The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-11


Mr. Editor: Your gallant and patriotic
fight against fraud is approved and wei
coined by the masses. and the result OF
| your warfare is dreaded by those who reaI
| the wicked harvest OF that fraud. These
reapers have hitherto paliiated one class
by portraying the evils of negro-rule, anC
driven off another class by bullying de-
nunciation. Their present dread produced
by the sledge-hammer blows of reason
and justice recently dealt boy yourself and
others is abundantly shown by their sud
den change Of front. Now they make
insidious denials. In the place Of fulsome
threats they fall back on subterfuge and
fallacy.
newspaper published near you printed
the other day list Of the electoral boards
of the State. and asked that some one
point out the men on that list capable of
fraud. If you publish list Of the judges
OF this State, and ask who Of them is
capable Of fraud. would the friends Of
fraudulent elections favor abolishing all
the restrictions In reference TO the pro-
ccedings Of these judges as Safeguards
to the public? If the judges are required
to transact the peoples business In the
daylight at public places at stated times
then why not require the same Of these
boardsf If the courts are required to
business at some place designated easily
accessible to the public. then why not
require the same OF these boards. The
boards of supervisors and the town and
city councils are composed OF gentlemen
not much inferior 20 those who constitute
these electoral boards, and they are re-
quired 10 furnish the public information.
IL has been seen fit by all parties. and
at all times TO thus furnish safeguards
10 the public against temptation OF the
public servant, and for a time TO which
the memory Of man runneth not TO the
contrary, no voice. except the voice Of
fraud, has been raised against these sal
utary restrictions. Wherever human
agency is employed for the public they
have been found necessary.
Wherever and whenever these safe
guards have been neglected, tyranny and
fraud have followed as the night the day.
The only restraint imposed on the cleo
toral boards for a wilfu violation Of law
there is punishment by fine which might
consume one half the bride received for
the wilful violation Of law.
Let these electoral boards be required TO
hold their meetings at the court-houses.
let the clerks of the courts be ex-ofiicio
clerks OF the boards. let all special meet
ings be on calls duly advertised. let the
clerk keep the records I'm his Office for
the inspection of the public. just as other
public records, let any citizen on payment
of the usual fees have copies. require
these boards 10 consult and examine neti-
tions of citizens and require them TO state
the reasons why the prayers OF such no
titions are rejected. allow an appeal from
the election Of judges OF elections TO tho |
county court, or TO the board of slIpervis- |
Crs. If the work of preventing frauds m
elections is too trivial n matter for the |
of Il county court.
The lack OF compulsory publicity in the |
of the electoral boards ,s = |
prominent defect and vice in the Andcr- |
on-McCormack election law 1t is hardly |
10 be expected that the present or any one |
Legislature will reform the election laws |
as they should be. but / ask what could |
induce any member Of the Legislature a.
refuse 10 turn the LIGHT on the nroceed.
ngs or these boards? IT is well known
nat thousands Of honest men are com
blaming OF frauds practiced at tho eloc.
IONS. Charges OF fraud are coming IRON,
very quarter. Under these circumstances
o refuse TO turn on the light is 10 con-
css guilt.
Turn on the light. and II the complaints
re not founded in fact. that light win
indicate the law and expose the rom.
lainant. Under such circumstances IN
rivate matters the individual who ner.
listed In keeping his cover on his back
'ouia De oissfaced. CITIZEN.