Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-16
THE DEMOCRATIC PRIM AR Z
TO-DAY

The Democrats who are chosen at the
Primary polls to-day will be those who will
constitute the city government for the next
two years. At the regular election next
Thursday the usual independent" candi-
dates will be on hand, but their candidacy
will amount to nothing; it is to-day that
the city government will be chosen. In
view of this fact it becomes the duty of
every Democrat to 60 to the polls and see
to it that our city has good government.
There is not the slightest ground to doubt
that the election will be SO conducted as
to insure full, free and fair expression
of the opinion of every Democrat in Staun-
ton through his ballot. The City Commit
tee, which was chosen by the largest pri-
mary meeting that ever assembled IN
stanton, is composed of gentlemen
whose fairness, from it's Chairman, Major
&C. Elder, who, by The bye, we hope
will be put in the Council Notwithstanding
his protest, on through all its members to
its popular Secretary, Jos. B. Woodward,
ESQ. is undoubted. That committee is
composed of gentlemen against whom the
chronic cry of ''rings" and 'cliques" will
be used in vain, and who have always COM
manded the confidence of the whole COM
munity.
The city of Staunton has had under
Democratic rule a quiet, orderly and
economical government. Its credit stands
above par its finances which for several
years past have been chiefly managed by
the successful Chairmen of its Finance
Committee, Messrs. Isaac Witt and Robt.
W. Burke, have been so guarded as to give
the city an enviable standing among COM
munities of its size; under its Democrat
ic Mayors for several years past, Capt. W.
l.. Balthis and J. A. Cochran, Esq, there
has been the minimum of disorder and the
maximum of penalties for violation OF
law: it's taxation has been as low as any.
and much lower than many other cities IN
the State its City Council has been eau
tious, economical and we'll posted on the
public wants The peoples money has not
in a single instance been foolishly, extra
vagantly or fraudulently made way with
by any of the city officers, and while the
habit of having honest officers may make
this last statement appear supe1f1uous, yet
to journalist who daily reads the innumer-
able regulations of officials in other cities
it may we'll seem something for our own
to boast Of With such record the Dem
ocrats of the city should have party pride
enough. as well as self-interest enough to
turn out in full force and select msn who
will continue the excellent government
which has characterized our past. Say
what you will, in the end the virtues and
faults Of city containing Democratic
majority are charged to that party. No
one holds Republicans and Independents
responsible for the government OF
Democratic city tie first, because they
are in minority, and the second, because
their only hope OF success is in a Coali-
ton.
But our city election besides the practi-
cal and near home interest in good local
government, is also important in view of
our State politics. This is the last cleo
tion here before the people are called on
to vote for President of the United States.
We all know how important it is for US in
Virginia that, however other States go.
this State shall 60 Democratic. 1t has
hardly been four months since the people
of this State were in state of political
bondage to William Malone. 1t is hard
ly to be doubted if bis party had carried
the last State election, that laws would
have been passed which would have taken
ont of the hands Of the Democrats nearly
if not all the power in their own city gov
ernments. Free as we are to day, de-
feat in the State next fall would be step
ping stone in Mahone's way back to pow
ers. Aud if that path is eyer made clear
to him again, the evil days of the last four
years, and verse will be upon us again.
What effect can little local election ill
: Staunton have On such crisis you askT
The effect Of turning the scale, We an
swer. What effect does close, compact.
united political organization ever have.
but to strengthen the party that main
tains it? The majority in a State may
turn Oh haEdful CT ballots. Does it be-
come any Democratic city to fritter away
its strength by divisions, SO that on the day
of struggle it cannot get it's forces in line.
The local election is the squad drill; is
any army able to make field movements
that has not undergone the squad drill ?
1t is inevitable in all parties that disaL-
pointed men in them should raise the cry
ali. A nil or n1i 10
/ party of men who, by combining, have
managed to get control of the party ma
chnery and are running it either in tt cir
pwn interest, that of some favorite. CT to
defeat some particular person. Is any one
prepared to bring this charge against
Maj. Elder and the gentlemen associated
with him on the city committee. If so, we
should be glad to see the proof of it. No
airer committee, nor one that has more
esolutely and honestly set to work to give
he Democratic party free and untram-
led opportunity to express their choice
6ithin the party organization, was ever
leetedin Stanton. But this is an illu-
ion that seems to seize upon the brain of
ome who cannot see the way clear to a
hajority Of their party. AS soon as man
friVes at the conclusion that he cannot
in in his own party, he sees rings and
iques which have made his success i'm
pssibIe. If he is a Republican he sees
be People in the Democracy, and if he is
Democrat he sees the People in the Re-
lblicans with their ready made political
achinery of the Revenue Department.
fact, the People are anywhere outside
the party that won't nominate him. AS
his own party, 1t at once becomes a
stem of rings, while the other party is
e People IN all their purity and strength.
Let every Democrat in the city attend