Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-08-30
SENATOR SNANSON'S SPEECH AT LAWRENCEvILLE Is
A COMPLETE ANSWER TO ALL CRARGES WHlCh
HAvE4BEEN MADE AGAINST HIM

of Senator Claude A. SwansOn's speech
at .Lawrenceyille, which he made on
Monday August 2sth in opening his
campaign for nomination to succeed
himself as United States Senator III
the Democratic primary of September
9TH.
NV. fellow Democrats Of Virginia
i am delighted that, by the ad-
journment OF Congress, am at last
given an opportunity TO present my
claims, for your consideration, 10
succeed myself in the Senate OF the
United States and TO reply to many
false charges, misstatements and un-
Just insinuations which have been
uttered against me during the last
two months. l considered it my
duty to remain in Washington and
discharge as faithfully as l could
the duties of the high Office to which
the Governor of Virginia had COM
missioned me. The session of con-
gress which has just adjourned was
one of vast importance and far-reach-
ing significance, both TO the Demo-
cratic party and the Nation. Having
accepted this Commission and being
paid to remain in Washington TO
perform certain duties OF my posi-
lion. | considered that | would be
derelicL and false to the people if |
should desert my post and abandon
my work to advance my own pollti-
cal fortunes. l may have suffered
some personal political loss on ac-
count OF pursuing this course, but |
have. the consciousness OF knowing
that no public interest has suffered
Z by my absence or negligence. Dur
ing the terms of my service the
Senate has been in session almost
eight months. Within this time
many important and varied ques-
tons affecting our national policies
have been under discussion and
voted upon, and although the cam
paign prosecuted against me has been
one OF great bitterness and vlndlc-
tiysness: yet no one has pointed nor
can point to a vote cast by me or a
thing done that was not n the in
terest OF the State of Virginia and
the Nation, or which they would dare
TO criticize or disprove. Thus, the
commission the Governor has given
me, will be returned to him without
a blot or blemish, and challenging
the sererest criticism. Those who
are opposed to the renewal Of my
commission to represent the people
in the Senate of the United States,
do not and cannot claim that 1t
should be refused on account Of any
dersliction Of duty. They present
their opposition entirely upon
other grounds. | wish 10 say that
served in the House Of Representa-
tlves for thirteen years, and during
that time there was pending in that
body every conceivable question
affecting our national affairs. This
service extended from 1893 to
1905, years OF great political dis
turbance, involving many new and
perplexing questions--taritf, currency,
nnance, regulation Of trusts and rail-
roads, peace, war, taxation, conser-
walton of national resources, and
almost everything affecting our ma
tional well-being. | have yet TO see
or hear where any one has criticized
a single vote cast by me during these
10 years OF service. l invite the
fullest scrutiny Of this record, and
I am satisfied that il is one consist
entity for the best interests of the
State of Virginia and this great ma
ton. have striven earnestly and
faithfully TO give TO each the best
and most patriotic service OF which
I was capable. | am satisfied, con-
sidering the Misrepresentation and
unjust criticisms which have been
made against me on small and i'm
material matters, that if there was
anything in this public record which
could be assailed i would ere this
have been severely subjected TO it.
/ know of no charge affecting the
duties Of Senator which have been
presented against me in this cam
paign. The fullest examination and
scrutiny seem to have failed to obtain
it from my public record in Congress.
AS l am a candidate to continue to
serve the people in the Federal
Government 1t would seem to me that
this fact should be sufficient to justify
continued confidence and approval.
My opponent, noted for his vitup-
erative and vindicttye methods OF
campaigning, being unable to create
any issues by any votes cast or
positions taken by me upon National
questions has seen proper TO conduct
his campaign entirely upon my record
as Governor and irrelevant personal
matters. | am perfectly willing to
meet him upon these matters and
answer fully and completely all the
false charges and Measurements he
has made in reference TO them.
am willing to have my fitness for
public Office tested by my record as
Governor of Virginia.
During these four years l gave the
people OF Virginia the best service OF
which T was capable. l labored in
cessantly in all directions for the pro-
gress and bettermept of the State.
l conducted my campaign for the
GovernorShip as an advocate OF
specific progressive policies: having
promised the people if elected
would exercise all the powers apper'
tanning to the high office of Governor
for the furtherance Of these policies
/ fulfilled my pledge and did my
utmost for their accomplishment
Heartily cooperating with the Gen
eral Assembly of Virginia, the result:
achieved were beyond expectations
| wish to say that / do not ascrlbs
to myself the chief credit for thu
great and manifold benefits which
came to Virginia during the foul
years | was Governor. because con
ceive that the greater measure DE-
longs to the members OF the Genera
Assembly, who responded Loyalty anc
earnestly to the recommendations
made. l willing share with them
the responsibility and credit for Wha'