Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-04-28
SCORES THE GOVERNOR.

The evident purpose of Governor
Montague to stir up strife within tn,
party in the hope of furthering. biz
ambition has received severe rebuk,
from many fair papers, and hosts of
his former admirers and adherents
are deserving him because of his bit
ter, nnwarranted and unsupported
statements in respect to Senator
Martin. The Richmond newspaper
men that are following him around
see the destruction he is bringing
upon himself and the lasting breach
he is creating in the party, and they
are endeayUring to tone down his
mistakes and put semblance of
plausibility and moderation upon
his words and actions.
An uncalled for aeddling in the
Norfolk county muddle has greatly
injured the Governors prospects.
Very wisely Senator Martin refused
to participate ip the wrangle, but in
strong language condemned fusion
and other unfair political methods.
The Governor went to the meeting,
however, and stirred the animals up.
AS a sequel to bis meddling with
petty politics and family fights Nor
folk County Democrats met in mass
meeting in Portsmouth Saturday.
After pream bic declaring that Gov
ernor Montague stated in his speech
there that the people bad more reas-
on for riot and blood-shed than the
citizens of Danville had several years
ago. they adopted this resolution:
Resolved, that we deuounce such ut
terancss rs those of q dangerous dema-
gogue, for vixen the Governor OF Vir-
GINA, who is the head of the militia
upon whom the authc tiles must call in
case OF riot, can advise such lawlessness
he would, OF course, do nothing to sup
press it. and thus If these really be his
sentiments, be stamps himself sc an
anarchist and utterly unworthy the sup
port of Virginians. There can be no
place in the hearts Of yiiginians for
such sentiments as those expressed by
Governor Montague"
The following is taken from an Isl
sue of the Norfolk Dispatch previous
to the meeting:
1T is not becomingly graceful for the
Governor OF Virginia TO come 10 Nor
folk county and throw himself 10 the
breach OF the tyo political factions of
this county," commented Mr.. X. II. Bag
by, prominent meREber of the Norfolk
county bar.
"There are many Democrats In Norfolk
county who look upon the Governors
action with strong resentment. And
these Democrats are Ma honest and sin-l
cere In their opinion as any others In
the State of Virginia. Ii Governor
Montague Gays anything In his speech
that tends 10 Intensity the -unfor.una
political strife ia the county-and feel
compelled to believe be WILT will be
sad commentary upoo- his official po-
sition.
AT one time there was 8 chance for
the Democratic factions TO get together
on compromise, but hope of such a
thing is past consideration If the Gov
ernor OF our State is in6escreet enough
to say something that will open wider
the political wounds.
To-day there Is no Fusionisk 10 Nor
folk county. That day has passed. We
had Fusionism when = coalition of white
people, irrespective of party ties, was
formed To rid Norfolk county of the ne-i
gro Commonwealth Attorney. negro
magistrates and negro constables. To-
day the situation is one where the "outs''
want the offices the "inns" hold, and,
there is not negro oAice-holder in the
county.
"The stand taken by Senator Martin,
la not coming to Norfolk county ia a
movement aimed TO have a majority OF
The Democratic voters denounced and
portrayed as party outlaws is to be- com
mended"