Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-06-05
j. B. BEVERLY
SUPPORTS BYRD
Large Farmer Behind Candidacy of
Winchester Man

Senator j. Brad. Beverley, of Fau-
quier County. one of the largest
farmers of Virginia, and who has
always taken an active interest in
farming organizations throughout
the state, and was the leader of the
farm bloc" in the Legislature, has
written the following letter of en-
dorsement of the candidacy of Harry
F. Byrd for governor:
The Plains, Va, May %, 1925.
Editor of the Times-D Dispatch:
Sir: While it has been my rule
to remain uncommitted to any GER
tain candidate, at least until 1.-THE
entries are closed yet l am receiv-
ing so many inquiries requiring cor
respondence that l shall now an
nounce my choice, and briefly, my
reasons for my preference. /.
During my short career in the
State Senate was, of course, quite
closely associated with Senators
Byrd and Mapp. serving on several
committees with them Indeed l
think my assignment to the Finance
Committee was due to the recon-
mendation of these two gentlemen
and one other) and enjoying
throughout the three sessions their
courteous and unvarying friendship.
In 1922 these two gentlemen and
myself were members of FIVE stand
ing committees-not, however, all on
the same committees. | also came
to know Mr.. Moore. State Auditor.
quite well and to respect him most
highly. But for these facts my choice
Z between them would probably be of
little interest to the public.
Advices from all directions and
sources indicate that Mr.. Moore's
supporters are in too small a per-
centage to make it necessary to con-
slider him in the equation The dis
cussions and decisions of the people
seem to begin with and end with
Mapp and Byrd.
| have decided to support Harry
Byrd, and my reasons are as follows:
There are but three important
matters of state policy upon which
these two gentlemen seem to differ:
financing the construction of state
highways; equalization of taxation;
and the holding of constitutional
convention
l. No reminder is needed that
Senator Byrd and l fought together
in the Senate Chamber, through the
press, and on the stump against the
bond issue for road building Sena-
tor Mapp was on the other side.
2. When l was but "a years old,
l introduced in the old Virginia State
Farmers Assembly resolution re-
questing the General Assembly to
enact legislation providing for the
equalization of taxation. Senator
Heaton, representing Loudoun and
Fauquier, asked that he might form
ulate and introduce the bill. A COM
panion bill was introduced in the
House by the Hon. Lit Macon of Al
bemarle. Some similar measure has
been introduced in well nigh every
Legislature since then l introduced
bill for this purpose (Sen. B. 113)
during the session of 1922. 1t pro-
vided for State Tax Commission.
with headquarters in Richmond. SEN
ator Byrd objects to this on the
grounds of Capitalization and more
high-salaried officers. l think he is
right, and consider his plan. which
has been widely published, much bet
ter.
3. On February %, 1920. Senator
James Cannon, of Richmond, intro
duced measure providing for a ref
erendum on the holding of a Con-
stitutional Convention. In a short
speech | opposed this measure. and
the Times-Dispatch editorially on the
Gath concurred in my opposition and
commended my speech. / have not
changed in this position, and hence.
again, on this point am in accord
with Senator Byrd.
All three of our candidates are
prohibitionists, so on that issue ''hon-
ors are easy"
All three, it is said, have aligned
themselves in the past with the ina
chine" or Organization. If so.
here again then "honors are easy. =
l have been in politics to a small
extent, but never a politician. hence
am not posted upon the personnel of
the factions. For all l know Harry
Byrd may be right at the head of
the machine" and running it; but
from all / have seen of the man ri
viii bet that the machine will not
run Harry Byrd
Furthermore, | consider him as
equalling, if not surprising in abil-
ity, any man now prominent in pub-
lie life in Virginia.
]. BRAD. BEVERLEY.