The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-19
A DIsTiN6Uf~HFD NIRGfNIAN TO
yTRGJSTASS

Weyrint this morning in another column
a letter signed Y. discussing the manner
IN which United States senators should
he elected. This letter is from the pen
81 one Of the most distinguished sons Of
Virginia now living, who Is also one OF
,he most patriotic sons che has ever had.
II ought 20 be read and pondered on
by al Virginians as a word OF advice
from one % their most trusted friends.
Our correspondent is right In saying
that what took place last fall Is OF not
nearly so much importance as how 70
creyent anything like it ever happening
In virginia again. The state Is INUNDATED
and disgraced by Il, Dut what Is wanted IS
a clear and plain statement TO the peo-
ME OF Virginia Of just how II was ac-
connlished In order that such measures
NAV be taken that Will make 1t impoSsl-
bic TIA, there can ever again be anything
like that In Virginia.
Our CORRESPONDENT has exactly described
the condition OF affairs that makes such
n thing possible. whom he points out how
results are secured In the caucus. Sixty
one constitute majority Of the caucus.
Smear obligation tar" on siXty-one IN
dividuals. and the whole State OF Nir-
ginla is spancened. 1t does not take much
Of this obligation tar" when deity
smeared by a skilled smearer, TO SUCK
sixty-one individuals together II our IN
formation Is correct, about 800 10 $5vo
worth OF tar" was the average amount
necessary for each case last fail, Whlch
shows that, according 10 the course OF
things as they have been, less than
go 900 will buy up the controlling power
81 the whole State Of Virginia. In point
~ fact il takes far less. and we be-
lieye that the job Of last fall was ac-
conplished for less than $4,000. The
thing is managed In this way a move
,s made in one of the negro counties,
where cheating in elections Is the RUE
The move Is 10 secure the nomination OF
the desired tool as the Democratic can
dtdate for the Legislature, for the elec-
ton thieves elect whoever is put forward
az the party's candidate. The struggle,
whatever Il may be. Is. therefore, In the
nomination OF candidates. Far less money
"a necessary TO control the nomination
than the election, If the fight had 10 be
made at that point. but the nominal
thieves do the rest. When. therefore. the
money is to be spent IN counties that do
their voting through the agency Of bal
lot-box suffers. the corrupter has a COM
paratively easy time
IL the work has not been got IN at
the nomination, then the result is Sc
cured thus: We viii suppose that a rail-
road has determined 10 take part in in
fiuencing the election of Legislature. 1t
puts the money IL is going to use in the
hands of one OF its tools. This man gives
a certain amount OF IL TO the individual
who has been nominated by the Demo-
cratic party for the Legislature. Now
this curious result has always followed in
such cases: The candidate becomes bound.
OF course by hooks of steel as soon as
ne receives the money. but he becomes
bound 10 the man who has given il TO
him. rather than to the railroad that
contributed II. and his vote after that in
the Legislature is what this man wants IT
be on every question that comes before
him The thing is AS simple as possible,
and as easy OF accomplishment as any
task can be, with comparatively little
money, when a people upon whom II is
TO be practiced are as wholly unsuspi-
cious Of IT as the people Of Virginia were
last year. ii will not be so easy here
after, but In order to secure ourselves
entirely against II We must absolutely
break up frauds In our elections. and
forbid any further use OF money in them.
We VIII have repetiiions OF last fairs
proceedings as long as We tolerate frauds
IN elections and use money in them.
Cut both these things up by the roots.
TX Congress amends the Constitution 90
as TO allow the people to elect their
senators by direc; vote. our correspond
ent wants to know what we suggest as
the best method OF procedure. Naturally.
In conformity with our custom In similar
cases. we would nominate senator's by a
convention. ~ We nominate our Cover