The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-01
THE EX-GOVERNOR AND THE COW
ERNpR,

THE EX-GOVERNOR AND THE GOV
ERNpIt.
Claude A. Swanson leaves the Cover
nor's mansion decidedly bigger anG
more important man than when he
entered it. He was fought bitterly
especially In his first campaign, as 8
candidate put forward by .'machne,'
but the progress of his term has grad
ually developed the thought that nc
machine is to be dreaded as long as II
puts itself behind such capable and
progressive figures as his. His admin
istration has been pronounced sue
cess. Hardly discordant voice mars
the general chorus of Well-done We
do not mean that everything that Mr.
been universally commended, for it
has not: but even those who once most
warmly opposed him now freely say
that he has given the State one of the
best administrations in its more mod
ern history. Even the thing for which
nc was most generally and most sharp
~ criticized--the appointment of Judge
Rhea to the Corporation Commission
is seen in new light in retrospect.
The criticisms all came in advance of
the appointment: nobody has criticized
the results of it. or had any reason
to.
Governor Swanson's success in the
executive chair has been due to broad
and simple causes. He has stood for
something, and stood strongly-for
progress. for development, for doing
things, for building up the greatness
and prosperity of Virginia An
energetic and ambitious man, he has
regarded his honorable post not as
a haven of refuge for successful poll
teal aspiration, but as great chance
to do something important for the
state whose son he is. Not content to
he a Governor of red-tape and routine
he has thought and planned and
worked and struggled for those bigger
ends which we call results. And so
guido, and impelled he has played a
notable part in the progress move
nent which has driven the State so
four years. Mr.. Swanson goes out
with the hearty appreciation and good
will of tho State. 1t would be absurd
to imagine that a man so young as
he. with his qualifications and val
uable experience, had reached the end
of his political career. He is fit for
public service In high places, and his
future will be watched with very keen
interest.
Governor Mann, who moves into the
chair to-day, has splendid oppor-
tunity to take up, continue and empha-
size the progressive policies that
marked the last administration. His
captaincy comes, it seems to us al
moment peculiarly interesting and
peculiarly important in the history of
Fl virsinia--at a moment when the state
Is just fairly swinging out on tide
direction, and when the fundamentals
of progress bettct roads, better
schools better farming-are appealing
TO the peoples imagination and in
terest as mover before IT lies in the
Governors power to give help of the
greatest value to these movements. He
VIII find the people behind him. Gov
crnor Mann, like his predecessor, was
vigorously opposed for the nomina-
lion. but such bitterness as may have
been engendered then has faded, and
he will find himself Loyalty supported
and upleld in every noyc bn ,,,,l,au
for the bettermcnt of Virginia We
wish him the heartiest Godspecd. No
better Inauguration day hope can be
expressed for him than that, when he
IN his turn steps down four years
hence, it will be generally said that
he has COMPOUNDED his opponents and
justified the confidence of his friends
as successfully as has the Governor
Who retires today,