The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-11-15
The Election in Virginia.

it would be confession or de1oaIs LOT III
was confidently claimed that 1000 would
be the lowest figure to measure the sentl-
ment of the people on the tariff question.
But the fact is, Cleveland has not carried
Virginia, except by fraud. The result In
the 4th district in the PRESIDENTIAL contest
demonstrates that there was no fair ex-
preston of public sentiment. and that the
Republicans have been cheated out OF more
votes in that district than would be neces-
sary TO overcome the alleged Democratic
majority in the State. If, however. the
State over is taken. aid the systematic
plan adopted to dsfranchise and defIaud
few voters at each precinct Is considered,
it could be easily shown that Harrison and
Morton received much larger majority
than the assumed Democratic majority.
and that several of the Congressional dis
trcts reported for the Democratic candl-
dates, actually belong to the Republicans.
Not only were illegal Democrat ic votes
admitted, but legal Republican votes were
refused by the Commissioners of Election.
The Registrars refused to allow transfers
in violation of law. Money was used 10
bride and purchase votes. Threats OF
loss of employment were made to brighten
others, and by the use Of political ma
chinery, exclusively and universally under
the control of the Democratic party, many
were deprived of their votes and others
voted against their sentiments under du-
ress. Even the power with which some OF
the public school authorities are invested
was brought into exercise to lntlmidate
teachers to either make them vote
against their convictions or not vote at
all How far this succeeded we do not
XIX " but the attempt was made. an d i
is reasonable TO conclude that it WAS more
or less succs ssful. Estimating from what
we know. and taken INTO consideration the
condition in other localities where they
were more favorable for effective work OF
this kind, We have DOGa doubt in our mind
that the Democratic majority in the 10th
district is the fruit Of fIauds and cOrrup
ton. We believe if the test were made
| LDdI WIS CuulI UC HeSo ~ W AiNsA'>'
1t will be made or not We do not know. but
one thing we are certain Of ssand that Is 1t
ought 10 be made. The existing election
! laws were euacted for just such results.
They were framed for partiZan purposes
and are administered with partizan intent.
With the whole machinery. running
through every county and election PRECINCT
in the State, manipulated by partizans
aud engineered under partizan inspiration
| for partiZan ends. regardless OF the rights
OF others, it is natural and logical con-
clpsion that fairness and justice were ig-
nored and party ecessily consulted.
A party that could enact such All infa-
nous law as the Anderson Mccormick
legislation and place its operation exclu
sively in the hands of picked partiZans. is
capable of doing anything to retain power.
In State elections the Republicans are
powerless under it. In national cleo
tion they have an appeal to a Federal tri.
bunal, and as the next Congress will have
"a majority of Republicans, who will see
that full justice is done: that fraudulent
votes aud votes secured by illegal meanG,
of various grades, ARE eliminated, we believe
it to be duty to make the appeal to that
body and rebnke the methods and ways by
which the people were deprived Of their
rights,
1t is time that stop were being put to
what are substantially election frauds in
this State-that some forceful rebuke be
given to those who perpetrate the wrongs,
as well as those who are the beneficiarieS OF
pie of our government be INDICATED in the
enforcement of national law, as well as
political justice. 1t is due to the people,
it is due to the governments; it is due to a
sense of right and loyalty to our instiLu-
tions that the halls of Congress should be
pureed of every man who goes there with
a tainted title.
There is no mistaking the fact that Vir.
gina is Republican State, and hereafter
will so assert herself. With the assistance
that Republ Can national administration
can ltgitimately extend, the people will
throw off the dynasty that mas ridden into
power upon their necks, aid not upon
their arms, and has corrupted every spring
and source of authority to perpetuate its
rule, With united effort and closed col
umns the Republicans will succeed in the
next test of strength. and place the Old
Commonwealth in her II ue relation to the
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shaping our national destiny.