Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-03-31
.lASS ENDORSES SWANSON
AND PRAISES HIS ADJ
MINiSTRATlON.
Editorial from the Lynchburg News
September 30, 1909.

Editorial from the Lynchburg News
September 30. 1909.
"Governor Swanson's address at
Surry Court House day before yester-
lay, is conclusive. 1t deserves the
widest possible circui alton. This not
only because it is strong Democratic
document, out also because
it is SO enlightening and instructive
with reference to Virginia pubic
aft airs during the past four years, as
to possess in striking degree real
educational value. The speech is
essentially ''meaty." 1t comprises
relation of facts and a presentation OF
figures that speak to eloquent, con-
vincing effect. 1t conveys message
in which every Virginia citizen re-
CARELESS of political utilization, has
re ason to experience the utmost prlde
aud satisfaction. 1t tells of a great
Commonwealth whose affairs have
been administered with clean hands
with answering fidelity-with high
order of ability and measure OF sue
Gees so pronounced, so unmistakabie'
so far-reaching as to appear nothing
short of amazing.
And it is to be borne in mind thai
Governor Swanson "speaks from the
book" His figures are official. His
facts ascertained from admittedly
authentic sources. He INDUCES in nc
reckless beliefs. He bOrrowS no
from the funds of optimism in pre-
senting his case. His conclusions are
not colored with the bias OF partisan
zeal He submits the recOrd-the &C
tual official record-as it has beer
written 10y the Democratic party as
| it is lodged in the archives of govern
ment: as it has been exemplified IN
| practical application. And in the
| fact of that record. Republican pre-
tention and Republican whining as to
extravagant administration, as to III
crease in salaries, as to misgovern-
| ment in any shape, fall to pieces as
does a child's wrecked cardhouse
Eyes, we've expended more money
since the new constitution became
operative, in effect said the Cover
nor-"but, thanks to wise Democratic
Policies, we've had more money tC
expend. Have We appropriated il
unwisely That's the question. Fol
answer, witness official exhibits
Here's how the public funds have beer
| dis ributed-here's full, fair show
down. In the face thereof let the peo
| pie say whether they approve, and le
the Republican party answer wherein
it would curtail if having the power
| Thus Governor Swanson invites Re
puhlicanism to test before which it:
leaders stand in really pathetic i'm
potence. They dare not promise Il
reduce expenditures for educational
purposes; they dare not promise t.
reduce appropriations for good roads
they dare not promise to expen6 les:
than is now appropriated for agricul
tvral development-nor to abolish tn
Department of Labor-nor give les
to Confederate vet Grams, nor strik
down the Health Department of tho
State; nor impair the. support now rem
dered to eleemosynary Institutions
nor narrow the Corporation Com
MISSIONS sphere of action nor reduc
Judicial salaries. They dare do non'
of these, and so are left with practi
cally no ground of complaint worth.
a hearing-with no weapon of attack
no recourse in argument save that o
reckless dispersion, ground less sus
picion, and wholesale abuse.
A great speech, this of Mr.. Swanson
and one that will have a tremen
dous impression upon the public senti
ment of the State. When compared
with its carrying" power-when con
trasted with its mastery array o
convincing data, now dwindles tn,
force and dignity of that typewriter
wall now being read from the Vir
ginia hustings, by Captain Kent-hov
really puny aud pitiable it appears.