Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-08-09
DOES A RING RULE
IN old VIRGINIA?
Richmond NeWs-leader C0nvinc-
ed That 1t Does
so DOES HON. C. v. MEREDITH
Long Letter Published Attacking
The Machine

The Richmond News-Leader OF
last Wednesd published lengthy |
letter from Hon. Chas. V. Meredith |
of Richmond, attacking the record
OF Senator Martin, and in the same
issue of that paper the following
editorial appeared:
That Senator Thomas S. Martin
was and was known as a railroad
lobbyist before his election to the
Senate is the conclusion that Charles
V. Meredith drives home in an ar
tcle printed in The News-Leader.
"Mr. Meredith, after summing up
the evidence, declares that while a
math ematical demonstration Of Sen
ator Martins railroad services in
matters of legislation is not to be
had, yet under the rules by which
an ordinary man would guide his
conduct or form his opinions, Sena-
tor Martin is fairly chargeable with
having been a railroad lobbyist,
both before and after 1891. Why,
then, asks Mr.. Meredith, did Sen
ator Martin deny this charge, and
why has he offered no positive and
concrete disproof?' The State of
Virginia may we'll echo 'Why?'
In their campaign speeches, Mr..
Jones and Mr.. Glass have al
legged repeatedly that there is a ring
within the Democratic party which
effectively controls the State and
ruthlessly stamps out opposition by
prescribing all candidates for office
or for preferment who are not will
ing to do the bidding OF the ring.
In support Of this charge the oppo-
nents, Senators Martin and Swan
son, point to the fact that those gen.
tlemen largely control the State S
most important officials, and the fol-
lowing examples are cited:
1T was the compact between
practical and prohibition politicians
that elected Governor Mann, and
the governor has never forgotten
that debt.
1T was in payment of the politi-
cal debts OF Governor Swanson that
Judge w. f. Rhea was put on the
, corporation commission, aud it was
at the request of Senator Martin
that Mr.. Wingfeld, a personal friend
and political ally of Senator Mar,
? tin S, received his appointment to the
same Office.
1T was in defiance of the consti
tuition and against the welfare of the
a State that w. Mcdonald Lee. rims
, supporter, had his salary raised
{ while in office and was twice APP
p pointed fish commissioner of Vir
ginia.
, 1T was when Senator Daniel diet
, that there we're out OF all Virgins
6 only two names considered for tn
4 appointive term-Congres m a.
q Flood and Ex-Governor Swanson
!. both embers of the inner circle
only these two in a State which ha
Henry G. Stuart, Harry St. Georg
Tucker, Andrew Jackson Montague
Il Edwin Anderson Alderman, Allie
II Caperton BraXton, George H. Der
" ny, Eppa Hunton, Jr., w. A. Ar
A. derson, Colonel Archer Anderson
70 but why call the roll?
Is TT was Governor Swanson VIII
I. permitted the pay-rolls during hi
&C term to be increased 100000 an
% almost bankrupted the treasury.
~ 1T was Governor Mann, the
= Senator Mann, who got through
IN bill increasing by 80 per cent tt
y. compensation of office holders pal
NJ by the iniquitous fee system. and
40 was Governor Swanson who signe
~ that bill.
no These are the statements tn
as are made in support of contentiC
~ that 4 ring dominates Virginia. ar
~ we have collected them witho
Il. passion and without prejudice, b
ing content to give the facts, to tut
on the lights, and to leave the r
AT suits to the common sense and Il
d? patriotism of the State"
n? "
ng The Honduran government b