Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-31

Virginia campaigf, this year by republi-
can national leaders and administration
officials generally. There Is fine old
family row on in the Democratic party
and the republicans Of the old Domin-
ion feel there is an opportunity to secure
something like square deal in the cleo
ton.
Roth factions Of the democrats have
made such charges Of fraud in elections
and primaries that there ~ some hope
they will be decent for once. and permit
n fair poll this fall. Tho republicans
propose to put them to the test, at least,
and will demand representation at every
polling place. II the request Ia refused
there will he fastened upon the demo-
cratic faction in power the absolute
proof that they do not propose to allow
a fair election. and they will stand
convicted of the charge the opposing fac
ton Of their own party Is now making.
This week the democrats Of the State
will hold their primary election for cam
didatcs for the State ticket and also for
United States senator to succeed Sena-
tor Martin. There has been the liveliest
kind OF n fight on for the scnatorship and
the nomination for governor. Senator
Martin and Governor Montague have
been holding joint debates throughout
the state in their canvass for the sena-
torship, and from the attendance at the
meetings. the farmers OF Virginia evil
IDENTIFY regard harvest as secondary to
politics.
There have been large crowds at all
the meetings because the show has been
worth the money.
Senator Martin charges that Governor
Montague was never legally elected to
the office he holds. while Governor Mon
tague retorts by declaring that Martin
voted against a bill in the United States
Senate because it's passage would have
meant n loss OF $l0.0 to him. The gov.
crnor maintains that man who would
vote against a bill to save money for
himself would vote for bill to make
money for himself. and so the merry
war goes on. All these charges and
counter charges are grist for the repub-
lican mill. which will grind it out for the
delcctation Of the Virginia voters in the
general campaign
FIGHT FOR GOVERNOR.
There are two leading candidates for
the Eubernatorial nomination among the
democrats, Lieut.-Gov. Willard and Rep
resentativc Swanson. Their campaign is
not whit behind that of Martin and
Montague in ferocity and spicy criticism
Mr.. Swanson is kept busy explaining
his connection with the postoftce scan.
dial. and the favors ne received at the
hands of Machcn and Beavers when the
latter were conducting their scheme OF
graft with the assistance. perhaps I'M
conscious. Of members OF Congress-
Mr.. Willard is charged with being a
carpet Dagger in Virginia and with hav-
ing all his interests conferred in WASH
ington. where he owns millions of dollars
worth of property.
There can he nothing brought against
Mr.. Willard except his having so much
property outside the State He is a clean
man and in his present fight has the
sympathy of a host Of friends in this city
who know his business integrity. He is
the owner of the Willard Hotel. recently
rebuilt at cost OF moro than a million
dollars. He Is in the campaign up to his
neck and the things his friends and news
paper organs are saying about his oppo-
nent, Mr.. Swanson. will make excellent
campaign material for the republicans in
case Mr.. Swanson should win out in the
fight for the nomination.
ne NlTBliild itepuDnCanH are moro
nearly united than they ever were be-
fore. No faction has been recognized.
but the convention. recently held ut
Roanoke. was made M of more repre-
sentative citizens OF the State than ever
assembled in such party gathering.
1t was not dominated by office holders
and there was a marked absence of that
element in the party who are republicans
for what they can get out of the federal
government in tho way OF patronage
They have nominated United States Dis
trict Attorney Lewis for governor and
have outlined more perfect campaign
than the party ever before wagcd in the
State. President Roosevelt is watching
tho contest with deep Interest as the re-
publicans are appealing to the people Of
Virginia to vote for clean and honest
government which the democrats have
denied the state. according to their own
testimony brought out in the present
party campaign.
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