Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-04-07
bon. ". HODGES MANN'S VIEWS

bon. ". HODGES MANN'S VIEWS
ON ISSUE In PENDING CONTEST
For the GubernatOrial NomI-
nation In the Approaching
Democratic Primary Ad-
heres to Position Taken in
the Announcement Made
Last April-Declares He is
Not Prohibition Candidate
and Has Not Injected Liquor
Question into the Campaign.
An Index-Appeal reporter saw Judge
William Hodges Mann, and asked him if
he would make statement for publca-
.tion ofhis views on the political situation.
The Judge replied that he would be glad
to answer any questions, as he thought
the people had right to know where the
candidatesforp public Office stood on every
important issue In answer TO the ques-
tions propounded he gave the following
replies:
Judge, what do you consider to be the
most important issues before the people
OF the State today?"
Education, good roads, business meth
ods and the liquor question. These are
the great public questions before our
people"
"Will you give any specific statements
on these subjects which will Indicate to
the voters whatposition they may expect
you to take, should you be elected Gov
ernor?"
"On the 10th of April, 1904, nearly
twelve months ago, long before any other
candidate had stated his position, made
n formal announcement of my candidacy,
which was published by n number of the
most influential papers, in which stated
my views on these very subjects. 1t seems
that the press of the State at large is ex-
pecting me TO make some additional an
nouncement, but the statement that |
made then gives my position as clearly as
could give it in brief FORM"
At this point Judge Mann handed to
the reporter his formal announcement
made on the 10th of April, 1904. As this
announcement appears not to have been
seen by the general public, and as it is a
very clear and concise statement of his
views, it is here given in full:
TO THE DEMOCRATS OF VIRGINIA:
20. "A L..
possibility which attach 10 the Office of Gov
ernor of this Commonwealth. I announce my
self a candidate for the Democratic nomina-
tion under such rules as the party may adopt.
and beg 10 submit for your consideration INV
views on some of the important questions to
oe considered and passed upon at the mex,
State election.
j. The State should take more proyressi,,e
action towards the building up and support OF
the primary schools, which should continue nj
least eight months in the year, and should es-
taoiish high schools in the counties. and ad.
ditionai high schools in the cities, whenever
conditions require this action. Upon the cd
ucation of the children the welfare OF tho
commonwealth in large degree depends.
taVor as liberal appropriations TO this end n,
the resources of the State will permit. and be
lieve that the additional appropriation should
DC expended at the discretion of the co<lnty
and city trustees
=. The time has come In the history of thi,
State when good public roads have become 4
necessity. The people are tired of mere an
nouncements favoring good roads and de
mand settled and definite policy which will
give them highways. Impressed with the inn
portance of this subject, favor general law
Tor the opening, changing aad closing of pub
lie roads, and special laws for the working o.
the same adapted to the various sections. ant
winch VIII recognize and meet the condition.
existing in the several localities. Relianc.
must be placed upon the convicts in the peni
tentiary, to be supplied to the county author
tiles under such regulations as will not h,
ourdensome to the counties or expensive {.
| the State. As soon as its finances win permit
without increase of taxation land think thi
condition will exist after 1906, the Stat
should adopt the policy of supplemental,
| county appropriations for the permanent bet
terment OF public roads; and nothing but tn
| educafion OF our children should be permitte,
To stand In the way OF good roads, which will
lessen the labor of our farmers increase tn
| Naiue Oh their products, and add TO the enjoy
ment and value OF their property.
.. think the utmost care should be exer
cised in the administration of the fiscal n fYsir
OF the Commonwealth, so that every dolla
taken from the taxpayer shall be accounte
for and applied to the legitimate purposes O
| government, TO the end that the burdens n
taxation shall be as light as possible.
4. have taken my position on the liouo
question because of what / believe to be tn
best interests of the people of the Common
| wealth. have been and am now in favor n
the passage and enforcement of laws whic
Will so regulate the liquor traffic as to bes
conserve the moral and material interests @
the people; but / believe that these law
should only be passed when demanded by
strong public sentiment which will secur
their enforcement. The Democratic part
has by legislative enactment declared such I
be its policy, and the people at the polls hav
approved its action. AS the party of intell
gence and conservatism In this State, il ca
and should decide what the interests of tn
people in this and all other respects demans
Pledging my continued exertions and what
ever energy and capacity may possess 70
the best interests of the people OF my Stat
and the Democratic party, whether elected q
not ask your sutfrages for this high Office.
| Very respectfully,
| WM. HODGES MANN.
| Nottaway, Va, April 10, 1904
After reading his announcement the RI
porter continues:
al notice Judge, that in your announc,
iment you take up first the subject of edu