Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-08-19

whole can fairly claim to be I'M
bossed in the Malone Murphy sense
of the word, and her general elections
represent the will of the people.
Gall this does not prove, however,
that there is no such thing as po-
litical organization in Virginia, and
that it may not work for its ends In
it's own way. That way is necessar-
lily different from the way of the
coarse, brutal boss in New York, be-
cause the Virginian will not stand for
that way of doing things and be-
cause the situation in Virginia rend-
ers ii impracticable. But there may
be various methods Of accomplishing
the same object, and the history and
results of Virginia politics during the
last decade or so show that system
attic effort has been made by the or
canization to control the state in the
interest of certain men and measures.
That it has not been uniformly sue
cessful does not prove the absence of
such effort, but simply the difficulty
of carrying out the purpose with an
electorate composed of sensitive and
heightened voters. The dominion of
the organization has not been com
plete and unbroken, but there can be
no question that it has exercised
general sovereignty in Democratic
party affairs for considerable term
of years. Occasionally, the voters,
like high-mettled horse, have thrown
off this or that rider, and have taken
the bit in their teeth, but, for the
most part, the organization has man.
aged to keep it's seat. Why have Mar
tin, Swanson and other standpat lead
ers been able in the past to defeat
ADLER men than themselves and 10
keep in the background, until re-
Gently, such Virginians has forn'er
Governor Montague? Why were they
able to come to the Democratic con-
vention in Baltimore with a delcga-
ton the majority of which was poll
tically in sympathy, for the time be-
ing. at least, with such an organlza-
ton as Tammany? Why were they
able to bring with them as Il member
of that delegation a man who had
been close in New York to Wall street
and to all the political business ac-
tivities of Mr.. Murphy? Was it be-
cause they are recognized as men
If transccndent talent, as great
statesmen? Was it because of their
overwhelming personal popularity
We think our correspondent will con-
cele that their admitted sway IN VIZ
pinia has been due to none OF these
reasons. They have been strong be-
cause they have built up strong Or
ganization and have known how TO
keep it going. They have been
shrewd enough to use the vciVci grove
rather than the iron hand;- they nave
been familiar enough with Virginia
and prejudices to keep on
the blind side of the voters. But from
the fact that they have remained OF
ton while better and NOR progress
sive men have been kept underneath.
the conclusion is irresistible, either
that Virginians prefer unprogrt SSlVe
and inferior political representatives,
"a conclusion which canno. be enter
tanned for moment-or that the
Martin-Swanson combinat'on NAM
tains itself by the help Of other II
flu9nceS."
IF the editorial writer OF the SrA
was more familiar with political
conditions in Virginia he would draw
different conclusions in answer 10 f!S
own questions. There is no great ci!.
ference between Virginia Democrats
and those of other states. lney Gle
vate to office and keep in power men
that can give the best service. i''E
appreciate the years of work that sen
ator Martin, for instance. has gwen
TO the interest of the State III the
Senate and will keep him there q"
long as he is willing to stay and they
depreciate and punish so far as the!
can, the men who raised ar Issue
of falschood and calumny aGall<,
Senator Martin III the last s1I:toE!A:
primary. They were n!easea with the
conduct Of Senator swanson W thc
subernatorial cra." AND as ally Is
possible they h1Acied HIM WIFE d
seat in the senace.
The people OF lac state are INC
best Judges anl Their decision as To
which man is the lest able 70 FcPi <
seni them is final, and their oiiH!oF