The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-29
Claude A. Swanson In Opening Campaign Speech Says Is

say in this connection that this charge
s wickedly and inexcusably false. i'ne
facts and figures upon which TINS
speech vas based were furnished NV
by Colonel Morton Msryc, then the
state auditor, a man Of unusual accur
iCy, and OF such character and stand
ing that no Firgirtan would believe
that he would make a false statement
to any one or for any purpose. J.
defy any one to show anything in that
speech which is not a true statement
Of state affairs. That speech was not
in any respect a eulogy Of myself or
my administration. 1t was calm and
defense OF the record OF
the Democratic party.
But why defend myself against Mr..
Glass charges in this respect? lie has
fnrished me In the Lynchbdrs News
~ the day after the conclusion of my
lie II as governor, a defense lEuta com
plcte and more conclusive than |
could make myself In tnis paper. at
the head OF the editorial column. re
advertises himself in bold type, Car
ter GLASS. owner This - mo-. usual
in papers. and could only nave been
done for the purpose Of Aasdirtns ie-
sponsibility for the views thc.e'n eN-
pressed. | present this adj 1liai for
the consideration o. the bhptte ~ ' - =
ginia;
Governor swanson.
February :. l9la
Governor Swanson laaTes he
office Of governor with the c"n-
seriousness that in the disehargs
Of an exalted trust he has earned
the well done Of his people
and that they give to him With
out stint and give in measure full
and in spirit earnest and sincere.
No prouder regard than tins can
Fl public servant well So.nt --"ar-
tainiv no need Of hon " sreattr
than this can people best Nv. IN
few-a very INSTANCES y
may have 50 happened mat hs
News" did not agree with ,he
views and acts OF the recurring ca
ecutiye. But. hearing 5hrss rIr,
occasions of difference in view
We have observed muEh T. Sr-
plaud in the energy, the dntir'hR
industry and the fidelity In1 abr
ity with which Governor swanson
has fully measured up to the
requiem Of his ttfiss. ma
hest wishes of this newspaper fni-
low the now ex-gov"caar as he
lays down the burden Of II civic
obligation with whi,h the Vii
ginia electorate honored hun fou.
years since and seeks q aeasJn of
well deserved rest and rslANatlnfl.
Again Mr.. Glass himself furnishes
conclusive refutation Of his sattsniy
preferred charges.
The only other charge tht7 re-
call from any source hat has beer
made against my admints'ratt n as
governor is the one recently fndIe IN
connection WITH the aignin5 II a bill
passed by the General Assembly 81
Virginia in the session If a01. per
uniting any railroad of n State &C
construct, purchase II lesse twe1' y
five miles Of road In ,cagth Cor t,lt
purpose Of furnishing a cutoff or con
Meeting line between two poin's n "a
own line. This bill was passed e
ena bile the Norfolk and Western Eaii-
way 10 obtain cat off b-t@een tl,t
points on its own road and - ehabi,
IL to carry its through traffic areune
the city Of L$uchburg The COAST.
tuition. not permitting spe al hills 4
be passed. 1t became nece ssI~y = haNt
a general statute which .souid be vii
HEED hy all railroads. Il has become
q absolutely necessary, on 0gsoui.t - tr'
greatly increased through tratie %
railroads TO carry this tr ,fnc aroun
cities rather than throaah Il rn
avoiding congestion and ;hds eivt
a more Efficient and prompt hani' .ui
Of all traffic. 10 the great benefit o
business. It prev ents danger nh Is
cidents also In the cttiss II save
the citizens from the noiss ami sn ah'
incident 70 the operation % freixh
train. 1t il decidedly better both To-
the cities and the railroads that su,t
traffic should go around and n
through. Every body Of ordinary husi
ness experience and 9bs@ ~Tattol cN'
understand this
Right for Railroad.
\ BID had been passed before
was governor which il was though
would permit this In this hill Their,
had been used the term branch line.
but the term cut of had not beer
used. and the supreme court had de
cided that the words branch line
ala not include the proposed ut-nf
and hence the RAILROADS did not hav'
the right of condemnation fer thi
purpose. The bill that is now betn'
criticised was introduced aud passe,
to give this privilege to the railroads
There Was no objection. Every bod
conceded tie necessity for such
right for the railroad, not only fo
their own benefit, but for the benen
Of cities and the general public, Tn
only objection that has been hear,
against this bin IL that II II had no
/ become n law It would have com
PEELED the Norfolk and Western Rail
1 way Company 10 obtain an amend
ment Of it's charter. which w0ul'
have made the. road surrender o.
exemptions and special privilege
/ possessed under its existing charter
/ The constitution OF Virginia provide
that where amendments to railroa
1 charters are granted all exemption
and special privileges are forfeited
/ The bin was introduced in the ilous
by MIR. C'hurchmau. OF Augusta. chair
man of the Com mittea on Roads AN
Internal Navigation, and was passe
10y the House OF Delegates ny
unanimous vote including the vote o
the speaker. 1t was amended in tn
Senate SO as to provide that all rail
roads that availed themselves of
should surrender all exemptions fror
taxation and II was passed by n vot
OF twenty-five 40 twelve and ca1na I
mo for approval The bill provide
that no railroad could avail itself q
its provisions without the consent an
approval OF the State Corporate
Commission. / would have preferre
that tho bill should have provide
that any railroad availing itself {
Its provisions should surrender a
exemptions and special privileges, bu
II seemed to me that where II wa
necessary and proper for any sue
exemptions and special privileges I
be surrendered this could he sue
cessfully obtained by requiring tn
consent and approval Of the Corpora
ton Commission before any railroa
could avail itself OF this act. TIL
bin clearly requires the consent an
approval Of the Corporation Commits
sion .{..tssa tt31rF