Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-10-08


the presence of representative
and approving audience at Surry Court
house, Va. made what may prop
erly be said to be 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 assaulted, he decided
to make answer to the charges brought
by the Republican candidate for Cover
nor. and in the opinion of those who
heard his speech he reversed the tables,
and the next move is the enemy's.
Governor Swanson commenced by
urging the vast Importance of the
pending election, involving as it does
the control of the State affairs for the
next four years He said:
"Upon the results of this election we
would determine whether Republican or
Democrat shall control the legislation,
schools. colleges, executive Offices,
ties of State government. It is more
important to the people of this State to
control their local affairs than the nation
al affairs. In presenting the cause of
Democracy and its candidates, ] accept
the issue as made by the Republican
party, in its platform and by it's candi-
dates. The Republican party argues
as the main ground for n change of
State affairs the fact that the Demo-
cratic party has been in control of this
State for twenty-five years, and insist.
on account of the record made in that
time. especially in recent years, that
control of this State should be given to
the Republican party. In reply to this
contention of the Republican party, /
will present the record and see whether
it is worthy of approval or condem-
nation.
1.-The first test of worthiness, whether
in an individual or party, is honesty and
integrity. No individual, no party, no
government that is devoid Of these is
worthy of trust or should ever be vested
with power and responsibility. A great
orator has well said: Honesty is the
oak around which all other virtues cling,
without that they fall and grovelling Gle
in weeds and dust Let Us measure the
record of the Democratic party in this
State by the final test and see whether
it is worthy of the commendation of the
people. During all these years of power
there has been but one small defalcation,
and that was occasioned by the forgeries
Of clerk in the Auditors office, who,
when detected, was Immediately ar
rested and sent to the penitentiary. No
effort was made to shield him or to
cover up the fraud"
Record without a superior
During these twenty-five years the
Democratic party has collected and dis
tributed about ninety million dollars of
public money, and this is the only defal-
cation that the severest enemy of the
party can point to.
1.-The government of no city or State
in the Union can point to a record
superior to this one, so free from graft
and corruption. No business enterprise,
however vigorously or honestly admin
istered, can present a record superior
to this. When one considers the length
of time and the vast sums of money
collected 1t Is amazing. With clean
hands the Democratic party faces its
enemies and with confidence appeals 10
the people.
"What a contrast do these long years
, of purity in administration present to
the few years of Republican rule in this
State. During these few years we saw
the Republican officials shamelessly
abusing their power and using their
Offices for self-enrichment. We saw
contracts, legally entered into. cancelled
and awarded to others at greater ex-
pense to the State. in order to pay for
political campaign funds. We saw the
State lose great sums of money by
deposits made in insolyent hanks,
which were extending pecuniary benefits
to those in power. We saw all the
public institutions of the State run for
the political advancement of those in
control. We witnessed the attempt at
infamous Legislation which was only
defeated by the rebellion of four State
Senator's. which. if enacted, woald have
created in this State immune rable offices,
not to be elected by the people. but con-
trolled by those in power, and which
would have practically put the entire
transportation and business interests
under the will and caprices of political
partisans and plunderers. We saw an
effort made, which was only defeated
in similar. manner, to vacate the cir
cult judges of this State and put the
entire judiciary under partisan control.
We witnessed Offices held and admin
istered by inefficient and impertinent
negroes. We were even cursed by negro
school officials. We saw the finances
Of the State demoralized and disorgan-
ized for political purposes.
"Sirs, these three years of Re-
publican control present carnival OF
corruption and graft which has madt
the party so Objectionable as to prevent
its return to power in this State nnti
the recollections of this frightful night
mare are forgotten.
Republican kule in the South
! Governor Swanson then said that the
conditions occasioned by Republican rul,
in this State were but similar to those