Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-08-02
THE SENATORIAL SITUATION

0ORANo VI iNNAVAo oNOiSb
from one J. : B. Thompson copy
book; but when these letters are an
alyzed hey would seem to afford no
reason for voting against Senator
Martin unless there is something
undisclosed, and some proof beyond
them.
The letter addressed to ThomasS S.
Martin was long prior to the cleo
ton, enclosing a subscription for
the canvass. At that time Mr. Mar
tin was not in public life but was
Democratic executive committee
man, and he was obtaining sub
scriptions for the general cause.
and money so received was applied
strictly for the purpose obtained.
And there is no reason to doubt his
statement. Mr.. Thompson was an
officer OF the Southern Railroad and
this subscription was probably
from the railroad; but at that time
every body understood that the
Democratic party solicited funds
from the railroads and felt grateful
for them. Certainly there can be
no moral or political offense in the
manner in which Committeeman
Martin obtained such contributions.
Today under the Barksdale and
other acts, this is not approved and
committeeman do not do it; but at
that time twas recognized as right.
legitimate and patriotic
The letters dated November %,
1891, from Mr.. Thompson to MIR.
Ellyson, General Logan and others
referred 10 Mr.. Martin. and the pre-
sumption is from the letters it
would appear they were all inter
ested 10 the election of their friend
the Hon. R. H. Cardwell, now Judge
on the Supreme bench, to the Office
OF Speaker OF the House of Dele
gates. He was elected, having
served several terms before. Ger
tainly it would be absolutely indie.
fensible for Mr.. Jones or any one
else to give gratuitous and wrong
full Interpretation as matter of sur
mise or suggestion to be put on this
matter.
1t seems to THE GAZETTE that the
whole matter as presented by Mr.
Jones is one Of iEuendo and insinu
alton. Inuendo is ikened to the
Italian stiletlo in attacking the
character and reputation, and it is
neither frank nor Just to attack
character and reputation with this
weapon, which to some unthinkino
minds carries proof as strong as
Holy Writ, but TO a man who thinks
and analyze yes and whose heart is
right no conviction can be made or
such evidence
Mr.. Jones has made most eyre
gious blunder in presenting a case
which has no more foundat on If
legal evidence than this. and he i
absolutely devoid Of frankness if he
has evidence which he has failed I,
produce, which would make out ;
case.
Senator Martin has represented
the people of Virginia now for man,
years. He has rung true in ever,
crisis, and by his splendid attain
ments and fearlessness he has at
tanned the leadership OF the Demo
cratic party in the greatest legisa
tive body on earth.
Is it not folly for Virginian +
think OF discharging him from hi
splendid field of endeavor and worl
just when he has reached a position
of leadership where he can be Ct in
finite benefit to his State and couu
try. and start on the road a ney
man who could not reach the sam
point except after years of expert
ence, if fortune should ever favo
him with the opportunity?
THE GAZETTE believes that in Mar
tin and Swanson we have q foo,