Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-04-14

was acquired In Richmond at a cost of
xSVO,OOO with q view TO the erection
4 thereon as an Improvement 10 the public
building at Richmond, a new building
adequate TO the needs of that city. At
one OF the largest public meetings of
business men ever held In Richmond. on
February "a, 1908, the following resolu-
ton was adopted:
| RICHMOND VOTED hin THANKS.
THAT the thanks OF the city OF Rich
mond are due TO Senator Thomas 8.
Martin Tor his wise. energetic and un-
firing Efforts TO secure legislation by
Congress for the acquisition OF the Shafer
property at It's valuation In the recent
court proceedings. That his manage
ment OF the matter is deserving of the
highest praise. and that he may rest as.
sured that his labors are most highly ap-
preciated by the representatives of the
principal business Interests of the com.
munity."
Through Senator Martins eff ,rts the
sum OF $2S 600 was appropriated to COM
cupscy OF Its buildings and injury to It's
property by the Federal troops after the
capture OF Richmond
| On two occasions Senator Martin has
secured appropriations for the protection
OF jamestown Island, which was gradu.
ally being destroyed by the river. This
historic spot is now completely protected
Through his efforts q twenty eight.
loot channel was secured at Norfolk, Va !,
AZ cost OF $36O,OO0. AT the session of
| Congress just adjourned he succeeds,i in
having law enacted providing for a
survey and estimate of cost, with view
To widening and STRENGTHENING that chan
mel and giving a depth OF thirty feet al
mean tide, which will give a depth at
thtrty-three feet at high tide, and will
answer the needs of shipping at that
port for many years.
To his efforts the mechanics Ia the
navy yards OF the country are largely in
debted, certainly so far as action In the
Senate was concerned, for the law which
gives them annual leaves Of absence with
pay for fifteen days In each year. put
ting them TO some extent on an equality
with clerks in the departments at Wash
ington.
LAND FOR THE NAVY YARD
The navy yard at Norfolk has been an
object OF especial care Besides watch.
ful attention to the appropriations for
that navy yard, from year to year, he has,
with view to having the yard developed
| into the first establishment of the sort in
the United States, secured legislation on
TWO occasions condemning land for the
use Of the yard, these acquisitions of
land costing in the neighborhood of
$750, 600
He has been. largely instrumental in
securing appropriations for the rivers
and hsroors. including Pagan river. the
removal of Hospital Point at Norfolk,
and the removal of Middle Ground Bar
at Newport News
He has secured a number of sppropria-
tions for public buildings, including .
100000 building ut Charlottesville.
de has given q great deal OF time and
has Done very effective work in behalf OF
churches, schools, and benevolent co.
cieties, having claims against the Federal
government for occupation and injury
OF property during the Civil War In
April, 1904, by resolution of the Senate,
he succeeded In having sent to the Court
OF Claims for investigation forty-two OF
these claims for churches. schools and
benevolent societies. At the session of
Congress just adjourned he succeeded in
having referred to the same court more
tnan forty like claims, being all OF the
Claims OF that character at that time
brought TO the attention of the Senate
from the State of Virginia or the claims
referred to the Court of Claims in 1904.
tea were fsvorably reported from the
court to the Senate during the last session
OF Congress. and were provided for by
appropriations.
SETTLEMENTS WITH VIRGINIA REoPENED.
Perhaps the most important legislation
accomplished for the people of the State
or virginia since the Civil War is that
which reopened the settlement made
between Virginia and the United States
government Ia the year 1926, in connec-
ton with the advances made by Virginia
to The Federal government in the war of
lSl2'14 In this settlement made In 1890.
Injustice was done TO the State by the
method OF computing interest, and ap-
plying payments which had been made
from time to time by the Federal govern
ment. Efforts had been made from time
to time to secure the passage OF a biz re-
quiring the settlement TO be reopeaed.
and the account to be restated, In order
that Justice might be done to the s.ate.
During many sessions OF Congress Hena.
tor Daniel was the patron of measures
having that object in view He gave the
matter very careful attention, and formu-
lated bill under which the errors COM
planned OF might be corrected On more
than one occasion Senator Daniel secured
the passage OF this bill through the
Senate, but Ii never passed the House.
During the session of Congress which
Il
first, because of his necessary attendance
on the Constitutional Convention, and
afterward by reason OF serious illness. |
Senator Martin took up this matter The
time was more opportune, and the favor |
aole opportunity was ayailed OF, and |
successful result was accomplished |
Through Senator Martins efforts the |
necessary bill was passed uader which |
the account was restated, and the sum of |
$l.7OO.0OO was saved to the State of |
Virginia.
coukTEsIEs TO VISITING DELEGATIONS. |
In the departments, aud before the |
committees OF Congress, matters con-
SANITY arise or great importance to In. |
dividuals and to communities. Delegs-
lions visit Washington during the sea |
sions OF Congress almost daily about |
matters OF this sort. There Is never al
Time when individuals having importan, /
interests involved In one way or another,
at Washington are not soliciting the as
distance, and finding il necessary to have
the attention, of Senators and members
of Congress. 1t may be safely stated
that no delegation of citisens represent
Ing any community, nor any individual,
VINO FOUND IL necessary to have the aid |
OF senator has ever been 10 Wash inQton
without receiving at the hands of Sena.
tor Martin prompt and courteous treat
ment, and active and useful assistance.
representatives OF the tobacco interests,
both agricultural and misunderstanding,
will all bear testimony to the helpful eff.
orts made 10 their behalf on many &C.
casiors
In 1899, when Senator Martin was
candidate for reelection TO the Senate,
some inquiry was made rs TO what he
had done. Major Norman v. Randolph,
who ar that time was at the head of n
large paper box factory la Richmond
and who had, when Senator Martin was
firsf elected been one of his strongest op-
ponents. addressed letter to the editor
OF the Richmond Times, which was
written without Senator Martins knovL
edge. In that letter Mr.. Randolph ex
planned that Senator Martin had secured
An amendment to the tariff bill then bet
recently enacted, which was Of inmepse
benefit 20 $4,000. 900 Of capital engaged
IN the paper box industry, and 100 COO