator whose ability, industry,
fidelity, and aStuteness will insure
the State the strongest possible
representation at Washington. In
all these respects Mr.. Martin has
been model Senator. The quail
ty of his service in Washington
compares favorably with that of
any Senator the State has had for
a generation, and under the pecu-
liar conditions that govern there,
his capacity for even greater use
fulness is increasing with every
session of Congress. The day is
past, we all know, when a mans
talent as a stump speaker measures
his achievements in the Senate of
the United States. The real work
of Senator is now accomplished
in committee, at the departments,
and in Joint conference. 1t is there
that personality, skill, seniority
and experience brings results. 1t
is in these respects that Mr.. Martin
eXcels; it is here that he commands
the respect and cooperation of his
colleagues.
These qualities have caught the
attention of the voters of Virginia,
who after all have more good hard
sense than our emotional politicians
usually give them credit for. Their
appreciation of Senator Martin has
grown steadily, and among the
large class of voters who have
legitimate interests to subserve.
without political axes to grind, he
can well afford to submit the ques-
ton of his continuance in Office to
the severest test of popular APP
| prOval. He Is strong among this
class of voters, not because he is
an adept In the tricks of oratory
or cuts a spectacular figure on the
hustings, but because in a quiet.
business like manner he represents
his people and his State, achieving
results when results alone are the
test of Senator's capacity.
Consequently we do not for a
moment imagine that cheap talk
about all the people being on one
side and all the politicians on the
other will deprive Mr.. Martin of
the support of any great number
of sensible or disinterested citizens.
We can readily understand how
Mr. Montague, by his winning
personally, his captivating talents
as 4 public speaker, and his level
headed administration of the Office
of Governor, should attain a great
measure of personal popularity.
If the constitution of Virginia
for good cause-did not forbid it.
he could doubtless secure a second
term in the gubernatorial office for
the asking; and he would fairly
merit such recognition. If high
public Office were simply a badge
of popular favor, a matter Of per-
sOnal compliment and reward. the
people of Virginia could not 90 far
amiss in bestOwing anything at
their disposal upon the gentleman
who now sits in the executive
mansion at Richmond.
But fortunately for the people
| Gf perhaps unfortunate just now
for the Governor), there is another
side to this matter of office-holding.
1t is of least Importance to the
masses what man enjoys the honors
and the salary of official position.
Their own interests are to be con-
sidered first. 1t is the man who is
best equipped to do business on
their behalf and for their benefit
that they are looking for. 1t is
not a worthy recipient of honors,
but a capable agent in the admin
istration of her affairs that Vir-
ginla particularly needs in Wash
ingtOn. By this test Mr.. Martin
IS a representative par excellence.
He has record, as well as the
Governor, that is entitled to recog-
milton and commentator. 1t has
been clean, capable, and effective.
To recall him from a position of
public usefulness as q mere matter
of favor toward a man who has
never had n SiDUla dow of Ioo.;I