Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-09-29
Geo. Swanson Cites Record
of Democratic Regime
What it Has Meant to the
State.
STORY ONE OF
GREAT PROGRESS
Finance, Health and Gener-
al Prosperity is Ably
Reviewed.

Surry Courthouse. Va, September
Ex-Governor Swanson yesterday
In the presence of representative
and approving audience, made what
may properly be said to be In the
most exhaustive and pertinent
speech for the Democratic party
that has been delivered during the
campaign. His own administration,
as well as the party record for many
years. having been assailed. he de-
cidod TO make answer to the charges
brought by the Republican candI-
date for Governor, and In the op;l-
Ion OF those who heard his speech
he reversed the tables, and the next
move is the enemy's.
Governor Swanson urged the vast
Importance of the pending election,
involving as Il does the control OF
the State AFFAIRS for the next four
years. He said: upon the result
OF this election we would determine
whether the Republican or Demo-
cratic party shall control the legfs-
lation. schools colleges. executive
offices. asylumns, and the various
| in trumentalities OF State govern
ment 1t in more important to the
people OF tn 8 State to control their
local affairs than the national Affairs.
In presenting the cause of Democra-
| cy and It's candidates accept the
issue as made by the Republican
party. in It's platform and by Its can
! didates. The Republican party ar
gues as the main ground for
change OF State affairs the fact that
the Democratic party has been in
control Of this State for twenty-five
years, and ms s'st On account OF the
record made in that time, especially
In recent years, that control OF this
State should be given TO the Re
publican party. In reply 10 this con
tent.on OF the Republican party, /
will present the record and see
whether 1t is worthy OF approval
or condemnation"
He said "The first test or worth.
mess, whether in an individual or
party. is honesty and integrity. No
individual, no party, no government
that 8 devoid OF these Is worthy OF
trust or BGorlI ever pc vested with
power and responstj lity 4 great
orator has we'll said: Honesty is the
oak around which all other virtues
cfng, without that tdey fall, aud
froyelling, die IN weeds and dust
Let US measure the record Of the
Democratic party I'm this state by
thus final test and see whether IT. -
worthy Of the commendatio1 Of the
people. During all these years or
power there has been but one small
dcfalcatiOn, and that was occasloned
by the forRerles OF n clerk in the Au-
ditOr's Office by the name OF Shep-
nerd who, when detected. was i'm
medately arrested and sent TO the
Denitmtiary. No effort was made
to shield him or TO cover up the
fraud
During these twenty-five years
:5a Democratic party has collcc.ed
and distributed about ninety million
dollars OF public money, and this is
the only defalcation that the sever
est enemy Of the party can point to
The government OF no city or state
m this Union can point 20 a record
er2erior TO this one, 80 free FROM
graft and corruption. 30 business
enterprise, however vigorously or
honestly Administered can present
record superior TO this. Wns1
ono considers the lcnr'h OF time ard
the vast sums OF money collected 70
- amazing with clean hands the
Democratic party faces It's enemies,
and with confidence appeals to the
people