Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-27
The Political Pot in Virginia is
Boiling.
REPEAL OF TIE WALTON ELECll0NLAW
Questions to Come Before the Leg
islature.
ALEX UNDERSTAND SCANDAL


simultaneously with the approach of the
free-for-all, go-as-you-please race for seats
in the legislature the political pot through
out the state begins to steam up again.
Conventions and political gatherings of one
sort and another are now being held all
over Virginia, and candidates are as thick
as bees in a clover patch.
The fight for the legislature this fall will
be- perhaps, more vigorous than for several
years. Already the sever al parties are or
ganizing their forces and the entire state
is being closely canvassed.
Honest Elections the Issue.
There is vital question now agitating
the citizens of Virginia, and this is general
ly recognized as the greatest and most i'm
portant issue in the campaign. 1t is the
question of honest elections and the repeal
of tbs Walton law. 1t has agitated the
voters of Virginia for several years, and
has occupied the closest attention of politi-
cal leaders throughout the state for years.
though the subject has not assumed such
an important phase for some time. 1t is
now recognized as a controversy that needs
to he re:nedied, and there is a great de-
mand on the part of the voters, irrespective
of political creed, for the Legislature to take
some decisive steps at the assembly this
year.
Recently the honest elections question
has taken a remarkable squirt. Within the
past month there have been no less than a
dozen honest elections conventions held in
various sections of the state to take action
upon the question.
These conventions were composed of dem
ccrats republicans. populists and prohibit
tionists, though the last three parties
named appear to have taken the greatest
interest in the proceedings. Not that the
democrats of the state do not favor honest
elections. On the contrary, there has been
a do ylyifI1 in, thafv- MIC
on this reform. The democratic voters as
a rule, throughout the state are evidently
In favor of honest elections. but they are
not affliating with the ether parties in the
conventions for the reason that Gen. Ma
hone, their political enemy, is understood
to be the prime mover in the agitation of
the question.
Modification of the Walton Law.
That the democrats Of Virginia, as well
as the populists and republicans, favor the
repeal Of The Walton election law or at
least the modification of the law, cannot
be denied. Reports from all parts OF the
state establish this beyo nd a doubt. There
is strong demand for the addition of an
other constable to serve at the polls, so
that each of the two principal parties may
be represented This demand is being urged
by tne republicans and porulists especially,
while the democrats themselves do not ap-
pear to BE opposing it.
Senator Thomas S. Martin, the alleged
originator of the Walton law is coming in
for any amount of criticism and condemna-
ton, and the wall comes from all quarters
of the state: Repeal the Walton lawr' The
demand has become 50 strong that there is
little doubt as to an effort being made in
the legislature this year to comply with it.
Just what will be substituted for the Wal
ton law or just what notifications will be
made cannot be stated. The people have
formulated no suggestions but they sim
demand honest election
Senator Allen Watts of Roanoke says
that he Is in favor of honest elections and
the repeal or the modification of the Wal
ton law. and he Is of the opinion that
large majority of the intelligent voters in
his district hold to the same views. Sen
ator Watts position may be taken as an
example of how the people of Halifax
Caroline, Henry, MeckenbLrg, and in
deed most of the representative counties
of the state. look at the matter
silver Losing Ground.
The silver Issue in Virginia is gradually
losing ground. Free silver is being adyo-
Gated by many of the people in the remote
counties, and, indeed. in some few towns
but the financial question is nothing like
so widely discussed throughout the state
as 1t was some time ago. AS matter of
fact the free silver ranks ape weakening
Some Of the few thoughtful students of
finance who advocated free silver for
Wutie nave Deen converted TO the
site side, and the most intelligent people in
the thickly settled portions of the state
as a general rule are for sound money.
The recent conspicuous Improvement in
business circles throughout Virginia, the
impetus which manufactures have taken
on, and the general improvement in trade
have been responsible, and those who
claimed that nothing but free silver would
restore prosperity are beginning to doubt
. the truth of their prophecies.
Nearly all the furnaces, iron and coke
industries and other similar enterprises in
the state, which had been idle for months
on account of business depression. are now
in full blast. The spirit of the free silver
ties came d little too late. for now they
see prosperity returning too rapidly for
their position on the financial question.
Effect of O'FerrnlPs Action.
Gov. OFerralls recent four column letter
on the financial question, in which he badc
farewell to the free silver policy, and took
a stand for gold as the national currency
and which has been printed in leafiet form
and circulated throughout many sections of
the country, it is thought, has welded a
strong influence upon the minds of many
who have given the financial question
comparatively little Thought Well-khown
free silver men in the south side counties
of this state say that the governors let
ter has made many sound money converts
in that section.
Questions for the Legislature.
There are a number of important ques-
tons which will come UP in the legislature
this year, and which are expected to Gre
ate some lively controversies during the
sessions. One of the most important Of
these will be the consideration of the mill
tary exrenses of the state. During the
three months ending July 80 of this year
the expense Incurred by the state for the
services of the military in keeping down
riots, mobs and threatened lynchings was
some $4,000. This, it is claimed, Is a
heavy amount to be made Up by the state
taxpayers.
There was vigorous opposition from
various quarters of the state to the action
OF Gov. OFerrall in ordering out the mill
tary upon several occasions, and by some 1t