The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-01
TALKING ELECTION LAW
JUDGE BUFOKD's AMENDMESIS BE-
FOKE THE LkGiSLAIUKE.
The Matter Postponed Until io-Dny-Ihs
Richmosd Northern kai,. Dad Bill DIS.
cu.sed-s.cond House session.

The first debate during the afternoon
session OF the House was causeu
wnen Mr. Brugh called up HOUSE
Bin No. 3H. providing Tor the
purchase ana Distribution OF Hursts IuiuS
and Manual. Several members asked 10
pass the bill by, and MIR. Moon stated
some OF the counties mad purchased
Mayo's Guide, as revised by Messrs. Flour
noy and BROW, and ne, therefore, offered
as an amendment that the State purchase
Hursts Guide for all counties.
After some discussion the previous ques-
ton was ordered. The amendment offered
by MIR. Moon was adopted by vote OF
| 80 10 "a, and the bill was ordered TO its
engrossment and third reading.
Another discussion arose while the bill
was upon its passage.
The bill was finally rejected by tie
vote of A. to 40.
Another hitch in the grinding out OF
new laws was caused when Mr.. Bryant
called up House Bill no. 526, which in
tends to grant a charter to the Richmond
and Northern Railroad Company. MT.
Mason warmly advocated the passage OF
the BILL and stated that II was so guarded
as not TO interfere with the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad.
Mr. Pitcher seriously opposed the meas
ure. which, he said. was only intended 10
revive the charter Of an old company
which had run into debt from 100000 TO
$4,000, and now wanted TO use the new
charter 10 dodge its old Indebtedness.
Mr. Bryant, the patron of the bill, stated
that, In his opinion, the same parties
had been to see the gentleman from Eau
quier who had endeavored TO induce the
members Of Richmond TO fight the bill.
The owners of the old charter TO whom
Mr. Pitcher had referred were anxious
to sell their franchise. and had offered
TO do so for the sum OF 5000.
Mr.. Crump offered as an amendment
that the new company should not acquire
the tunnel which had been in part con-
structed by the Richmond and Chesa-
peake Railroad Company. nor right
therein without the consent Of the City
Council OF the city Of Richmond. The
amendment was agreed 10. and the bill
was then ordered TO its engrossment and
third reading and subsequently passed
Eir,t Lw
A flre-brand was thrown into the peace
full camp OF the Democratic legislators
when Judge Buford called up his bill
amending and re-enacting section 12S OF
the Code of Virginia. in relation to the
closing Of the polls and the canvass OF
the votes.
Colonel Gibson explained the provisions
Of the bill. which. he said. provided that
the ballot-boxes should remain in view Of
the voters during election day. and that
after the closing of the poles the ballots
be certified i'm the presence Of the repre-
sentatives of both parties as selected by
the judges of elections. If these amend
ments were voted down new ground would
be given TO the false charges made here
tofore against the Democratic party that
It was opposed TO fair elections. How
ever, he thought the General Assembly OF
this State was demanding fair elections
and if the members did not intend 10 be
honest in that respect they were at least
bound TO appear So
Mr. Campbell. of Amherst. moved to
pass the bill by. but his motion was lost
by vote of 81 10 50.
Colonel Boylin. of Isle Of Wight. moved
10 send the bill back 10 the committee.
He called attention 10 the fact that the
session was almost ended, and that il was
OF the highest Importance not TO occupy
the remainder Of the time Of the House
with the discussion OF = bill whi,h in
tended to make a radical innovation IN
the existing election laws r. was true
that the bill had been considered in the
committee. but if IT had been thought at
the time that the bill would be reported
in its present shape. a good many persons
would have appeared and requested that
this be not done. He was well satisfied
with the working OF the AndersOn-Mc- |
Cormick BILL and he felt satisfied that no
law could be framed by any man that
would prevent fraud entirely. He was
very willing TO have the ballot box ex-
posed to the view OF the voters on cleo
ton day, and he thought that this was
required under the present law. lie in
sisted. however. that the requirement Of
admitting frinds Of political candidates
into the place where the ballots were TO
be counted was not In the interest OF
fair count. If this was done, two men
would be admitted who were not bound |
by the sanctty of an oath.
'lizhs b ia g-rous.
II had been charged that judges OF |
elections had committed fraud. and If |
this was so, il would be certainly a very |
dangerous experiment to admit the po- |
litical friends of candidates, who. by some |
trick of legerdemain. could change the |
result. and who would have every in |
centive to fraud. At present outsiders |
were only admitted after the number Of |
ballots cast in the box was verified from |
the pol-book and he did not think that |
1t was right to admit them any sooner
He protested against the consideration |
OF u Dill WHICH ildu tplllt lIyll SDillt |
unfriendy quarters. He protested against |
Ii In the name OF the people from his
section of the State II any fraud was
TO be eliminated. it should be done By |
some measure introduced by 4 Democratic
member and not 10y an outsider.
Colonel Gibson, who was next reccg-
nized by the Speaker. gave way 10 the
patron Of the bill Judge Buford, OF Bruins
wick, who said:
The gentleman from Isle Of Wight has
seen fit 10 characterize the source from
which this bill comes as one unfriendly
to the Democratic party. | hurl back |
the imputation. and say that l am here
as the representative OF as good. as re-
spectacle. and as numerous a Democratic
constituency as the gentleman who
arrogates to himself the right to criti-
cize my Democracy and TO constitute
himself the mouthpiece Of the Demo
cratic party 1 have been worker in
the Democratic cause since my earliest
manhood, long before the honoro BILE gen.
tleman who assails my Democracy had
arrived at mans estate. | have never yet
cast a vote against my party. On the con-
trary, have al all times and on all oc-
casions devoted my best enereits and
whatever of talent / hoya rocc,Sc.d "a !