Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-18
6UNDAY. ...... MARCH Is, 1894.
Ring Rule.

The Index-Appeal says there is no split
IN Petersburg In the sense OF an organ
tied and aggressive opposition Of Demo-
Gratis to the Democratic party, but that
cit Is not true that the Walton bill salts
ies those Democrats who wished the
election laws amended 50 as to trans
fer the voting power from the hands Oh
a ring 10 the hands of the people. where
IL properly belongs" '"Those Democrats
who wished our election laws amended
would have been better satisfied with
the law as 1t was. and legalized pri-
mary on a viva voce plan. This, at
least, would have ensured honesty among
Democrats: but 1t did not suit the ring
to have IL So
II Petersburg is afflicted with ring
we are sorry for It. We DO not say that 1t
IS: nor do We say that the Index-Ap-
peal says IL Is, but since ring Is men,
toned we cannot but express the hope
that the gallant Democrats of the Cock
ade City are exempt from such a curse
As a general thing. however. where
rings rule It is because the men Win
the largest stakes in the community are
too contemptuous OF ward politics 10
take any interest in them. Nine times
out of ten ring rule is caused or at
least contributed to by the very men
who denounce IL. -
Here In Richmond we are going TO nave
Democratic primary election on Aprh
2sth and we expect to see between e'"o
ana 5000 votes polled. Nearly all the
whites Of Rlchnoni Will participate IN
that election. II there Is any ring here
capable Of controlling such a great popu-
lar outpouring as that 1t must nave
genius for its general. Yet we may near
after the election is over that the ring
did this and the ring did that. Candidates
who fail of nomination for lack OF popu-
larity or for lack OF organizing powers are
too prone to charge their misfortunes upon
the ring. However, this Is somewhat
aside from the remarks of our Peters
burg contemporary.
We are sorry that the Walton bill fails
To satisfy every satisiiable person. III
vns not needed by Richmond; but not
withstanding the inconvenience and ex-
pense to which It subjects us. we shall
c,s,erfuliy submit to it because We are
told and do truly believe, that it VIII be
Of great benefit TO the people OF South
aide and Tidewater Virginia
AS 10 q viva voce primary in Peters
burg. 1t may be doubted If the Icgisla-
ture has the right TO make law to that
effect inaanuch as tho viva voce system
would seem to be opposed to the genius
AZ our UrderwooD Constitution; but me
subject could have been thoroughly dis
cussed and passed upon in both houses
had the Democrats OF the Cockade City
vent hlther a petition asking for pr1
r,.vv election law OF that character. 1t Is
however, In the power Of the oity Demo
cratic Coxkfhittee OF Petersburg, TO orde'
viva yoce primary without the assis
tasce Of q State law.
In Richmond the viva voce system has
w.-fs, tried more than once and is not yer,
,opular. Some Of the best people are op
,o.ed To Il. Merchants and professiona
,,sr oeneraily do not care to estrang'
friends by voting openly In party con
test. Workingmen as a rule are th'
boldest and openest voters. 1t Is seldom
that they make, or attempt TO make an,
concealment OF their preferences in a pri
mary. But the class to whom the opel
ballot Is most obnoxious Is the ofiicehold
ing class. 1t puts them lin the hands o
the ring" Our experience here is that
viva voce primary is never a primary
which the full Democratic vote Is poiied
AN this might be different in Petersburg
hut certainly Richmonds experiences Is a
ne have given It.