The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-28
The Norfolk Election

The Norfolk Election,
The result of the election in Norfolk on
the 2lst, was very significant. 1t contains
in it lesson that should not be over
looked. and indeed cannot be ignored. By
the mere force of power, the legally
elected delegates from that city had
been ousted of their seats, and after his
election the Senator was refused his rep
resentative authority, which the people
had delegated him to exercise. New cleo
ton districts were created and new reg
istration ordered by the Legislature, with
yiew,as it was claimed to get fair election
and expression Of the popular will, but
really for partizan purposes and as pre-
text to consummate the two-thirds power
Of the dominant party in the Legislature.
After all this political jugglery, the regis
tration. Showed majority of 81 colored
voters in the city, and a majority at the
ballot box for the Coalition. candidates for
the State. Senate..and Legislature of nearly
1000; and this, when, according to dis
patch to the Wing. from 300to 400 colored
voters were unable.to deposit their ballots
for want of time, occasioned by dilatory
tactics and in asking foolish questions, by
the Bourbons. The..result shows the great
wrong committed in practically refusing
representation in the. Legislature. to the
people of Norfolk, when important ques-
lions affecting every. portion of the Com
monwealth were being considered and de-
termined. which could. not have become
law, over the veto of the Governor, if the le-
gally elected representatives from the city
of Norfolk had been permitted to retain
the seats to which majority of the le-
gally qualified voters of the city had
elected them.
We do not wish to magnify the wrong
that Swas perpetrated in this instance
against the constituency of a Senata1lal
District, against the State, and against the
organic principle of free government, but
it seems to us that this and other revolu-
tionary acts of the Bourbon majority in
this Legislature, would, if taken to the
of that body. Whether such test is con-
templated or not we do not know, but if
there is any way to prepare case and
carry it to the courts it ought to be done
and done speedily. Never in the history
of this Commonwealth, nor of any other,
was there manifested such reckless disre-
gard of the rights of the people. the man
dates of statutory law, and the sanctities
of Constitution, as this Legislature has
been guilty of, that partizan ends might
be subserved and the law-making power
of the government prostituted to the me-
cesssities of a party. 1t is a condition Of
things which calls fol. the. serious consid-
GRAFTON Of every citizen ,of the State and
every department. of government, and de-
mands that every legitimate effort be put
forth to apply aremedy for grievances which
implicate the character Of the Common
wealth and Republican government itself.
The result in Norfolk, as well as that in
Cumberland sand buckingham, in the
election Of Mr.. Hubbard to fill an illegally
caused vacancy, indicate the temper of
the people and foreshadow rebuke, when
the opportunity is presented, that will not
be measured by party strength, but by the
reverence that is observed for the rights of
the people and the obligations of law. 1t
looks very much as though the Bourbons
despaired of ever again succeeding to
| power in Virginia. They have shown
such indefensible disregard of the duty it
imposes and the rights it implies, that
they could hardly expect ever in the future
to be entrusted with it's use. 1t is a sad
commentary on the revengeful and lawless
passions engendered by political antago-
nisms that such extreme and revolutionary
resorts should be invoked to serve the pur-
pose of party, and if they do not arouse
the people to the dangers that are thus
threatened and inspire them to an indig-
nant condemnation, we may well appre-
bend even more fearful and lawless con-
dition of things.