The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-03
JUDGE BUFORD's TESTIMONY Be
FORE THE COMMITTEE.

The statement made by Delegate Buford,
of Brunswick county, before the House
Committee on Privileges and Elections on
Thursday which we published yesterday
ought to be read and pondered on by
every citizen Of Virginia. 1t dlscloses in
detail the working of our present election
laws in his county and the Times knows
enough to know that the same conditions
exist In very many others, If not in all
of the other negro counties. The Times
VIII itself make a disclosure within a few
days, perhaps tomorrow, which will be
striking.
il is sickening 10 read Judge Buford's
statements. Judges of elections openly
holding themselves up to the highest bid
der agreeing To give the election 10 the
l'crson who paid them most. Ignorant
ard corrupt men. white ami black, ap-
pointed judges of elections. and the cleo
toral boards refusing to remove them after
having their characters demonstrated to
them! Cheating and ballot-box stuiiing
taking place right before the eyes of the
|N'c- VI eitNbtOiS anu III cbiit liiStilttS,
actually conducted by them. Such details
ere TOO horrible ana sckening to be dwelt
ON. They have already corrupted large
body Of Virginans-they will corrupt all
unless an end is put to them.
The reader must have been struck, in
reading Judge Buford's statement. with
the number OF negro judges OF elections
In his county. This is the place where the
nasty part Of the work is got in. There
are three judges of elections at each pre-
cinct. and the law directs the electoral
board to appoint them from opposing po-
litical parties. Pretending to comply with
the law the electoral boards appoint an
ignorant. venal negro as the Republican
judge. But he is always nothing but "A
stool pigeon. He is really owned by one
of the white Democratic judges and he
readily does all the dirty work of the
business under the command OF his white
owner. This IS the place at which the
rascality Is effected. Instead of appoint
Ing "a respectable Republican as that par
TVS Judge. they invariably appoint dis
reputable negro who viii aid his white ac-
completes TO perpctratc their crimes.
Time and again we have pointed out TO
the Legislature that this is the necessary
and inevitable effect OF the system that
the Anderson Mccormick law provides
for. The election officers and the cleo
tions arc under the absolute dominion OF
the electoral boards Of the counties. all
the members OF which belong TO the Dem
ocratic party, and these hold their meet
ings in secret. keep no records unless they
choose to do so. and are accountable TO |
no one. and there is no appeal from any
action they may take. The members OF |
the electoral board are elected by the |
Legislature. and. whoever knows anything |
at all about elections by the Legislature |
knows that when IL elects county's /
officers 1t allows the members Of the Leg
officers. IL there is a member from a
county who has been elected by fraudu-
lent practices. he will, OF course, recon-
mend as members of the electoral board,
corrupt men. who will continue fraudulent
practices In his county. In this way a
corrupt electoral board becomes a self per-
petuatins body. Once In. It remains al
ways In. we may make any amendments
OF the law that can be suggested but as
long ns the elections are under the con-
troll Of partisans. all belonging to the
lsms party ana taking their proceedings