The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-27
Sharp Practices.


1t is about time the people of the county
were putting their feet down on the little
Court House ring that assumes to rule the
county in all political movements. The
manner in which the late Democratic Con-
vention was controlled ought to satisfy
them that they cannot get fair play except
by an independent and untrammeled action
at the ballot box. Messrs. skinner and
Hanger had both positively declined the
use of their names before the convention.
Others were induced to announce their
willingness to serve if nominated and
elected. Each township or district pre-
sented its favorite. 1t was soon apparent
to the old manipulators that this condition
mary sharp tricks. The first one was to
get declaration for the application of the
two-thirds rule. The next was to resolve
that only one candidate should be voted for
at a time. These resolutions were adopted
without the bulk of the delegates suspect
ing what the object was. 1t did not take
long, however, to open their eyes, but when
too late. The calculation was that with
these in force, neither of the township or
district candidates could be nom mated, for
each district would stand by its own candi-
date, and then, as a compromise. when
everybody had become tired and Disguised
with successive ballotings. the reserved town
candidates would be sprung upon the Con-
oJa Tod
like charm. Bowman, from South River,
Rush FROM Riverheads. Crawford from Mid
die River, Lightner from Pastures, Opie
from Beverley Manor, and Burke from
Stanton were put in nomination. Each
was expected to carry his district, on sue
cessive ballots, except Rush, who was not
i'll nomination at first. This was only
playing into the hands of the manipulators
The two thirds rule and the single candi-
date choice was in operation, and when the
inexperienced rural delegates finally dis
paired of getting their choice, then came
the time to press the names that the manip-
ulators had in reserve, and they did it sue
cessfully. They of course were introduced
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delegates saw way of relief from the cha
grin of defeat by concentrating upon the
new names and burying all of the original
candidates in common grave, And it was
done.
We have no doubt that Messrs. Skinner
and Hanger were sincere in their desire
not to be candidates, nor have we any idea
that they were parties to the sharp prac,
tices which secured their nominations. The
manpulators were opposed to all of the
county candidates, and they determ ined to
defeat them. Their adroit management of
the preliminary movements settled that
ryone who is at all acquainted with the
methods of political wlre- workers saw at a
glance what the two-thirds rule and voting.
for only one candidate at time meant,
and that was the nomination OF the gem
tlemen whom the manpulators held in re-
serve.
The game was very simple after it had
BET N played ont. but very few OF the dele
gates suspected it when they voted for the
two resolutions which brought about the
result. 1t is ever thus. The country peo-
pile unused as they are to this kind of strategy |
are generally the victims OF the sharp wits |
Of their town brothers, and the only way to
get even with them is to demonstrate at the /
ballot-box on election day. II there is in
dependence and courage, things can be
brought right there and every man placed
upon an equality, and there is no better
time for the. Incubation of lesson of this
kind than the present. II It is not done,
there will be no use for future conventions.
The ring might as well be requested to name
whom they want, and then the rural people
throw up their hats for them.