The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-31

lines of former speeches. He thanked
the voters for their endorsement of
him at the former primary.
There should be question OF senti-
ment, as we'll as ability and politics
In the selection of an official" said
the Mayor. 81 was raised In this
section. where the first time / ever
saw a ballot deposited in a box was
at he old Marshall Ward Precinct on
Twenty Street between Broad
and Grace, when / was n boy. / feel
honored in standing before this large
body of old friends and new, for |
fee. they have the same confidence in
me as when they gave me such
hearty support at the last election
was not elected by any group or or
sGnizator of men. In taking up the
Office, I sought the advice of my fell
low citizens and the advice of officials
from other cities believing that pub
lice servant should give to the people
who elect him the very best he has in
him. / want advice as well as criti-
cism. 1t is the right of every citizen
to express himself to his servant.
am never ashamed or afraid to ask
advice, and have fulfilled every
promise made at the last election, and
will continue to serve fearlessly. with
out shifting responsibility"
Lecky Active Man.
Mr.. Robert Lecky said this was the
first time he had appeared before the
people in his own behalf although he
had been more or less active in pub
lie affairs for quarter Of century.
He pointed with pride to his record
as a member OF that most efficient
bcdy, the Board of Fire Commission
ers, OF which body he had been
member for fourteen years. With this
record. he said, there is every reason
to believe he would prove Il capable
Mavor.
"Richmond IL in better standing
than any other city OF it's Glass; said
Nh Lecky. IT'S charter and the con-
duct of its affairs have shown to the
world that there Is little necessity Of
a change OF the present form OF gov
errment. | have been called stand
latter. I see no reason for change
in The form of government. so long
az the present form receives proper
t,ttention. / feel conscious of the re-
sronsihility of such a position, and can
hut say that if chosen next Tuesday
: shall exert myself to give TO you
a most faithful and honest administra-
ton"
Hobson Draws Applause.
Mr.. Graham b. Hobson was the first
Administrative Board candidate who
rise pended to the call
He said he felt he could he of ser
vice in the office. because of his long
experience in public mattcrs-~as NOM
Der OF City Council and the Legisla-
ture. lie caused great applause in
his reference to the recent dismissal OF
q number of men frop the Water De
partment, when he said If he had been
member of that body nothing OF that
sort could have occurred.
~ any man ever came to me with
a list of names of employees of any
department. of the government. asking
that they be discharged, and aons
them a number of men who had sp mt
the est part Of their lives in the ser
Vice Of the city, | would turn him
down ! would deem 1t an outrage,
and would do all l could to have such
men put on the pension list, Not
It private corporation would think or
dob such thing.
"The board would he no one-man
board If were a member of II. |
wouldn't let any one man on that
beard run It, And II elected TO the
hoard next week. / Will see that those
men who were discharged get back, or
wltl resign myself. Some one in the
Administrative Board should have
had nerve enough to have stopped
g. 40 man could come TO me 10 have
an tmploye discharged for political
reasons. / don't say It has been done.
Lut Il won't happen If am elected
Blake ON Cheap Gas.
MI Blake delivered his usual at
tractiye and entertaining speech lie
asked the voters to keep the othef
two candidates ia their present posi-
Sons. for the good of the service. an-'
elect him 10 the vacancy on the board
lie said he would not ask for thor
votes. II he ala not believe himself the
moxt proficient and successful business
man Of the three.
If YOU elect me, and keen Mr..
Knowles where ne is" said MIR. Blake,
Il win try to have his salary raised,
anf will promise that within five years
YOU will he getting 60-cent gas
heve been in City Council, and have
been In business IN Richmond for
mary years and am satisfied ] can
transact the business which might
come before the Administrative Board
as well AZ any man on the board or
aow running for the vacancy.
He said II elected next Tuesday ne
would not go into office for the pur-