Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-08-04
REBUTS JONES STATEMENT.

~ VVNnb VI nj LIN DN /
Editor Alexandria Gazette:
Having heard the reaarke of Gov
Montague made in n speech deliyere,
In the Opera House several weeks 40,
and which was substantially repeated
by Congressman Jones in "a recent
published interview, we were supris
Ell at the lack of knowledge displayed
oy these gentlemen regarding thu.
legislation. In reply 10 the chsrg,
That Senator Martin had nothing tC
do with the passage of the bill grant.
ing extra compensation for over-time
made during the Spanish-A american
war by navy yard employ, es,as mem.
oers OF the committee from IN,
Washington navy yard in charge OF
that bill before Congress We Ihinh
we are qualified to give true anu
impartial statement of the inHuepc,
tnat secured It's passage. The wrt-
ters, accompanied by the late Leon.
ard Marbury called upon Senator
Martin who promised TO do all In nIs
power to pass the measure through
the SeLate. He was very successful 10
securing hearing before the naval
committee for our delegation, and
after we had presented our argu-
ments, a favorable note was taken
and Senator Martin authorized to
write the report to the Senate which
he dId. Shortly after that the meas.
ure passed the Senate aud thousands
OF dollars were paid to mechanics of
the country, Virginia securing large
share. AT least $4,000 was paid to
our own citizens employed in the
Washington navy yard. In regard
to the bill granting fifteen days an
nual leave to the employees of the
navy yards, naval stations and arse
pals, this bill passed the House
through the efforts of Messrs. Day.
ton, Mudd, Rlxey, Swanson aud oth-
ers. In the Senate this measure was
supported by number of Senators,
but none of them excelled the Hon.
Thos. 5. Martin IN zeal for this bill.
tie was at all times ready with ad-
vice and encouragement 10 the com.
mlttee having this bill in charge.
and the fact that this meritorious
bill became law, was largely
through his efforts As for the
amendments the Governor said were
tackled on the bill, we desire to saw
that the bill was not changed in auy
respect in the Senate.
The joint legislative committee
having In charge these bills, men Sc
lected by the various bodies they rep
resented and being in daily attend
ance at the Capitol, are certainly
best qualified to say who aided their
efforts. The testimonials from the
machlnists, pattern makers aud
moulders associations bear witness TO
the feeling of gratitude they feel to.
ward Senator Martin. Oar own Cit
lzens employed in the Washington
navy yard are very fortunate, that
upon the naval committees of both
House and Senate, they have such
sterling friends as Senator Mar
tin and representative Rixey have
proven to be. AS the under
signed were members of the commit
tee charged with the responsibility
of looking after the legislation before
Congress, having devoted our time
there and being familiar with its ey-
cry detail we feel it our duty in the
interest of fair play to give the facts
through the columns of your paper
to the public. We would be glad in
this connection if we could in keep
ing with the facts also give credit to
Congressman jones, bur as we did
not number him among our friends
at the time We needed help and as
we do not believe he made the slight
est effort to aid or assist us We can
not consistently do so, and we do not
propose to permit either him or Gov
Montague to detract from those who
did give us every assistance within
their power. Mr.. Jones made prac-
tically this same statement about
four years ago and we challenged it
IN published statement at the time
and furnished him with the facts in
connection with. the matter, and we
are at loss to understand his mo-
tive unless it be to advance the inter-
est of one candidate by willfully de-
tracing from the other.
w. ii. HUNTER,
EDWIN M. BIRRELL,
w. O'DoNNELL,
b. G. LADD,
X. HENRY LEWIS,
CHAs. Ii. SQUIER,
ALBERT j. BERRIES,
DVErfim and Inink II nniolo o. uo L.,