The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-29
A Aeelird iir orm.

Editor Times: / have read with Interest
the several articles I'm the Times anent
| the recent vote I'm Virginia. And In cast
| ing about for a reason for the surprls-
ing falling of In the Democratic vote, !
/ am sure YOU are on the right scent when
yoI attribute 1t TO a general disgust on
! the part Of the people at machine poll
| tics
| The virtual absence Of organized oppo-
| sition has had the result to breed lot
| of small politicians, who have OBJ
| tanned virtual control OF the Democratic
party Of the state, and whose sole idea
! OF political ethics consists I'm making
something out Of It for themselves. There
has never been a more open and venial
illustration Of the boss methods than was
exhibited I'm the last election i'm Viz
ginia 1t was apparent in Washington
county, and in many other parts Of the
Southwest-and / am reliably Informed,
in Richmond too, that there was almost
no money spent on the State ticket, but
every effort was bent to securing the
election of certain candidates TO the Leg
islature 1t has been charged. and ] 10
not hesitate to express my opinion that
il will not be denied, that a large per-
centage Of the money expended was IN
the interest of certain candidates for the
United States Senate. Even the money
sent out by the state Committee for le-
Ultimate expenses of the campaign was,
in several instances. expended in openly
buying negro votes for the Legislative
candidates
These are grave charges. They are
such charges as that the very mention
OF them-the suggestion Of such n thing
might well bring the blush Of shame TO
the cheek Of every true Virginian. They
show to what a sad plight the party has
suffered itself to be put, by allowing
bands Of shameless and open place-hunt-
ers to assume control Of affairs.
Now. Mr.. Editor it is time for the
people to call halt on this crowd. The
Democratic party cannot hope to live
with such a load as this TO carry. The
people are fully aroused i'm the matter.
and just as surely as another canvass IS
undertaken In Virginia along such lines
as the last one Travelled. just so surely
will the party undertaking it go down
in inglorious disaster and defeat. And it
deserves it,
These self-constituted leaders" must be
summarily ousted from the positions they
have usurped. Machine methods I'm the
primaries. a cut-and-dried programme at
the nominating convention, and open
and shameless purchase Of voters at the
polls must cease. If the rings. which in
many places in the State controlled the
last election, and assumed the entire
direction Of the party machinery are not
promptly and summarily elected from the
control Of the party affairs. the slight
detection, noted in the last election, will
be such A mighty landslide in the next,
that the party and its rings will be buried
completely out of sight.
/ am not politician, Mr.. Editor. and
am not seeking nor expecting any Office.
am Democrat, and wish 10 see my par
~ succeed, but ! do not wish 10 see It
succeed by any such methods as those IN
dlcated above. And IL is better that the
reform be begun now and carried on with
in the party. than to be forced TO IL by an
ignOminous defeat SOUTHW EST.