The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1911-08-16
Gen. Ayers On
Senator Martin

Editor Post:
have known Thos. s. Martin
for three decades, served upon
the Democratic State Commit
tee with him for years, fought
shoulder to shoulder with him
through the most memorable
campaigns ever waged in Vir.
ginia-iSS3 when Malone was
overthrown and the Legislative
power of the State wrested from
the Republicans 1884, when
Cleveland was elected president
and 1885 when a governor,
Acknowledgement and attor-
ney general were elected, bring
ing the State under complete
Democratic control.
These were strenuous times
days that tried men s principles
but Thomas s. Martin was
always on the firing line, Bar
bour's right hand support and
wise counsellor, a bulwark for
Gordon and for more than
twenty years one of the strong
est supports of Chairman Ely
son. We had 80 raise money
yea, lots of it, and use il too,
for we felt that our civilization
was at stake when the Republi
cans in power with brazen eff
frontery had appointed 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 fight des.
perately to gain and retain
party supremacy and the sinews
of war had to be provided.
have attended committee
meetings when everything
looked as blue as indigo and tho
prospects of success almost
hopeless-notably during the
campaign of ashland often
have seen Martin rise, and in
his clear, concise and forceful
way, outline a clean cut plan of
campaign which met the APP
provnl of all and cleared the
horizon We all worked and
did our best, but we have all
ways looked to Martin to do as
much as any ten OF us. We
leant upon him heavily at
times, but he never llinched or
faltered, and never disappoint-
ed US. He raised money for the
committee during every cam
paign for years and in addition
was a trusted leader, wise in
council and strong in action.
Martins reputation and snilu-
ence grew every year until his
great contest with General Fitz
Lee for the United States
Senate.
In that fight was opposed to
Martin and supported Lee with
whom / had been closely con.
nected for four years, and re
garded him n strong man for
the position. When the contest
was over and Martin nomina-
ted, although disappointed, |
did not countenance or take any
part with those of General Lee $
hot headed supporters who
claimed that Martins nomina-
ton was effected by undue
means, but went home very
much Disguised over their
action.
l fought Martin hard, but hit
above the belt, and when he
was nominated, accepted it as
the honest judgment of u major.
ity of the Democratic members
of the General Assembly, which
it was. The claim that Martins
nomination and election was
brought about by the improper
use of money is a SANDER upon
the General Assembly, and is
untrue. The facts are that Mar
tins strenuous party service,
his ability and strength of
character were we'll known 10
the party leaders who moulded
public opinion throughout the
State, and it was in recognition
of these party services, his
ability and force of character
that he was nominated.
l watched carefully, and l
may say critically, Martins
course during his first term,