The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-19
first Speech Of IF T, the ; Con-
uressman Made In
Richmond.
BITING REFERENCES
TO CRANDA MACKEY
Declares the People Of Virginia
Will Not Approve Slanderous
Campaign Methods Defends
His Record Before Fine
Audience Discusses Il
His Platform.

~ Congressman Claude A. Swanson made
the first and only speech Of his gu5er-
material campaign In Richmond last night
before fine audience In the Academy OF
Music 4 s,f /; # l.s
Every seat In the orchestra and dress
circle was taken. and there were about
100 prominent Democrats on the stage.
The boxes were occupied by prominent
men and women, and the meeting was q
complete success In every respect.
Former Senator II enry =. Atkinson pre-
sided, and Hon. Henry r. Pollard intro
duccd Mr. Swanson. The striking fca-
turcs OF the evening we're Mr. S"ansons 8
whitening denuncation OF the alleged
anonymous and slanderous attacks mace
upon his official and political record, and
Mia biting references to Mr.. Crandall
Mackey, OF Alexandria, who recently a6-
sailed him In conn ection with some postal
matters. .3 s
Mr.. Swanson evidently had the sympa-
thy OF his audience, and as ne PROCEEDED
to defend himself against attacks made
upon him and to discus his pubic recoru
there were frequent outbursts OF Applause.
&sa Barring his references TO the Mackey
ma tier and anonymous attacks upon nm
e. others. his speech WAS along the lines
NJ those heretofore delivered In. his cam
naign. but he was in fine trim and SPOKE
with more than his accustomea sigor.s
Mr. Swanson unwittingly aroused q Mon Mon
81 a,,e demonstration 4 during the course OF
his spcech, which showed that q great
many OF the Governors frlends were
present. In defending his record for 10y
plty in the last campaign. the speaker
said with tho possible exception OF ms
successful competitor Governor .a1nnlh- li
xue) he had made more speechcs .,.t, W. !,
nnv onc In tho campaig ign. Vhen he called
~ w. ~ nm ~ S"Monta que = there was an
n,,thiirst which fairly drowned tho re re- 4
mainder OF the sentence.
Called to Order.
=, was about $50 O'Clock when former
senator Henry A. Atkinson called the
- oeiinp to order and presented Hon.
uenrv r. Pollard, who In turn introdnccd
Mr. swanson If, speech OF about twenty
Mr., Atkinson predicted that Mr. swan
son would be next Governor OF virginia,
and This prediction was loudly cheered,
rs was Mr., Pollard's reference 10 MN as
rthc noblest Roman of them al.
Mr.. Pollard's speech was IN part az
~ follows: I,
"For the last several months, while,
>be life II the candidate has been siren
nous he has been rewarded with gener-
oils and apprcciatlve audiences. IN no
mail degree Indicative of deep interest
In the orderly administration OF the af-s
fairs OF the government, and, at the same
time, giving an unmistakablc assurance
that none need apply for political prefer
mont, whose record is not clean. and
whose private life is not pure"
A Tine Reception.
Mr.. swanson was given a most fat
tcrIng ovation when he came forward.
and 1t was some moments before nc
could proceed so dea fleming was The up
plausc. He opened by thanking Mr.. Pol
lard for his kindly production and his
audience for their, presence, and then
nc paid beautiful tribute to Richmond
amid great cheering. Following this up
with tributes to the Richmond Demo-
rracy and to the ladies present. the
sneaker plunged Into n most vigorous dis
cussIon OF the various planks IN his plat
form. and ms he proceeded there were
frequent outhursts of applause
he declared that he realized that he
was aspiring to the greatest honor IN me
gift OF the people, and that he had cher
ished tho ambition from his early boy
hood days a "
'The goycrnorshlp is not only high
honor" ho said. "but 1t Is fraught with,
great responsibilities and cast powers
~ propose to conduct this campaign
without bitterness. I have nothing TO
say against the honorable gentlemen
who are competing with mo for this
honor, I.
~ do not desire tho Office unless the
democrats OF this Commonwealth deem
ma worthy to bear the distinguished
honor and to Atly discharge Its duties and
responsibilities
"i am a Democrat. not because you
honor nc, Whether you crown me Klng
or not, ! Will be found where was FOUND
four years ago, travelling up and down
this state. speaking for my success'ul
opponent. IGreat applause.)
Have Decided It,
"But Ii there is one thing the people
Of this State have determined pos'tlvelS
bearer OF this Democracy for Governor ~
November. know there have been anon
ymous communica tlons paid for ~ the
nress OF this State and published with
the view OF injuring me. by undertaKlhs
to impugn my party loyalty OF four years
ago, and would not do myself Justice did
not stand here and denounce this SIAN
uerous method OF campaigning,
In proceeding vigorously TO defend HIM
self against these charges. Mr.. Swanson
started a Montague demonstration, which
lasted for several moments u want to
say he went on, "that no man In Ylr-
ginit, with the possible exception Of my
successful competitor Governor Monta-
gue), made more speeches In that cam
pnign than did,
Evidently there We're great many
Montague men In the audlence for When
the Governors name was called there was
a. most fIatterng demonsra tlon, which
almost drowned the remainder OF 3ss: the
sentence, and which was kept up for rsseYy
eral moments, When the sentenne was
finally rounded out the entire audience
hined in applauding Mr.. swanson, sl,8
"Take my appointments ana tle nuns