Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-01
MR.. MONTAGUE AS RAILROAD
LAWYER.

MR. MONTAtUE AS hAlLhOAD
LAWYER.
The Index-Appeal has never been of
those that condemned as contrary to
sound public policy, or as in any way
incompatible with the public service, or
as inconsistent with the highest duties
of citizenship, an attorneyship for
railroad or other corporation merely for
the transaction of its legal business
and the protection of the legal interests.
Railroads and ether corporations have
rights under the law just as individuals
and private concerns have, and lawyers
are Just as necessary to them as are
other officials and employees. That is
what lawyers are for, and no more odium
attaches TO this class of professionals
service than to any other, though there
has, from time to time, been a senseless
clamor against corporation lawyers as
enemies of popular rights and as dis
qualified to serve the people in execu-
tive. legislative and judicial positions.
The friends of Mr.. Montague have
found favOrte mode of attack on Sen
ator Martin in the charge that he was
corporation lawyer and they have work
ed upon the prcjudices of the people to
create the impression that he is still in
the interests and under the influence
and control of the corporations, to the
detriment of the public welfare. No
mode OF political attack, whether by
innuendO or open charge, could be
more unworthy and false. Prior to
Senator Martins election to the United
States Senate he was for number
of wears counsel for the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad company in
four counties, viz. Albemarle, Bucking-
ham, Fluvanna and Goochland, at n
salary of 81, 900 per annum. He was
only employed to look after the legal
business of the road in that territory,
and had nothing whatever TO do with
matters PERTAINING to legislation, or any.
thing else. During that time he held
no office that imposed public duties upon
him inconsistent with his relations to the
railroad. So far from bis being the
creature of the railroad in his first candi-
dacy for the United States senatorship,
it is fact that every railroad president in
Virginia opposed him then, and, so far
as we can learn, they are opposing him
now. Mr.. ingalls,, the president of the
Chesapeake q Ohio railroad, was exceed
ingly active against him in his candidacy,
and went so far as to publish card in a
Richmond paper advocating the election
of General Lee. When Mr.. Martin was
elected United States Senator he severed
his connection with the Chesapeake Il
Ohio railroad company, and has had no
relations with that corporation since, ex-
cept to bring suits against it. SO much
for Dir. Martin as corporation lawyer.
Now let US enquire how Mr.. Montague
stands in this respect. For a number
of years he was attorney for the Southern
Railway COMPANY for the city of Dan
vile and the county of Pittsy lyania.
That was proper enough while he held
no public Office incompatible with that
position. But on July |, 1908, he en-
tered upon the discharge of his duties as
District Attorney of the United States
for the western district Of Virginia. Did
he follow Mr.. Martins example and re-
sign his attorneysbip of the railroad COM
pany? Not much On the contrary,
he continued his relations with the
Southern Railway after it had become
his duty as federal official to prosecute
road, for all criminal violations of the
Interstate Commerce and other federal
laws, drawing a salary of So, 600 and
mileage from the government and a
salary and free passes from the railroad
These facts were conspicuously printed
in the Danville Register, Mr.. Montague's
home paper, on February 10, 1905. lu
all this time they have not been
denied, and we do not believe that
they will be denied. This state Of
things went on for more than four
years, or until August II, 1897, when
Mr. Montague was nominated by the
democratic convention, at Roanoke, for
Acknowledgement of Virginia. The
load was too heavy to go before the peo-
pie with, and it was then-on the very
day of his nomination, we believe-that
Mr.. Montague did what he should have
done more than four years before.
Here is the deadly parallel OF the two
mems records! The facts are matters
of record that are easy of access, and
may be refuted if not accurately stated
here. We challenge REPUTATION of them.
On comparison of these records the
fair and impartial voters oil Virginia can
decide for themselves which candidate
has the more creditable record-the one
that resigned as a corporation attorney
when his public duties became incom-
Paiible with that position. or the one
that held on il defiance of such incom-
patibility.
Anyhow, let us have fair play
Petersburg Indcx-Appeal.
In Mad Chase.
Millions rush in mad obaoa altar health