Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN
ACTIVITY OF THE CANDIDATES
THE PAST WEEK.
Gov. Montague Losing No Time to
Catch Up With Senator Mar
tin-Other Gossip.

this week Gov. Montague taking the stump
and making three speeches-one at Bedford
City. one at Lynchburg. and the last here
last evening. The governor has about re-
covered from his recent illness, and is
losing no time in the effort to overhaul
Senator Martin, who kept going night and
day while the governor was In the care or
physicians and was confined to his home.
The governor, in explanation of his former
criticism of the vote Of Senator Martin on
the famous Call resolution to investigate
the method of electing senators, said that
his information was largely obtained from
a bureau in Washington, and that he be-
lieved the information correct. accepting
the correction of the senator "as an honest
difference of opinion"
The governor, in discussing one of the
letters to voters written by the senator.
giving one reason for his reelection the
fact that it would be unwise to dsplace an
experienced man for an inexperienced man.
refers to the defeat of Gen. Hunton, who
had been appointed a senator by the gov
ernor to succeed Senator Barbour, saying
that Senator Martin was unknown to the
people of the state and lacked tire expert
ence at that time which he now says is
valuable. The governor has never held a
position in a legislative capacity, but has
been district attorney for the western dis
trict of the state, attorney general and is
now governor.
The governor will be much on the stump
the coming week, and he will be heard at
many places in the state. Wherever he
goes he Is given a cordial reception, the
people admiring the governor. The same
is true of the senator. the people turning
out in large numbers to hear him discuss
the issues Al Martinsville, in Henry coun-
ty, a small place. the crowd which heard
the senator was said to have been the
largest which the town ever saw at
political meeting, and at night especially.
Trend of Public Opinion.
AS is the case in all political campaigns,
the trend of public opinion is largely in
fuenCed by the personal preference of the
men who talk for publication. One man
will say that one candidate Will carry his
section. and the day following another man,
from the same county, will say that the
other candidate will win in a walk. The
trend of opinion gathered. however. and
mostly from men who are versed in politi
cal affairs, is that Senator Martin has, at
this time. the better chance to obtain the
nominal ton.
This claim is made by men who are and
have been for years identified with politics,
and is not taken as an indication that the
governor is without friends and supporters,
but the preponderance of opinion from the
best-informed politicians is that the senator
has the nomination practically assured His
speeches are straightforward, frank appeals
to the people for their support the senator
often saying on the stump that he does mot
wish the nomination by reason of any in
trinity which may be charged against my
distinguished opponent, but for the record
and service | have made, for which l refer
to the record. If my services do not in
your opinion, entitle me to the honor then
vote for the other man" The speech is
taking well and is being literally applauded
The Attorney Generalship.
Judge Samuel W Williams of wythe,
who has been frequently mentioned as a
candidate for the office of attorney general
has been in the city for a day or two and
has been mingling with his friends In
conversation with the CORES pendent of
The Star the judge said that he could
not understand why the impression had
gotten abroad that he was not to be
candidate. He made a speech at Halifax
court, and he says he was given a cor
dlal reception. Within a few days he will
issue an address to the voters of the state
outlining his platform, and among other
things lie is to take decided and strong
position on the subject of books for the
public schools. He favors the single list
and the increase of pay for teachers to-
gether with a longer school term in the
rural sections.
The governorship contest is being waged
with fury by all the candidates. Mr. Swan
son has made a number of speeches. his
last being at Farmvflle a night or two ago
Col Willard spoke in Cumberland county
today, having returned from a trip to the
southwest. Col. Willard is making an en-
phatic denial OF the charge that he favors
printing the school books of the state with
In the walls of the penitentiary declaring
that his one idea on the subject of work
Ing the convtcts is for the good of the
lie roads.
Judge Mann is still making a swing
around the state, and he is getting a most
iattering reception wherever he appears.
At daI h,-,
walks in life and by the women folks the
latter being almost a unit for him.
The time has not yet been fixed for a
meeting of the state committee which Is 10
fix the date for the state primary and to
arrange the details of cost to be paid bv
candidates. The decrease in the number of
candidates will increase the cost to the in
dlViduais, and where it was believed that
the assessment would be not less than one
thousand each for the legitimate expenses
of the contest, it is said that the
figure Will approximate 81 800.
Notes.
The horse show building located at Res
ervoir Park, is to be converted into an
amusement pavilion. Already work has
been begun to transform the place into a
huge roller-skating rink which is to be re-
tanned till the time for the next horse show.
which takes place during the month of
October.
Several months ago Jack Prince, bicycle
promoter, came here and built a track for
bicycle races. Several riders of national
repute came here, and a weeks races were
pulled Off. but the venture failed TO nav
and Prince disappeared. Some of the riders
had to arrange series of contests in order
TO get money to reach their homes and in
one or two instances wheels were sold in
order to realize the equivalent of transpor-
tation.
The work of the state board of education
here this week has been the center of at
traction for politicians and others who
feast on what is going on in the way of
things with political flavor. The board
has completed-with the exception of one
case, Newport News-the list of superin-
tendents. and in doing SO reconsidered it's
action In the matter of consolidating dis
tricts and restored the old lines in all cases
save one.
The return of Morgan Treat to the United
states marshalship for this district was re-
ceived with considerable surprise In this
section. Mr.. Treat made a good officer
gave satisfaction and was popular with
the democrats. The outs faction of the
republican organization here seemed dazed
at the news. his removal being source
of congratulation and pleasure to them as