Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-19
OCTOBER 10. 1894
Tho Campaign in This State


The prospects Of the Democratic party
I'm Virginia are improving daily, but there
Is stIlI much work to be done before We
can comfort ourselves with the assurance
that we shall win a complete victory
on November 9Th.
AZ we have said before. we are nara
rr ssed In several OF the congressional
districts. Apathy Is the insidious enemy
against which We must level our wea-
rons. With our people aroused as we
have seen them aroused in former cam
ro'gns. we could count on carrying every
district in the State. AS 1t Is, We find
that our speakers have done vast deal
OF good. and have removed objections
from the minds Of many: made converts
Of many Populsts and interested many
who have heretofore been lukewarm; but
there is still much work before US.
In some counties we are not organized
os we ought TO be: our clubs are not as
effective as they might be- 1t Is time
20 change this. We can promise our
people certain and complete victory as
The result Of proper effort; but the fruits
Of slothfulness and Indifference In close
districts cannot be aught else than in
glorious defeat.
Wake up. brother Democrats: step into
line and take par. in the canvass. There
is work for every Democrat to do, ana
the willing spirit can find 1t and do 1t
Of his own motion II he has no assign
ment from the party organization. In
each city and county after every public
sueaking organizers should put the party
vote in trim TO be fully and promptly
cast on the day Of election. Don't suffer
oyer-confidence TO smother you in It's
dangerous embrace. Be up and doing
for your party-that is TO say. for your
country.
The importance Of carrying the next
House OF Representatives for the Demo
Gratis can hardly be overstated. The rea-
sons therefor we have pointed out time
and again. II we lose the House we may
lose the presidency. II we lose the
presidency the Democratic party and the
South will have a fearful setback.
But we are not only to vote for mem
bers Of the House OF Representatives in
November but here In Virginia we are
70 vote upon an amendment to our State
Constitution, which is SO important that
every voter who sincerely loves his State
ought TO be willing to go to the polls
10 vote for it If he had no other call
there.
The amendment in question Will be the
instrument Of restoring to US the old law
which allowed justices Of the peace TO
dispose OF many petty cases without the
costly and often useless Intervention Of
jury.
In hundreds of minor prosecutions the
accused prefers to let the justice fix the
punishment. so that it may be all the
sooner over. In other cases frequently
the accused Is willing enough to let the
Justice try him, being resolved in his
own mind to take the sentence If it is not
severe and TO appeal to Judge and jury If
IN his opinion the sentence Is excessive.
our old law worked well for years and
wears. and there was no popular de-
mand for its repeal. but the case Of one
Mary Miller was carried 10 the Supreme
Court Of Appeals. and that court decided
that II was unconstitutional TO try these
petty cases without Judge and jury.
This decision has added enormously TO
the criminal expenses of the Common
wealth, and to reduce these and eXpe-
dite the administration OF justice the
amendment in question is to be passed
upon by our people at the polls on the
9Th day Of November. II the people adopt
the amendment the General Assembly at
its next session will restore the old law,
and the justice of the peace will then
have the same jurdiction that he had
for years and years.
The constitutional amendment will be
voted for" or against on ballot
separate from the ballot used In voting
for members OF Congress. and these bal
lots will be printed in Richmond and
sent out from here to all the cities and
counties.