The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-19
RrpuBLIcAN HOPES IN vIRGINrA.

II IS reported that Colonel William
Lamb has great hopes Of carrying Nir-
einia for the Republicans next fall upon
a protective tariff and sound-money plat
form. and that he says the Walton law
will not prevent the success Of his party
whether it is repealed or not.
Colonel Lamb is mistaken in thinking
his party can carry Virginia if the Wal
ton law were repealed and new measure
adopted that gave the people confidence
That our elections would be open and
honest hereafter The existence Of the
Walton law puts the State in great peril
for the Democratic party. But If an
election law were passed by this Legisla-
ture which satisfied the people that every
man entitled by law to vote would be al
lowed hereafter to vote. and that his vote
would be counted as cast by him, then
the people of the state would again take
an interest in politics, and Democratic
rule for The State would be safe. The
man who thinks there is not now pro-
found apathy amongst the Democratic
voters of Virginia gives little heed to the
actual state of affairs. The great mass
of the voters are entirely Indifferent to
the result Of the elections; that indiner-
ence proceeds from their belief that the
elections are manipulated, and they will
not take interest in them again until
they are made to believe that all this is
changed. We agree that the State is in
great peril as matters stand. but Il our
elections were made fair we should have
little fear for the result.
Colonel Lamb is right in thinking that
the Republican candidate FOR President
will be greatly strengthened in Virginia
II the Democratic platform favors free
silver and the Republican platform is for
sound money. But he is wholly wrong
in thinking his party will acquire any
new strength in Virginia from protection
We do not believe the people OF Virginia
outside Of certain coal and iron interests
are giving much attention now TO the
tariff. They appreciate the fact that all
they buy Is greatly cheapenod by the
Democratic tariff legislation. and they
have no idea of letting that benefit 80.
But we do not think, with the exceptions
named. the tariff is cutting much figure
in their deliberations now.
But ali Of Nirginia's politics turn in
the immediate future on her election
laws. II they are properly amended Nir-
ginia IS safe Tor the Democracy. II they
are left as they are the future IS dark.
We were very much impressed by the
report In yesterdays Times of what Sen
ator Flood said Friday evening 10 the
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions when IL had tho Hay bill under
consideration. lie IS reported TO have
said that he knew there was opposition
In many parts OF the State TO the Walton
law, but he claimed that it was a manu-
featured opposition, gotten up for poliu-
cal reasons. This is a case in which
those whom the gods would destroy they
first make mad" II Senator Flood ex-
presses the views Of the voters Of the
Democratic party. then We suppose there
will be no amendment Of the Walton law.
and the party viii. we believe, lose the
state in the next presidential election.
We tell Mr. Flood as seriously as we
can that he is wholly mistaken about the
influences at the bottom OF the OPPOSE
tion 10 the Walton law. The people be-
lieve that law was conceived In fraud ana
operates TO cheat voters. The conscience
OF the State rebels against this. and it is
an aroused public conscience that is at
the bottom o. the opposition TO the law.
This public conscience may be stifed for
awhile, but II cannot be always suppress
Cd, and when Il does assert Itself It Will
grind TO powder whatever stands IN its
way. The fate OF Hil in New York and
Of German In Maryland ought to De sufii-
slaat lsssenA