The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-06
WAS SWANS0N'S ADMINISTER
TON EXTRAVAGANT?

In view OF the attack maze by Tue
officers of the new Democratic
League. which league. as is well
known, is supporting Congressman
Glass in his senatorial fight against
Senator Swanson, on the administra-
ton of Swanson and Of the charges
of extravaganza urged against that
administration. it is both interesting
and amusing to note that Mr.. Glass
paper, The Lynchburg News, in an
editorial of September 30th, 1909,
shortly before Swanson went out Of
Office, paid a high tribute to his Sue
cessful administration of State at
fairs. Ii will be recalled thai ,h,
+ Republicans were then engaged II
attempting to defeat Judge Mann
for Governor and their principal
charge against the Democrats was
extravaganza. Gov. Swanson an
swered that charge (the same one
the Democratic League now makes)
so effectually in his speech at Surry
Court House that little more was
heard of it. 1t was in connection
with that speech that Mr.. Glass
paper contained the editorial of
September 30th. which was in part
as follows:
Governor SwanSon's address al
Surry Court House day before yes
terday, is conclusive. 1t deserves
the widest possible circulation. TIE
speech is essentially 'meaty.' 1t
comprises a relation of facts and a
presentation Of figures that speak to
eloquent, convincing effect.
"And it is TO be borne in nina
that Governor Swanson speaks from
the book His figures are official.
His facts aScertained from admitted
" authentic sources. He indulges
in no reckleSsly asserted beliefs He
borrows not from the funds of Op-
timism in presenting his case. His
conclusions are not cOlored with the
bias of partisan zeal. He submits
the record the actual official record
as il has been written by the DEM
ocratic party; as it is lodged in the
archives of government; as it has
been exemplifed in practical appli-
cation. And in the face Of that rec
ord, Republican pretenslon and Re
publican whining as to extravagant
administration, as to increase in sal
aries, as 10 misgovernment in any
shape, fall to pieces as does a child's
wrecked cardhouse. Yes, we've ex-
pended more money since the new
Constitution became operative, in
effect said the GovernOr-'but,
thanks to wise Democratic policies.
we've had more money to expend.
Have we appropriated it unwisely?
That's the question. For answer,
witness official exhibits. Here's how
the public funds have been distribu-
te6-here's full, fair showdown.
In the face thereof let the people
say whether they approve, and let
the Republican party answer where
in it would curtail if having the
power Thus Governor Swanson in
vites Republicanism to test before
which its leaders stand in really pa
thetic impotence. They dare not
promise to reduce expenditures for
educational purposes; they dare not
promise to reduce appropriations for
good roads; they dare not promise
to expend less than is now apprOpri-
ated for agricultural Development
nor TO abolish the Department of La
bor-nOr give less to Confederate
veterans, nor strike down the Health
Department Of the State-nor impair
the support now rendered to eleemO-
synary institutions. nor narrow the
Corporation Commissions sphere Of
action; nor reduce judicial salaries.
They dare do none of these, and so
are left with practically no ground
Of complaint worthy q hearing, with
no weapon of attack, no recourse in
argument save that of reckless as
persion, groundless suspicion and
wholesale abuse"
If the News was sincere in what it
said in the fall of l909,it cannot con-
sistently endorse now the charge of
extravaganza brought against Gov.
Swanson's administration nor can it,
or for that matter, Mr.. Glass. con-
sistently favor the reduction Of APP
preparations for those purposes which
it mentions in its editorial.