Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-09-23
CONTRADIGTS ITSELF AGAIN.

Inc RICHMOND News Leader was
greatly stirred by Captain Kent's ex-
cellent and unanswerable speech made
at Woodstock. In one editorial the
News Leader undertook to DESTROY the
conclusions drawn by Captain Kent
from the figures he gave to show the
extravaganza of Democratic admins
trations in Virginia. But our contem-
porary after doing out a column and g
half of brilliant words but meaningless
deductions was so befuddled itself that
it befuddledits readers.
And again our contemporary on the
14th instant, writing about Captain
Kent's speech, said:
cit should be noted that at the be-
ginning Mr.. Kent expressly disclaims
the purpose to accuse the Democrats of
dishonesty. He says they have been
honest, but weak, extravagant and in
competent. When a man applies for
position, putting him in control of
large business, it is not enough for him
to prove that the management already
in power has faults. He must go fur
ther and show that he can and will cor
rect these faults. So far as we have
reason to believe Mr.. Kent never has
done anything to assure the people of
Virginia that he is a stronger, wiser
or more competent man or more skill
ed in public affairs than Governor Mon
tague, Governor Swansonor Judge
Mann "
Without taking issue with the News
Leader as to the dishonest management
of Virginia's affairs by the Democratic
Machine, we must deny its assertion
that Mr.. Kent is not worthier, strong
er, more honorable and more capable
man than Judge Mann. And in support
of our contention we will offer no fur
Their evidence than part of an editorial
which appeared in the News Leader on
the 26th of July, 1909, which is as fol-
lows:
Judge Msnn's record is that of a
local politician. So far as we know he
never has taken any part in any move
ment for the advancement and upbuild-
ing of Virginia. His mind and his
thought and his purposes seem to have
rotated in the little circle of his own
political interests. Today he is strong,
able-bodied man, indicating, in a recent
speech, his desire and ability to thrash
Mr.. Tucker in physical combat. Yet,
forty-seven years ago he left the ranks
of the fighting men of the Confederate
Army to take a soft and easy job as
clerk of the court for Nottoway. Then
he became judge of the county court
and to hold that job he was very sweet
and affectionate to General Malone.
then IN alliance with the Republicans
and certainly in opposition to the regu-
lar Democratic organization. Later, he
became State Senator, accepting an
election the honesty of which could not
be verified because the poll books dis
| oPPSoASN hAJoeSAhOuoiJ ~ llBHI1 anu
while State Senator he was counsel for
the Norfolk and Western Railroad-the
same kind of dual relation and divided
interest which brought about the over
throw of Foraker, of Ohio, because
while United States Senator he was
counsel for the Standard Oil Company.
Now he is the recognized candidate and
representative of the regular Demo-
cratic organization, the machine. 4"
Let business men ask themselves what
indication Judge Mann ever has given
of any sympathy with or allegiance to
the business interests or the material
advancement Of Virginia or any of its
communities.