The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-06
4 sHor THAT srsaucK THE MARK.

The comment of The yirginlan In It's
issue of Tuesday OH the Prohibition
Ring was a shot that struck the mark,
and tore through the tough hide OF the
ulanipulafors of the machine" of that
organization. The Pilotsof yesterday,
while ii a much to say on the POSI-
ton of The VirEinian In the
BILE contest in, the Democratic party of
this city preceding the municipal cleo
ton of 1894, has not one word to say as
to ring politics. In the ranks OF its own
party. The Virginian at the period al
luded to did not hesitate to denounce
ring methods" and 'rtng asure
within It's w party. 1t did not seek to
hide OF cover up the wrongs then ex-
listing and that had existed so long, as
to cause serious division In the party.
1t specially pointed out the frauds and
the wrongs that caused honest Demo-
Gratis TO call n halt. and 1t fearlessly as.
serted that the time has come when
this shameful prostitution of the fran
chisc should be stopped so far as Nor
folk was concerned" and that faction
fearless and patriotic. IS required. as
~ sii'S, li"N NSiiSl Ia liOlItSllS lJtfnO-
cratic and requires no fraud to make her
So" an assertion The Pilot failed to
quote. Il
Why did not the Pilot quote further
from the OF The VirginIan on
Ring Rule" and "Bossism." and MA
chine Politics. In the management OF
the Democratic party of Norfolk, In
that memorable period In the history
of the party? Is 1t because an examina-
ton OF the files of The yirginian will
stagger ii with the pfainness Of its OK
preston ON the evils which harrassed
the Democratic party of the CITY.
when II has not the courage to demand
for the Prohibition voters of Norfolk
an opportunity in IL legalized primary
election to give expression as to their
choice of ~ ticket to be voted for at the
coming municipal election? 1t was this
honest and outspoken courseo OF the Dem
ocratic press of Virginia and the efforts
of those Democrats who dcmanded n
correction of evils, II enabled Senator
Daniel, at that period. in the Senate
of the United States. to repel the asser-
lions Of Senator Frye, on the Virginia
Democracy in the discussion of the Fed
efal election bill, and to so completely
floor him, that the Senator from Maine
was siienced. Said Senator Daniel:
IF this Virginia matter he the fraud
which 1t is set forth to be tho Senator
proved two things about 1t. First, that
ond, that the Democratic newspapers
were after it: that the party was re-
buking it to which the alleged offenders
belonged. When L shall hear the Sena-
tor from Maine arise upon this floor, and
rcbuke persons of his own party that
others think to be worthy of criticism, l
shall realize h q he is on n plane with
the Democrats from Virginia. We have
honest people IN Virginia. MIR. President.
who will put their foot upon fraud lust
rs quickly as any people upon this earth,
who have the instinct of honesty and
the courage of their convictions"
Yes, Mr.. Pilot, YOU can be placed in
the same position that Senator Daniel
put Senator Frye. VIII YOU have the
courage to demand for the Prohibition
voters the right and protection of the
legalized primary law. that they may
express their opinion as who shall be
their nominees on a ticket 10 be voted for
1T tHe cptllHB municipal election! DO
YOU know that your machine is now
busy at work preparing States TO dish
out the offices? That they are manipulate
ing trades? That your party bosses are
at work, not to secure an expression of
the voters, but to ram down their throats
a ticket that they have no voice or say
in its formation? II the GOO Democrats
alluded to by The PHO; failed to secure
an Electoral Board" they secured the
passage of the legaliZsd election law,
which enable any party to have n ticket
representing the choice OF the majority
of It's voters. free from hos rule or
committee dictat!on' or machine poli-
tics" II Is under the provision of this law
that the Democratic party has been
working since 1884. and It Will be under
It's provisions that IL Will nominate its
ticket for the spring election. Let Il
primary Of your party voters proclaim
THE TRUTH" OF a choice. and not
"a LIE" Of a machinc-hatched, ring
controlled committee. Let it be Il ticket
not a SLATE" hat is the creation of a
fow ofice-holders and ofice-seekers.
Then for the election by the people, and
The Virg!n!an. should fraud or wrong be
attempted or executed, will not fall to
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