Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-13
states Senator. and was always sue
cessful In his campaigns for that high

y Tor the United States Senate. Ssna
an unexpired term OF about fifteen
months. To this unexpircd term Mar.
TN did not aspire. but he announced
nus CANDIDACY for tho fun term Of eis
eral Fitzhugh Lee. former Governo,
OF virginia and a nephew OF General
= Robert +. Lee. and General Eppa Hun
ton. who filled out Senator Barbour's
81 uneSpired term. At first the campaign
did not promise to be a warm one. Gen
eral Hunton had not developed much
strength.
Thought Lee Would Win in Walk.
General Lee was known as n pop
Q!ar idol. and it was generally pre-
dicted that ne would win in n walk.
Although Martin had aSsiduously but
quietly worked for the party for many
years. he always played his part in the
: wings OF the political stage. and he
was comparatively unknown 10 the
people at large. Many times during the
months that preceded the converting
of the General Assembly people would
pc heard 10 eXclaim; Who Is that
was working out his own campaign in
the same cheerful manner that he had
planned and executed campaigns in
behalf OF his party. When the Gen
eral Assembly met in December. 1893.
many of the Legislators had already
pledged themselves 10 The Scottsviile
afterwards. Much TO the surprise OF
thousands Of citizens of the State Mar
tin was elected. His election caused
much bitterness among the followers
the election did not represent the views
OF the people OF the state. and that
been elevated 10 an office beyond the
measure Of his capacity.
Many OF these men who took the
defeat OF Lee with such bitterness of
spirit in after years became the warm
est admirers and supporters of Sena-
Tor Martin. realizing that the General
Assembly had chosen u man who meas
ured well up 20 the high standard OF
The worlds greatest delibcrative body.
senator Martin entered the United
states Senate on March 1, 1895, at the
Hunton. Being man OF quiet ways
and unostentatious manner he did not
Tor time attract much attention be-
ing ovcrshadowed by the brilliant
senior senator. John w. Daniel. who
was one OF the greatest orators of this
or any other age.
WINS n "Business" Senator.
But surely If slowly Martins ability
People spoke OF him as a business
Senator. When delegation OF Vir-
Einians went TO Washington on public
the job" lie was prompt in answer
ing letters. and was known as "A Scna-
tor who could do things" His in
nuence in conmi ttec work was marked.
he never neglected the interests OF his
constituents. and many appropriations
for Virginia cities and sections we're
secured sec. through his efforts. lilo made
rev speeches. but fellow Senators soon
began TO seek his advice OH the uues-
tons OF the day.
In 1882 Senator Martin was opposed
Tor reelection by Governor j. IIoEc
ISler. The campaign was made only
indirectly before the people as the CT
Tort was to elect members of the
particular candidate. There was little
excitement during this campaign. and
senator Martin won rather easily.
The faction OF the party OF which
Martin was one OF the leaders received
a crushing blow in 1901, when its cam
didate. Claude a. Swanson. of pittsyi-
the Fifth District was defeated for
the governorship by Andrew Jackson
Montague. of Danville, who at tho time
was Attorney-General of Virginia
Ready for Fray In 1905.
n But Senator Martin rebulded the
was opposed by Governor Montague in
l9e5 he was ready for the fray This
race vas tor the votes in a popular pri-
mary. which was morally binding on
the Genera! Assembly The campaign
was 70 some extent complicated by the
TACT mat suoernatorial candidates we're
a; swanson, Joseph L. Willard and
William Hodges Mann were the as
plrants Tor the Eovernorship.
inc l9u3 campaign was a warm one
since Martins election over Fitzhueh
Lee 1t had been charged that he was
successiul because he could manipulate
members or the General Assembly II,
mad been said that If il ever came IN "A
vote OF the people that his weaknes.;
would be shown. He was pittcd against
man who but few wears beforr hn u
been able 10 defeat Martins faction
AND who was recognized as an able
speaker. The race was one OF the most
strenuous in Martins career. but he
won by majority OF about 10000
votes. IN this primary he received
every vote at ScottsvllIe. his home
preclnct; At ratification meeting held
at Chariottesviiie some time after tho
primary 4 delegation from Scottsville
appeared with Il banner. ON which was
inscribed: We gave him every vote in
Scottsvlilc, and we will do even better
next time" 1t was not explained how
they intended 10 do even better next
Holds Own In Debate.
The high point.jn the. 1906 campaisn
vas the Joint debate between Cover
h K5n MGontagne and Senator Martin in
,Sa Se0rse county. Montague Issued
friends declared that Martin would NOT
accept. as he knew too well the Gov
M ino h aedii' ;Dsd as public speaker.
y. speeches In the Senate owing TO the
TACT mat he was engaged in real work
ana this had given many the impress
test OF a joint debate
,R. To the surprise of even some of his
Wsuppoi'eFs Martin accepted Montague
lnVitat!on and there followed debate
+. OF the kind that Eirsinians cnjoy In
TINS debate Senator Martin showed tina I
While not an orator OF the Daniel tvne
On the hustings
IN THIS 1903 campaign Swanson wa,
dominated Governor over Willard and
Senator Martin again had opnos,,io,
IN i?ll, his opponent being William A,
Zones. kcpreseinativ in Congress from
Inc Flrs' District. Again Senator Mar
3ority or about $1,000. In this wear
swanson defeated Carter Glass for the
vacant snort term caused by the death
OF senator Daniel! Upon Senator Dan
ieis death Senator Martin became for
Virginia. ''o"'
beconhss Majority Leader.
When the Democrats under RI,
leadership of President Wilson had
swept the country and wrested the CON