Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-09
Be on your Guard-DOn't Swap Votes
Don't Split the Ticket.

One of the main devices that the Coali-
tionists rely upon to cheat the Democrats
of this county s.the trading of votes. They
know that if they can get the Democrats to
trade votes with them that they will gain in
each case two votes for one of their candi-
dates; for they get one for their candidate,
and one taken from the Democratic candi-
date, which is equivalent to giving their
candidate two votes They expect to take
advantage in this way of the thoughtless-
ness of Democrats, for the proposition may
at first seem fair to those who have never
considered it, and such may consent, in
spirit of accommodation, to agree to make
the trade; but if they will think moment,
they will see its practical operation, and
learn that the real effect would be to cheat
the Democrats out of two votes, for it
would add one to the Coalition candidate
and take one from the Democratic candi-
date. If the same number of votes were
traded for and against each of the candi-
dates of both parties, the result would not
be changed; but if traded for and against
only one of each party, the result would
be, as we have above stated, to cheat the
Democrats out of two votes in each trade,
for it would add one vote to the Coalition
candidate in whose behalf the exchange
was made, and take one from one of the
Democratic candidates.
To illustrate: Suppose a Coalitionist
should propose to a Democrat, that he
would vote for Echols if the Democrat
would vote for Fulcher, and that the DEM
ocrat would agree to do so, then the result
would be, that Fulcher would gain one vote
and Opie would lose one vote, which is
equivalent to giving two votes to Fulcher,
or taking two votes from Opie.
If five hundred such trades were made,
then, as between Fulcher and Opie, Full
cher would have the advantage of one
thousand votes in the count, and these one
thousand votes would be the result of the
thoughtless conduct of five hundred Dem
ocrats.
Now, see how honest, unsuSpecting Dem
ocrats may be cheated by willy and IN
scrupulous Coalitionists. A Democrat
thoughtlessly agrees to the trade Coali-
zionist proposes, and never suspects that
the Coalitionist has made the same trade
with others, when, in fact, he may have
done so with many. Suppose that the
number were twenty, then the Coalitionst
by giving one vote for a Democratic candi
date who does not need his vote to secure
his election, would be gaining what is
equivalent to forty votes for Coalitionist
candidate Now, suppose that only one
Coalitionist at each of the thirty precinct
in the city and county should thus trade
with twenty Democrats, then these thirty
Coalitionists would gain what is equivalent
to one thousand two hundred votes for thei1
candidate.
This shows how the Democrats may bt
cheated by the game which the Coalition
lists are now playing, if they be so foolish
Or thoughtless as to trade at all.
1t is not only impolitic to trade, but it is
wrong in principle. 1t should be borne il
mind, also, that every Democratic vote
thus cast will be claimed after the election
us two Republican votes, for it will count
two against the Democratsc party in the
popular vote of the State.
We believe that the Coalitionists are en-
deaving to cheat the Democrats in the
manner we have mentioned. They seem tt
be willing to wrong one of their candidate:
to advance the other-willing to sacrifice
Hamilton to increase the vote for Fulcher
IF they wanted fair vote, why would
they want to trade at all The very fact
that they propose to trade is evidence that
they are seeking an advantage, for men dc
not trade unless they expect to make some
thing by it. The Democrats want "free
vote and a fair couDt," and ''fair vote
and an honest count, and should not trade
at all.
We would suggest to the Democrats,
when the Coalitionists propose to vote foI
Echols, if they will vote for Fplcher, tc
reply, that they will vote for Hamilton, il
the Coalitionists will vote for Opie
We venture to say the Coalitionists will
not agree to that exchange, and we would
advise the Democrats not to agree to any
other if they consent to tr de at ALL but
there should be no trading, for it cannot be
done without doing injustice to the candi
dates, and without violation of principle
on the part of the voters.
Beware of Coalition jockeys and make
40 trades. The only honest and fair way
is for every Democrat to vote the Demo
cratic ticket straight. That will be Dem
ocratic vote and will count as SUCH DOM
scratch or split the ticket
Mla, 1riIi nntn fnr fLn CnnIifin,, -E1nnhi.