The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-09-28
The PEOPLES FORUM.
DISTRICT POLITICS.

DISTRICT POLITICS
Views of 81 Repu blioan on the Situation as
Now Presented.
To THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES: In the
opening OF thus argument / will first
take up and consider the conference
held at Petersburg. In that meeting
Republicans participated, som OF whom
were Hon. James a Walker, Col. j.
Hampton HoRe and others from the
Southwest. Instructions were given by
the chairman of the Republican State
executive com mittee, who was also
member of this conference, that no
nominations should be made by the
party for the fall campaign; believing,
Us he did, that it was for the best in
teress OF the party to unite with tho
Independents, regardless OF past party
utilization. In nearly every district
throughout the State this has been
done, and no dissension has been heard,
with the exception of this, the Fourth
senatorial district.
An independent caucus wac held at
Salem on the 6:h day Of September, at
which time the situation was discussed
and the meeting adjourned without any
nominations being made. second
caucus wss held at the same place on
the 18th day of September. What Re-
from Roanoke city representing the
party and named by the executive com
mite we're: Messrs. A. S. Asberiy, city
chairman; J. II. Ward, George o.
Houston, j. S. Pattie, memb ers of the
city com mittee, aud Col. Hoge. This
does not include those Republicans
from Roanoke and Montgomery
counties. The Republic ans were In the
majority. The names of M. a Clayton
and Harris Boge, independent Demo-
Gratis. and Phil. Lockett. Repu blican,
were proposed What position did some
of the Republican mem bers take when
the name OF the latter gentleman was
suggested? They Immediately became
hostile and declared they would not
support Mr.. Lockett.
A ticket was then named with two
independent Democrats and one Re-
publican. With the Republicans in the
majority. why WAS MOI some Republican
nominated, or why was not Mr. Lockett
put on the ticket? Il certainly met
with no opposition from the indepen-
dent side OF the house, aud is was In the
power OF the Republicans to do so had
they desired. Tnen after joining forces
| with the fair cleo lion people, going into
caucus with the majority in their
favor and getting defeated, is it in good
faith to thos. who are fighting with US
for the same cause 10 rise up with in
dtgnatlon and say we will not su pport
| any thing but straight Republican
| ticket.
| Suppose wo nominate candidate for
Senate. At the election the Repu blicans
voting for their nominee, the Independ
ents supporting their candidates and tue
machine Democracy sticking like grim
| deaih TO the Walton Cons .itution- Dis
will ha
| outcome? IL would not quire the wits
or Solomon 20 foreteli the result
| Democratic machine supre macy would
undoubtedly reign and the gulf would
bs wiosned between the Republicans
| and Independents.
l. as y Republic IN. was in tho outset
In favor of calling q convention and
| placing full ticket in the field, believ
ing that By 80 doing we cauld and would
| get the support OF the Independent
| Democrats and thus carry our banner
through triumphanty, but as it was
| deemed best by some OF the leaders to
caucus with the fair election people,
| surrendered and awaited the result.
The question which now confronss us
squarely in the face, Is whether 1t is ex-
| pedient for Us to mako nomination to-
day, or shall we endorse the reform
ticket? TINS Is mater which we
should we'll consider. Is iJ better for
US to join fore ss and succeed. or shall we
cut loose. go into the fight single
handed and be troiden down as usual?
Is it not a battle for an honest election
law? H.yo we not all to gain aud moth.
ing to lose? Have we not tried the ma
chine Democracy, and did they no. give
us one OF the most dsmna b le of all laws,
connected, as it was, for the sole purpose
OF disfranchising the ignorant voter
Then If this b9 the status Of the case,
Why not go with the majority OF our
Repu blican brethren throughout the
State and unto wish toe fair election
people? IL is no party figns. but an in,
dependent move to secure tho enact
mens OF an honest and fair election law,
giving the ignorant man the same op-
portunity as the educated to vote his
sentiments. REPUBrIcAN.
Roanoke, Septem Der g.