The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-29
THE PEOPLES FORUM


Editor OF The virEfnian:
/ Sir,--Talk about your strenuous
presidents, why we have In our gov
ernor q striking example OF what q
man can DO when he II expected to
make several speeches a day, In dif-
ferent localities and on various sub
jeots. Governor Mann was q busy
man from the time OF his arrival in
Norfolk Thursday until his departure
Friday evening for other chimes. At
Deep Creek hewas greeted by a vast
throng OF people from all over Nor
folk county. without regard to poll
tics. as many Republicans were pres
ent-and not q word on the subject
0 fpohtics did any one hear. Governor
Mann was at his best: he made a
splendid address to the three thoiis-
and present, mostly along the line OF
education. He was accorded a SPLEEN
did reception, and easily convinced
the crowd he is q friend Of the people
in every sense. devoted to the In
terests OF the farmer and the educa-
tor.
The dinner served by the people of
the county was one Of the good old
kipd, and enough for everybody--and
then some. Too much praise could
not be given those enterprising people
In serving the vast crowd.
The Deep Creek High School de-
serves especial mention--it is q credit
to the State and Norfolk county--and
here it Is well to emphasize the fact
that this beautiful. well equipped
building is the outcome OF the heroic
work of former Senator William
Hodges Mann, and one of the 240 of
like character IN the Commonwealth.
But to return to my mutton-by the
way, | had q gracious plenty at Deep
Creek--Governor Mann, after leaving
there, was on the program to meet
several prominent gentlemen In Nor
folk in the evening. which he did. and
tho following morning. bright and
early was up and about to meet the
accountants in annual convention.
Having satisfied that crowd with a
speech he was hurried up to the as
sembly room in the Lynnhayen hotel
to talk to the farmers. The COVER
nor was as fresh as you please and
certainly did talk straight to the
sturdy old farmers present: he laid
special emphasis on preparation Of the
soil, the. use of fertilizers, ETC.. and
when ne got talking about corn he
gave out some statements almost be-
yond belief as to what Virginia is
doing In raising corn, especially as to
| the activities of the 5000 boys in the
State who are now working ito beat
the band" for the prizes offered by
parties. This Farmers Institute was
success in every particular, and
many expressions for cooperation
among the farming element of this
| county was heard. In this connec-
| ton it Is we'll to state that DIR. True,
of the U. s. Agricultural Department,
made q very fine talk OF te work OF
the Federal government-serving to
open the eyes OF many present on the
vast efforts Of the government to help
the farmers of the United States to
help themselves.
| There was something else doing in
the talk-fest line for the governor i'm
mediately after his speech to the
farmers of over an hour. which was
to meet tho Boys OF the press, a
t task for any one, but easy to one who
knows how! Well. the governor met
them, talked at them, and although
a little di;dent (let me say, carefully
he made "A good impression. o, yes.
the governor loves the boys" what
public man does not? But seriously,
the whole crowd got along finely to-
gether. and the boys Wern,t d bid
scared. Now, how was that for
strenuosity? Teddy had better look
t to his laurels--our own Governor
Mann is hustler himself. I can
only briefly refer to one other Incl
dent and that was as the guest on the
previous evening of the Southern Pro-
duce Company. where he was the
J principal speaker. Here Governor
b snn WAS equally at homo as he had
| been. and WIS to be. Friday to many
friends and advisers