Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-01-13
SWANSON IS OUT
FOR GOVERNOR.
He Announces His Candidacy and
His Platform.

I1o ] lQtIUIIIl
To the Democratic Voters of the State
of Virginia
l desire to announce that will be
a candidate for the Democratic nomi
nation for Governor of Virginia, at the
PRIMARY to be held some time during
the present year.
L am glad that the candidate for this
high office will thus be selected, d.
rectly by the.great mass of the Demo |
cratic voters. All candidates should
graciouslv acquiesce in the will of a
majority of the party. This will can
be expressed and ascertained fully in a
fair and just primary, where the use of
all money and corrupt influences are,
as now in Virginia, expressly prohib-
tied by law.
From early youth one of my most
cherished ambitions has been to be
Governor Of my native State. This
laudable aspiration has ever been to
me hope and an inspiration in the
many trials and difficulties. which l
have had to encounter.
1 am deeply sensible of the grave
responsibilities and important duties
that devolve upon this high office, and,
if elected, would endeavor to discharge
them faithfully. fearlessly and to the
best interest of all the people. would
strive to have my administration
specially marked by the educational,
moral and material progress of the
State.
fully recognize the vast Importance
to the State of thorough, progressive
and efficient system of public educa-
ton. The public schools of Virginia
should equal those of any State. Moth
ing can bring to people greater bless-
ings and benefits than education. [
am aware that many of the teachers
in the public schools of Virginia are
inadequately paid and that the terms
of many of the public schools, especi-
ally in the country districts, are too
short. Funds should be appropriated
to give such teachers fair compensa-
ton and to extend the terms of such
schools. The public schools of Virgin.
ia cannot be progressive and thorough
| ly efficient until this is done. My ex-
| perience both as scholar and teacher
in the public schools of the State has
made me thoroughly conversant with
the great good accomplished by our
public school system aud impressed
upon me the necessity for it's further
Improvement and Detterment. If l
should b, come Governor of Virginia,
the public school system and all of her
educational institutions would receive
my special care and attention. and my
best efforts to make them efficient and
successful.
| The Agricultural Department, or.
gained by the Legislature not many
years ago, has accomplished much
good and brought many benefits to The
: farming interests of the State. Iti
usefulness can be further extended ant
increased. AS agriculture is the frs
industry Of Virginia, engaging the
largest portion of her population, it,
: development and prosperity should re
ceive her best care and most generous
, aid.
: The disabled and needy Confederate
. soldiers, and their widows, deserve ant
: should receive liberal aid from tn
State.
; The Democratic party of Virginia il
' to be congratulated for creating ;
Commissioner OF Labor for the eucOur
: agement and assista of the wage
| earners, The usefulness of this posi-
/ tion, and its present good work, cal
be advantageously extended and many
more benefits be thus brought to labor
not only in procuring legislation, but
also in practical work and suggestion
in its behalf.
There is no more important question
affecting the material welfare and pro
gress of Virginia than the improve
ment Of her public roads and highways
This is demanded alike by city ane
country. Good public roads would
enhance the value of farm lands anC
products and make country life more
desirable and delightful. They would
also greatly add to the trade and bust
ness Of the cities. The extension oil
rural delivery in the country further
increases the necessity for good roads
The enhanced value of property ant
products, the demand that would aris'
for farm lands, the impetus which
!, would be given to immigration anC
the improved trade and business. all Of
which would inevitably come from
good roads, would more than pay fol
the expenditures of money and labor
necessary to obtain them. believe 6
combined system of expenditure Of
public money and labor by local, state
and federal authorities would accom-
plish good results in this direction
The State can derive no greater bene.
fits from the expenditure of public
money than for education and for the
improvement of her public roads.
| Under law, the Governor of the
State is empowered to make appoint
ments to Office, to fill many vacancies
to positions, to appoint members of the
Corporation Commission and the vari
GUS boards of the state institutions. If
l should be elected Governor 1 would
be controlled absolutely in the dis
chage of these duties by what believe
to be to the best interest of the State
and her people. 1 have made no prom
lse to anyone for any position or ap-
pointment. 1 shall make none. If l