The Washington herald., 1911-09-10
SOME COMMENT ON
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION

From the Roanoke Evening World
The primary. resulted in an overwhelm-
ing victory for Senators Martin and
Swanson. For those who supported
Messrs. Glass and Jones the returns
offer scarcely a crumb OF comfort. 1t
was a clean sweep, from Bristol to the
sea, and unqualified triumph for the ma
chine and the machine leaders and an
Endorsement of their plans and policies.
To-day Messrs., Martin and Swanson and
their lieutenants have every reason to
feel jubilant. We haze no doubt that
| they are the recipients Of thousands Of
congratulations, not only. from Virgin
| ians, but from people in other parts of
the country. To Senator Martin, whose
years are not as young as they used
| to be, the result must be particularly
gratifying; for II marks and crowns his
| life with a signal and brilliant victory
and gives him practical assurance that
his tenure OF the Senatorship will extend
to the end OF his days. Senator Swanson.
who is yet comparatively a young man,
enters upon a new era Of political ac-
tvity, with unlimited opportunities for
usefulness and possibilities for further
promotion.
From the DanVille Register.
The people have spoken and in no un-
certain tones, rebuking the methods re-
sorted to by Messrs. Jones and Glass
in such a manner as to deter others from
following their example. AS we antici-
pated, a campaign OF disparagement can
not command favor among the fair
minded people of Virginia. No man ever
yet made himself great or even appear
great by disparagement Of a competi-
tor. Merit alone may be counted upon
to win. Demag gogy may win a few
followers, but 1t repels far more than it
attracts.
The people have spoken. Their voice
is supreme and decisive. Virginians love
fair play. and they have testified II
eloquently. The people of Virginia are
the machine which dominates the State.
And, incidentally. isn't II about time that
this silly twaddle about a machine and
a ring were being abandoned? 1t is a
reflection upon the intelligence OF the
people. and likewise upon that Of men
who resort to such a demagogic cry.
From the Roanoke Times.
4CSulN III the
primaries is not a victory for the ma
chine. 1t is the assertion Of the conser-
vatlsm and common sense Of the people
Of Virginia. 1t is a protest against de-
structive and violent methods of attack
on the chosen leaders of the party and
the representatives OF the State. 1t is
an Endorsement OF the faithful service OF
those who have won distinction for the
State and urged her forward along the |
line OF progress. 1t is condemnation Of
an attempt TO overthrow the men who |
had done this service by undermining |
their personal characters.
II Martin and Swanson had not made |
the records OF usefulness they did make |
the machine would have been powerless. |
II the people had believed them. or either |
OF them. to be corrupt or negligent the |
machine could not have carried them to !
victory
From the Farmville Herald
Let the buryiRg of the hatchet begin |
with the leaders. Martin in the Senate |
and Jones in the House. both repre-
sentatives OF a noble people, should shake |
hands. and Swanson and Glass should |
apologize. first the one to the other. and |
Away with elimination and recrimina- |
ton. and from this good hour let our |
leading men be decent OF conduct and |
Improvement on the convention plan, but |
the conduct of the primary may be |
greatly improved on.
From the New York Tnhre.
Senators Martin and Swanson and the |
Virginia machine have won in the DEM |
Ocratic primary. In condoling over this |
result the Richmond Times-DIspatch and |
the Commoner, OF Lincoln, Nebr.. will |
be able to get once more into sympathetic |
communion.
From the Petersburg Indcx-Arreal.
The people of the State in no uncertain |
manner have signifed their approval Of |
the course of the two Senators. Despite |
the tremendous efforts put forth against |
them, their majority reaches proportions |
far greater than the most sanguine sup
porters Of the two Senators predicted |
or hoped. 1t was a triumph such as few |
VirgInians have achieved. 1t was a vote |
of confidence. 1t was a plain declaration !
on the part of the people of the State
that they trust their representatives in !
the Upper House % Congress
1t was a command to them to continue
in the path they have followed. It should |
prove an inspiration to both men to
redouble their efforts to represent the
Commonwealth of Virginia faithfully and
well.
From the Baltimore Sun.
Virginia mas given Senator Thomas S.
Martin and Senator Claude A Swanson
vote of confidence. The majority they
received in the primaries is larger than
they had reason to expect, exceeding
the sanguine predictions of their own
managers.
Down with the machine" was the cry
OF their opponents. who advocated ny
merous reforms, and especially stricter
laws to prevent manipulation Of ballots
TrcIo IUoH