The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-10
Voice Of the People
Thomas s. Martin.

Thomas s. Martin.
To the Editor OF The Times Dispatcii:
Sir,-I have known Thomas S Mar
TN for three decades served upon the
democratic State Committee with him
Tor years, fought shoulder to shoulder
! campaigns ever waged i'll Virginia
! 1883, when Malone was overthrown
and the legislative power of the State
wrested from the Republicans; 1884
when Cleveland was elected President
and 1885, when Governor. Lieutenant
Governor and AttorneyGencral We're
elected. bringing the State under COM
plGte Democratic control.
Ihese We're strenuous times-days
ina That tried mems principles-but
thomas 5. Martin was always on the
port and wise counselor. bulwark for
Gordon. and for more than twenty
years one OF the strongest supports of
Chairman. Ellyson. We had to raise
money-yes, lots of it, and use it, too
Tor we felt that our civilization was
at stake when the Republicans in pow
er with brazen cffrontery had APP
pointed negro school trustees in our
capital city. and negroes were aspiring
TO seats in Congress. one OF whom was
actually elected and served. We had
TO night despera tely to gain and re-
tain party supremacy and thu sinews
Of waS had 10 be provided.
have attended committee meetings
when everything looked as blue as in
most hopeless. notably during the cam
paign Of 1881. and often have | seen
Martin rise and in his clear, concise
and forceful way outline ii cIean-cut
plan OF campaign which met the APP
proval OF all and cleared the horizon.
We all worked and did our best, but
we always looked to Martin to do as
much as any ten of us. We leant
| upon him heavily at lines but he
! never i!inched or faltercd and never
disappointed us. He raised money for
for years. and in addition was trusted
reader, wise in council and strong in
action Martins reputation and inhu
enco grew every year until his great
contest with General Fitz Lee for the
United states Senate
In that fight ! was opposed to Mar
had been closel" connected for four
years and regarded him a strong man
Tor the position. When the contest
vas over and Martin nominated, al
tenance or take any part with those
OF General Lees hot-headed support
ers who claimed that Martins nomina-
tion was erected by undue means.
but went home very much disguised
over their action.
/ fought Martin hard. but hit above
the belt. and when he was nominated,
accepted. /, as the honest judgment
of = majority of the Democratic mem
pers OF the General Assembly, which
II was. The claim that Martins nomi-
by the Improper use of money Is a
slander upon the General Assembly and
Is untrue. The facts are that Martins
strenuous party service, his ability and
strength OF character was well known
20 the party leaders who nodded pub
nc opinion throughout the State. and
1t was in recognition of these party
services-his ability and force of char
acter that he was nominated.
] watched carefully, and I may say
critically. Martins course during his
first term. and before he came UP for
re-election recognized that Virginia
mad secured the services of the most
useful and influential man she had
sent to. the Senate for a long time and
gave him hearty support.
The cry of ring rule is as old as
the organization OF political parties.
and Is getting very stale. 1 have heard
st all my life. and Il generally comes
There will be found considerable
faction of recalcitrants in every po-
!itical party. men who revolt because
their particular views and policies do
not meet the approval and ratiica-
ton Of n majority of their party as
sociates: they become obsessed with
their own Importance. and because the
tai can't ,wag the dog. want to cut
off Its head; kick out of the traces. and
cry ring rule. Ring rule! Ring rule!
Down with the ring"
she advice and counsel of Democratic
leaders who have won distinction and
influence through lifetime of party
service should be often sought and
frequently followed? rs II strange or
remarkable that the Democratic party
should recognize and elevate to po-
sitions Of public trust men who have
proven their ability and their loyalty
and devotion to the party?
Is II strange or remarkable that the
men thus distinguished and advanced
others not similarly situated?
Is IL not the plain duty OF men so