The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-01
J. s. James,
The Diamond Merchant,
SEVENTH AND MAIN SITS.

the Sutherland medal for oratory and
the debaters' medal in the Washing
ton Literary Society.
While at this college he edited the
Hanover and Caroline News" the
! Democratic paper of these counties.
and thus at an early age actively aided
| the patty to which he has given q life
long loyalty and devotion.
| Law Practice Lucrative.
In 1886 he entered the University
/ OF Virginia and took the degree or
! bachelor of law, completing the two
/ year course In one session. Imme-
diately after graduating from the Uni
versity of Virginia and being admitted
/ to the bar, he located in Chatham,
where he had many friends and ad-
mirers. and began practicing his pro-
1 fession, So successful was he in his
practice that in two years he waa
! financially able to pay back all the
money loaned him to secure his edu-
/ cation and TO lay by a surplus.
/ His thorough knowledge OF the law,
! his earnest advocacy of his clients
| interest, his success as q pieader and
defender, his enthusiasm in Democra-
( cy's causes, principles and doctrines
and his popularity, brought him into
the political arena when quite young.
| and In 1896, less than six years after
he left the University of Virginia. he
was nominated for representative from
! the Fifth district. Although this dis
trict adjoins the Ninth, in which the
| Republicans have q stronghold. and
despite the fact that the opposition
from the rival party was keen. Swan
son won by a large majority after a
spectacular and brilliant campaign, in
which he displayed wonderful orator
/ Ea.,g sol a cFez
city and acumen. His first term WAS
a pronounced success. and although
opposed when he stood for reelection,
he was sent back TO the halls OF Con-
gress four times, on each occasion his
majority increasing.
Popular In Congress.
lie at once gained immense popu-
larity among the members OF con-
Rress because of his enterprise,
oratory and force. and was looked
tsttpn- as one of the most active and
progressive men IN the house. For
ten years he was a member or the
postoffice committee and for eight
years on the ways and means commit
tee. the Leading and most important
committee In the house Of represent
tatiyes
W9lile a member OF the postoffice
committee fNWAiLEtlA RAtCE NSAIo AiiAa
self especially In the establishment OF
a rural free delivery service. When
the bill providing for distribution OF
mail. In the country districts came up
for consideration one of the bitterest
fights with but one other member OF
the committee, stood out against
two weeks running debate by the
other mem hers of the committee as
well as the leaders on both the demo-
cratic and republican side, and won
great victory. 1t can truthfully be
said that II was due In large measure
to MIR Swanson's courageous night
that this battle In favor OF the farm
ers was won. and that the people not
only of the rural districts of Nir-
ginia but the entire country are to-
DAY enjoying the advantages OF the
r. +. u.
As member of the house of repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Swanson also took
very active interest and part in the
passage OF the bill for reciprocity
with Cuba and for free trade between
the United States and Porto Rico and
the Philippine Islands. He always
watched legislation affecting or likely
to affect Virginia and the South with
a careful eye, and put all his energy
behind those measures whose aim was
to benefit the State from which he
hailed.
Called Governor.
Success in congress and the urgings
Of his many friends prompted Mr..
Swanson 10 run for governor twice.
He was elected chief executive In
1905 over Judge Lewis. republican. by
the largest majority OF any governor
since the Civil war He conducted his
campaign on promises and pledges
to inaugurate in the State a most pro-
gressiye policy of educational and ma
terial development. These promises
he faithfully fulfilled and few States
showed greater progress than Virginia
during the time he was governor.
The public school sytem, extending
from the primary school to the college
and university. was greatly stimulated.
He vigorously recommended and ad-
vocated large appropriations for the
school system and under his admins
tration the high schools In the State
alone increased from seveIty-four to
about three hundred and fifty. and new
school houses TO the extent of about
two millions OF dollars were erected.
There was created In each congress
sional district an agricultural and
normal training school for instruction
in modern and scientific farming suit
ed to that particular district. Two fe
male normal schools were established,
to train teachers for the primary
schools. and to give the young girls
OF the State an equal opportunity FIR
education, as that afforded to the
young men. The length OF terms of
the schools, the salaries of teachers
and better sanitary conditions In the
schools were especially advocated by
Governor Swanson. Nothing afforded
him greater pleasure than to see the
great educational uplift and advance
that has come to Virginia. I'm recent
years.
Under his administration there was
created department of dairy and
food inspection. and 1t is needless to
say that this department has done
great good for the State in the way
of prohibiting the sale and consump-
ton OF impure foods and dairy pro-
ducts
He interested himself in the pres
ervation of the forest. and at his sug-
gestion the United States government
has undertaken scientific study or
In the State of Virginia
to determine the best means by which
the forests may be preserved.
Under the administration of Gov
ernor Swanson by increased appro-
priations. which he strongly advocat-
ed. the fruit industry In Virginia was
greatly developed. and Virginia stands