Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-26
Press the Point.

Democratic speakers would do well
to press upon the attention OF our people
the fact that the so-called honest eiec-
tons" bill would, II enacted into law,
put the Democrats Of Virginia In a
minority Of one to three on every cleo
ton board in this State.
Such Is the "non-partisan' character
OF the bill which General Malone framed
and caused the Petersburg conference
TO adopt! 1t is a measure intended TO
be fair to every party in Virginia-ex-
cept the Democratic party.
Oh. ir is a cunning scheme! Each
party is to nominate one of the judges
OF election. So the Democrats, Republi-
cans. Prohibitionists, and Populists
would each have a man on the board.
Then the last three would, of course, out
vote our one. Nice arrangement. Ex-
tremely fair. Amazing non-partisanry.
AS long as the Democrats are in power
in Virginia they are entitled to have a
majority Of the judges Of election at
each of our voting precincts. This is the
rule here and everywhere elsa rule
inaugurated by the Republicans and
which we are justified in following Watch
the committee appointments when they
are made by Speaker Tom Reed in De-
cember next. and you will see that Tom
will give the sUaightout Republicans
q majority on every committee Of the
United States House OF Representatives.
He is no non-partsan, but his method
Is much to be preferred to that en-
ployed by the coalition in Virginia.
Theirs Is method which pretends to
offer the people a thoroughly non-parti-
them a measure which is intended to
chain down the Democrats In Virginia
hand and foot.
When General Malone devised this so
called honest elections bill he knew
what he was doing He was working to
the Republican party in power. He
knew that II he could induce our people
to support his bill he could bind the fet-
tiers upon the Democrats. Yes; the Gene
raj knew what he was doing. though he
was not so indiscreet as to say, as one Of
his followers did. Anything to beat the
Democrats" The 'honest elections" bill
would better be called the snake-in-the-
grass bill. Our speakers cannot be too
active In exposing its treacherous charac-
ter.
And. by the way. we are now soon
to enter upon the last week Of the cam
paign and we ought to make 1t "a rousing
81 % ~ho
themselves on the stump. 1t is a good
opportunity. too, for our young men to
make q start In political life. The people
wish to hear the issues Of the canvass
discussed. They wish to be told what
Z trick bill! this honest elections bill
Is. They are getting warmed up and
will give our speakers close attention.
In a dozen or more counties that We
know Of our party has suffered because
there has not been enough Of public
speaking on our side. The county COM
mittees have not been active enough.
While the choosing Of speakers belongs
10 the county committees 1t is well known
that the chairman of the State Commit
tee will help our local authorities to the
best Of his ability to supply speakers.
The pretentious and bombastic Repub-
lican-Popuiistic coalition Is already suffer
,ng from the exposure Of the character
of their ''honest elections bill. II we
push them closely on this line and or
ganize thoroughly to bring our voters
out on the 9Th of November we shall
be able TO put the combination to COM
piete rout. On the other hand. IL We are
going TO fail In our duty. we might as
well make up our minds TO hear some
disasreeable news from the elections
which are TO be held In this State on
the 9th OF November next.
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