Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-11-04

Speeches by Senator Martin and
Messrs. j. II. Cation and
Chas. Bendheim.

gathered at the Opera House last night
in response to a call of the democrats OF
this city for mass meeting. The hall
had been beautifully and tsstefully dec
grated and a fine band of music was in
attendance. The audience was composed
in the main of representative Alexan-
drians, including a few prominent re-
publicans.
About eight o'clock the meeting was
called to order. The following gentle
men were on the stage: Senator Thos.
S. Martin, Mr.. James R. Cation, candi-
date for the House of Delegates; State
Senator Lewis II. Machen, Mayor Fred.
J. Paff, Messrs. r. E. L. Yellott, and
W. T. Bullock, president and vice pres
ident, respectively, of the Virginia dem
ocratic association of Washington; for
mer Mayor George L. Simpson. Hubert
Snowden, president of the Common
Council: Councilman j. Y. Williams,
Corporation Attorney G. L. Boothe, DR..
William NJ. Smith, w. B. Smoot, G. G.
Carlin, E. E. Lawler, W. H. May, J.
T Sweeney, president of the Board Of
Alderman, and w. A. Smoot. jr.
Mr.. Charles Bendbeim, chairman of
the city democratic committee, presided,
and alter he had called the meeting to
order he made few timely remarks
which were roundly applauded. He said
four years had elapsed since the demo-
cratic party had bad any opposition, and
be referred to the fact that the party had
ever had good and efficient men at the
helm who bad steered the old ship safely
and sati factorily to the people of the
Commonwealth. He depicted in vivid
manner the woes incidental to past re-
publican rule, and called upon all mem
bers of the democratic party to rally to
the standard at the approaching election.
Mr.. Bendheim referred to the recent
party conflict in this city, and suggested
that that family contest had left all
members of the party as staunch dem
ocrats as ever. He closed by introduce
ing Mr.. James r Cation, who has re-
ceiyed the democratic nomination for the
House of Delegates from Alexandria city
and county three consecutive times.
Mr.. Cation advanced amidst applause.
When it had subsidized be began his speech
by saying he always regarded it as an
honor to appear before an audience of
Alexandria democrats, but his pleasure
was otill further enhanced to appear as
the democratic nominee to the Legisla-
ture. He said be desired to express his
appreciation of the action of bis fellow
citizens who had on three separate oc-
casions selected him fer this high honor.
Mr.. Cation, said he knew the audience
had not assembled for the express pur-
pose OF hearing him, but to listen to the
speech of one more distinguished in the
party and milton. one who appeared in
public hall in Alexandria for the first
time, but whose work 10 the Senate of
the United States was well-known. APP
plause. Mr. Cation said he was glad to
have him present, as were all in the au-
dience. The speaker referred to the late
primary election 10 Alexandria, which he
denominated family disturbance. But
all this had blown over, and united
democracy was 10 evidence facing COM
mon enemy and centered heart and soul
u0on the nominees of the party. He
said it was not his intention to make an
extended speech, but desired to say
something in reference to his course in
the Legislature. He hoped he had no
apologies to make, as be had always en-
deavOred to act in the interest of the peo-
pie ofAlexandria city and county whom
he represented. He bad ever had their
interests at heart and would continue to
put forth every exertion for their well
fare. Mr.. Cation said, among other
things, he would aid State senator Ma
chen in his endeavors to bring about
legislation which would result in con-
tinuing street improvements in Alexan-
dria, as we'll as further the interests of
educstion 10 the State. He subsequent
ly took up the issues which the repub-
lcans we're endeavOring to foist upon the
people of the Old Dominion. The adj
versaries of the democratic party we're
endeavoring to make people believe that
there was such thing as new republic
can party. There might, he said, be a
change in the personnel, but not in the
organization. There was no change in
its principles nor policies. 1t was the
same old enemy of the democratic party
aud as inimical to the welfare of Vir-
GINA as ever. They had precipitated no
national issues; it was merely an attempt
to secure local set-government. The !
best answer to their pretenses and prom
ises was a reference to their past history, !
the time when they did hold the teins Of
government in Virginia. Mr.. Cation
then gave a rapid and interesting synop-
sis of the regime of twenty.odd years
800. He also went back to the close of
he civil war when the propsgator of the
Underwood constitution attempted to
virtually disfrsnchise every white man
10 Virginia and enfranchise former
slaves who were to assist carpet baggers
md certain Virginisns who consorted
With them to rule the Old Dominion, and
,aid that injustice would doubtless have
,een inflicted upon the State had it not
been for President U. S. Grant, who
ordered that the people of Virginia be
allowed to vote upon that instrument.
The people of Virginia in voting on the
constitution adopted the public school
feature and their subsequent establish.
nent and prosperity is due to the demo-
ratio party. Mr.. Cation subsequently
ook the planks of the present republic
AN platform and smashed them one by