Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-06-22
Have Made an Issue.
Roanoke World.

Roanoke World.
Whether successful or not, Congress
men Jones and Glass have made an is
sue in this State that must be met and
fought out. 1t is the same issue that
was made in the West in the Republi-
can party by LaFollette, Cummins and
other Republicans called insurgents.
They charge Martin and Swanson as be-
ing parts of a political machine that
controls the State, parcelling out the
offices among their followers and sup
porters, and in sffiliation with the cor
porations that have, until within the
last few years, been able to dominate
legislation and use the machinery of
government for the furtherance of their
own private ends. Senator Martins
votes on tariff measures and other
measures puts the burden on him of
showing that he is not allied with these
interests, notwithstanding his claiming
to be Democrat.
We say such fight has been made in
the West by the insurgent Republicans.
We may say it is also such a fight as is
being made in the East by such Demo-
Gratis as Woodrow Wilson and others. II
is fight to hold party to principle. and
1t is a good sign for the country that
such fight is going on in each of the
great parties. The fight is bound SOON
er or later to win in this State, and if
Senator Martin and Senator Swanson
are to win also they will have to demon
strate that they are on the side of the
people and not on the side of the inter-
ests that have been riding the people.
The time is suspicious for such a con-
test In each of the great parties. Sec
tlonal lines in politics have been obliter-
ated, and there is no side issue that can
divert the minds of the people. Pas
sion cannot be aroused, race hatreds
cannot intervene. Calm elaboration ia
taking the place of excited appeals, and
facts are being scrutinized. The issue
must be met.-Staunton Leader.
1t is certainly true that Conpressmen
Jones and Glass have made an issue
whether Messrs. Martin and Swanson
think 80 or not. II the issue is not met
by them freely and frankly, and thew
content themselves with merely trying
to blow it down the winds and think
that will satisfy the people, they will
make the greatest mistake of their
lives. Congressman Jones and Glass
have each made distinct charges against
their respective competitors and a num-
Der of former friends of the latter con-
Tess that unless they can successfully |
refute the charges they will lose the
votes OF great many people who have |
been disposed to support them. People |
all over the country and of all political
parties are becoming weary of bosses
and political machinery. In many states
the boss has been silenced or driven
out. Until within recent years it was
not thought that Virginia was good soil
for their growth. Malone tried it
thirty years ago and for a while ruled
with high hand, debating who should
hold this place or that. He had but a
brief career, as the people came to
themselves and when ousted from per-
sonai control he sought refuge with
many of his followers in the Republican
party. Senator Martin is now credited
with being the party boss. Search
among all the men in office, from the
governor down, and in nine cases out of
ten you will find supporter of Senator
Martin and his alleged combination.
Even some newspapers that are sup
porting him, confess that they have sold
themselves to his cause. 1t is a humiii.
sting confession, but the conditions
'eem to justify the charge that DO
itical oligarchy is in power in the State.
eft them conno oa,f info A. q. ~xzS.---------t