The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-02

Bristol, Va. March ~, $50.
70 the Editor OF The Times.
sir.-I have had infinite pleasure and
profit IN reading the editorials relating 10
the subject OF honest elections or election
reform IN Virginia, which nave apL
ia the columns Of The Times during the
past year. / am pleased 90 express, not
only my own eradication, hut that oi
very many of the most Intelligent men
of an political parties i'm Southwest Nif-
einia. az the righteous course pursued hy
The Times I'm the interests of honest
methods ln politics. honest legislation in
the direction OF reform. honest electoral
boards. Judges and commissioners, honest
returns. and for the elimination oi the
practice and prcccpts' which have cor
rupted and rendered tarcical our cleo
uons. ana for the preservation OF our
civilization and institutions Ihcre is
here no place for the partisan. Demo
Gratis. Republicans. iopulists' fiohipi-
tionists. &C al, are alike interested III
having laws adopted, methods enacted
and adhered TO. 20 save the state from
the corrtlutionist. the ballot-hoX suffer,
the forger the perJurer the priner. Inc
marty or politics which cannot rely upon
nrinciple but must depend upon fraud
and force. or questionable laws, 10 per
petuate political power, does not deserve
IN rule The problem should be solved
i'm Il practical manner. There shoulo
be enacted amendments 10 existing laws
or an entire encouragement. providing
among other things.
First For nOn-partisan electoral
boards. judges and commissioners, ana
constables. and for the selection or the
most intelligent and respectable repre-
sentat!ves OF the several political parties
as Judges. commissioners, etc. the same
~ be- nominated by the several political
committees respectively 10 the electoral
boards or county Judges for appointment.
second. For the presence at the
counting. and on the day OF the meeting
Of the county commissioners 20 open and
declare the vote, or adherents ana coun'
sel of each party TO watch the proceed
ings ., -,
Third. For the representation OF al
rarties on all electoral b0ards-county anl
/ state returning boards.
Fourth. For one uniform oalo
/ printed In presence of one member o
/ each PARTY having candidates IN the con
tesO. with as many parallel coiuhlh'
thereon as there are political parties nav
ing candidates arranged thus, Tor tx
o,nnle. I'm the first column thereon, a
the head thereof. have printed the pic
ttre OF a rCcster 10 represent the Dtmo
/ cratic partv and underneath the san
havo names OF the Democratic candi
dates clearly printed IN plain. uniform
| ,,ne In the second column Thereon
! have the picture OF an eagle 10 repre-
sent the Republican party, with name
| OF candidates hereunder. In the thlr
column thereon have the picture or
nlow 10 represent the Populist party
and IN the fourth column thereon nav
the picture OF home circle 10 repre-
sont tho Prohihitionists. with the name
Of candidates hereunder respectively
provide that the voter shall support IN
ticket of his choice by simply making
cross mark cND under the rooster
eagle nlow OF home circle, as the cas-
nav he Provide that a rae simil
ticket printed IN blue may be used by a
] ,erties 20 prepare the illiterate voter 10
his duty. Thus the several respectiV
noiifical parties will be able 70 educai
every man 10 discharge the elective frar
chise without danger or trouble; thef
Will he prstentCd any repetition OF the mn
takes OF las, November WIN sue
rrovisions. the frauds resorted 10, IN
/ corruption connived az. the pfActloes az
rrecepts" adonted and followed. |.
..masterpieces OF trickery" empioyed. u
ballot-box sturing the perjury ihVoiFe
viii be crimes OF the past
The provisions hereinhefore suggest
and outlined are submitted 10 the pun
for consideration. From them measure
and methods alike honorable. honest AT
inst NAV be conceived and provided an
n our state = 10 be ruled by the De
elements IN politics there can De no VI
lection thereto.
Very respectfully.
STUART r. LINDSEY