The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-07
MACHINE MrruopIN HrNRIco COUNTY

I,;.so common for defeated side to COM
~. - ,,,f,ir treatment. that any charge Of
this sort il necessarily taken WIN grams oi
ollowance but tho action OF the Henrico
| Comfy democratic Convention yesterday was
srob as 10 Justify temperate statement OF
some Of the proceedings. which resulted IN
,be election of twentv-one delegates TO the
stato Convention nominated by an avowed
advocate Of Senator Hill. but 1t IS gratifying
70 know that he has mistaken some Of his
men.
The county is divided into four districts.
| In each Of these districts there are three or
/ four precincts. each of which was entitled 10
/ send three delegates TO the convent on. OF
these, two precincts in Iuckahoe sem no dele
gates whatever. the notice OF the precinct
meeting having been put up on aaturday
night and the meeting called lor Monday 30
that the farmers in that community had
really no notices but there was a good attend
nnce in other precincts, and much IN
terest was taken in the result When tie
convention met yesterday. after permanent
organization had been obtained. and the Gre
dent ais of delegates had been reported upon,
Mr.. Solomon. tho sheriff of tho county and
an avowed Hill advocate. arose and nomi-
mated twenty-one delegates from list that
had previously been prepared, Of which. as
far a. appeared. majority of the delegates
present had no information whatever 10
was then moved by "a delegate from
precinct where some sixty voters had
taken part. and. as far ~ known.
were unanimously for Cleveland. that 1t
would be more in accord with fairness and
the established precedent in similar cases ia
this State. for the delegates from each dis
trct TO assemble in committees and propose
10 the convention the names Of men from
their respective districts who would represent
the wishes of their constituents. II required
some effort 20 prevent the chairman Mr. w.
II. Sands. also a supporter Of Hill, from pre-
venting any discussion in controyention ofthe
prepared slate. Finally. however. the temperof
the meeting being that vote should bo taken
upon this proposition. one was ordered IN which
the vote Of the delegates from each precinct
was given the weight of the number of Demo
cratic voters at such precinct. 1t was quite
apparent before the vote was announced that
those in favor of the proposition had carried
the day. and that the slate would be smashed.
but there seemed to be some confusion and
difficulty on the part OF the chairman in be-
ing satisfied that the addition of votes by the
secretary was correct and the meeting was
held in waiting for some time, while the sec
rotary revised and revised again and again
his additions. and in the mean
time the dreadful tidings having become
known, active steps were taken by the Hi
faction to induce delegate from precinct
voting several hundred. but who was out of
the meeting, being represented by an alter
nate. 10 come IN and change his vote from
yes to no. and this was finally accomplished.
The announcement was then promptly made
that the motion had been lost wheTeupOn the
original motion TO elect all twenty-one dele
gates, as previously prepared upon MI Solo
mons slate was again brought before the
meeting. A motion TO adjourn for thirty
minutes in order that delegates might have
an opportunity Of considering the slate was
first declared out of order aud finally voted
down. and the twenty-one delegates 10 the
State Convention were elected IN block.
Thus it Will be seen that among fellow
Democrats supposed to desire the best in
terests of their party, and to deal fairly with
each other the machine, by the change Of one
mans vote. practically stiles the voice of "a
large body of voters, and delegates are sent
TO represent precincts where there is hardly
single voter III favor of them.
1t is obvious that what is known as machine
politics is not confined TO the State Of New
York 1t is really and truly machine
method whereby practiced and artful poll
ticians adopt whatever steps arc necessary 10
carry out their own views, regardless OF the
wishes of Democratic voters who have a right
to be heard and who are expected 70 put
forth their best efforts to support and main
tain the machine This is yerNlatguing.