Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-26
The Norfolk Election.

Whatever collateral issues may have
been raised In the Norfolk election, II is
clear that the vote OF the people there
on Thursday was IL vote of want OF con-
fidence in the city government
1t was TO accomplish the overthrow OF
"the ring rather than 10 advance the
cause of the Prohibitionists that numbers
Of influential Democrats Joined the reform
movement and made open war upon the
partys nominees. Indeed. the Prohibi-
tionists undertook the campaign "in the
interests of good government only, and
lent their banner 10 this service Until the
organization was strong enough to raise
the standard of "Citizens Reform"
In some respects IL was a move
ment akin to that which Richmonders re-
collect under the name OF "the reform
movement" here. Beyond the fact that
one OF the campaign cries at Norfolk was
that the saloons were well known to
carry on their business on sunday with
out interference from the police, there
was very little prohibltionism in the fight.
The regular Democratic organization
was badly defeated. In this result We
suppose the Republicans and Prohibition
lists aided very materially, but we imagine
that 1t would have been impossible Of &C
complishment had not Il large number OF
prominent Democrats openly espoused the
cause of the reformers.
When the Dispatch saw that nearly all
Of the newspaper influence OF Norfolk
was against tina existing city government
1t struck us that that government was in
bad way. This led US to fear that the
party and city governments there had not
been as deferentisi to public opinion as
they ought 90 have been. This is one of
the faults that We find with New York >
Tammany Hall. 1t is a great and useful
organization. and under 1t New York has
prospered much, and the South owes 1t a
debt Of gratitude. but IT Is not always as
respectful TO public opinion as 1t ought to
be. and IL il does not alter its course it
will some day find that IL has been repu-
dated by the masses OF the people.
However, this is all by the way. We
feel nl-prepared to apporuon blame or to
venture advice as to the situation at
Norfolk, and therefore shall do nothing OF
the kind; but we must express the hope
that after soma of the irritation caused by
this contest has passed away steps Will
be taken 10 reunite our party there in an
organization which will command the re-
spect and support OF all the Democrats
OF that city. The Democratic party OF
Richmond was never more OF a unit than
II Is now, yet not many years ago the
reformers swept the city by an enormous
majority.
They had their day and did some good
and some bad work. We had TO bide our
time and labor in the interests Of recon-
ctliaton. This came about at last
Our experience in this matter was not
acquired without cost, and we hold IL as
party asset valuable for reference, The
Norfolkonians will doubtless work out
their salvation in due time. Meanwhile
reform" will be the order OF the day.
Al this moment. when the smoke of bat
Tie has not cleared away that time no
doubt seems distant. but II may not be
%, and IL may he FASTENED by prudence
on the part Of the victors and cheerful
adolescence In the results Of the cleo
ton on the part Of the vanquished.