Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-06
Something for Grave Reflection.
(Staunton Nindicator)

Virginia is afflicted just now by num-
Der of malcontents who, while claiming
with much vigor to be Democrats. and
demanding to receive consideration as
such, are ready TO sand-bag that party
on every opportunity. Indeed they do
not wait for an opportunity. but make
it, If the party has done nothing TO which
they can take exception, they assail it
for something that they claim IL intends
to do some time in the future. Their
warnings of some great defeat in store
for the party if IL does not follow their
teachings instead of those OF its tried
and trusted leaders are backed up by
threats about some considerable class OF
the party, in which they themselves are
naturally included. breaking into open re-
bellion and thereby bringing disaster.
What these men really mean is that
fusion of certain Democrats can be made
on their lines with the Populists and Re-
publicans-such a fusion as was made in
North Carolina. Now we don't think the
sand-baggers really want TO see such
state of affairs in Virginia as they have
had in North Carolina; so far from it,
they would be among those most indiS-
nant should II come And yet such
state as exists In that State is exactly
what will result in this If they succeed
In creating enough dissatisfaction with
the Democratic party TO weaken II in
the confidence of our people. They know
exactly what a fusion of Populists and
Republicans in Virginia means. and who
and what would compose it. and they
ought 10 know Just what the outcome
would be. But IL they do not we will
give them brief history OF what it has
wrought in North Carolina. 1t Is ansex-
tract from an editorial In the Raleigh,
y. c., News and Observer, under the
heading What the Legislature Did.
written Just after the adjournment Of that
body a few days ago:
1t increased appropriations H23.00
1t created $500 new offices, which have
been filled with Fusionists.
II spent sl3,30002 for help to wait on
members. ,
1t elected two men OF small ablIity 10
succeed two able ones In the United
II LEI the public printing to political
favorite at a cost of $5Sl.SS more IMAM
the lowest bidder.
and the Senate voted down a resolution
10 adjourn in honor of Washington and
Lee.
1t refused to contribute a cent to finish
the Confederate monument until the 1919
Five ordered ii done. TO make PREPARATION
| for the Douglass adjournment
IL turned manned soldiers out OF office
| to make place for robust negroes;
| twenty years by partisan. hostile legisla-
| ton.
| II increased taxation from y ga to
; a IA cents on the SlC1.
A change from tha State to county
| ADOPTION OF school books. which will prob
| ably involve the buying by the people
| If new books for the children. and differ
4 4. -.
| The passage Of a bill destroying tn
| credit Of the farmers and workingmen
| and making il practically impossible foi
| them to secure loans on mortgages.
| on this work the News and Observer
| thus comments:
| when those farmers of North Caro-
| lima who went OFF with the Populist move
| mcnt. hoping 10 find relief. wake up e
| find that they have been robbed of what
| credit they possessed, and learn that the
| only method many of them had 70 secure
| necessary advances TO enable them Il
| plant and cultivate their farms has bee
| aiken from them without word of warn
| ing or "A moments discussion they viii
no doubt. fully realize what the success:
| of the fusion movement meant in NOrti
| Carolina. And hereafter they Will proba
| bly, be willing to listen to both sides, an(
not refuse. at the bidding of Marion But
| Ter and Ohio Wilson, who We're merely
| working to get into office. TO listen to .
| discussion of political questions"
The burdens OF which the Democrat,
of Virginia are complaining in these tigh
| times were not put upon the State b!
| Democrats; they were put on 1t by Re
| publican State constitutional convention
| which sat In Richmond twenty-sever
years ago which, like the North Caroline
| Legislature, was largely black and tan
and In which Democrats were so scarce
| as TO be curiOsities. They were few, bu
what they lacked In numbers they made
~ in LOYALTY. and in this were totally
unlike the sand baggers of a generation
| later.