Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-11
pUsINEss-MEN IN POLITICS.


II seems that the circular to which we
referred In yesterdays issue has certain
~ been issued, and the following is
copy of IL:
Richmond, Va. December 3, 1886
Dear Sir: The cause of Sound Money /
has triumphed. and the financial issue has
been settled By an overwhelming popular /
vote of the people Of the United States
against free silver.
The other great issue, however, in this
State of Honest Elections. remains I'M |
settled. and the open and fraudulent de-
6ance of the peoples will in many sec
tions of this State on election day Is IN
reproved and unpublished.
II IL impossible to overestimate the I'M |
portance of continuing the fight for honest
elections in which we nave embarked ana
II heccr-ns imperative for the virginia
Jeagut p Sound Money and Honest
Tlactton. % place the organization upon a
nerroanent and substantial basis. and TO
nush IL with renewed vigor, until 1t has
covered the entire state.
This league has formulated its plans
for the fight which is before it, and no
time should be lost r. pressing them WIN
all possible energy while the iheiiioly VI
election frauds is fresh in the minds OF
the peop!e. and their revulsion against
corrupt methods is vivid and pronouhcea'
No unbiased ctizen. whatever MS pon-
tics may be. can doubt that the majority
az the voters OF this State. who exercised
the right OF suffrage on election day were
c-ainst Mr. BRYAN and the Chicago plat
Tor1n and vet. by unlawful, fiagrant.sand
corr,nt nractices Of election boards. regis
trars and Judges. the will of the MAORI
-, of the voters OF Virginia has been
rlIthlessly overthrow.
II is now proposed by this league to
redouble its efforts for the formation OF
local leagues throughout the Slaue' anu
In addition thereto to ask that every
citizen OF virginia who Is I'm FAVOR OF
honest elections enroll himself as a nlehl-
her Of this organization, and thus give
RS countenance and support TO the Souhu-
Money and Honest Election League OF
Virginia. ,. .r,, 10
furnished upon application to the Secre-
terry of the State League, or 10 the secre-
tsry Of the nearest local league. from
ether Of whom full information can DC
obtained. .
shall the people of Virginia longer suf-
fer its fair name 20 be stained by cor
ruption and fraud. or shall they by Wig
orous methods protect the suffrage ana
guard the rights and Liberties OF the cili-
zen? Respectfully.
r T. GLASGOW. President;
A p. GUIGON. Gen. Attorney.
John r. West. Secretary.
IJnimportant variations excepted, this
"a the same circular that was put forth
a few days after the election. 1t was
then so generally condemned by the ous'-
mess community, we had thought no fur-
Their effort would be. made to distribute
II. But not so: it has been reprinted
freshly dated, and is now being addressed
10 well-known citizens throughout the
state.
T-be organization which has sent out this
o,roular Is composed largely Of business
men Of Richmond and Henrico. II would
seem that these prefer political agitation
and controversy rather than peace and
ou,et else they would not force COM
harrison Of Hannas methods with Demo
cratic methods nearly year IN advance
oS any election at which the sense OF
tho people can be taken upon the ques-
tions at issue
Observe that this appeal is not ad-
dressed TO The Democrats Of Virginia
INIT 10 "every citizen OF Virginia VINO Is
IN favor of honest elections" etc. In
deed. the movement Is endorsed in inter
views published in the State newspaper
Of Yesterday afternoon by Judge Waddill'
treasurer of the Republican Campaign
Committee, and McKinley's closest friend
in Virginia; Nick Smith, the chairman OF
the City Republican Committee. and Nor
gan Treat. the candidate for Republican
clector in this district.
In short, we have here. In It's formative
stage. a party TO contest with the Demo
Gratis the elections OF next fan. SO. who-
ever joins this organization may as well
know now as later on that he Is falling
into lire with an opposition party.
There must be something more than
"honest elections" behind this movement
because il Is well known that the State
Senate win be Democratic for some years
TO come. Hence. no one who really hopes
for changes IN election methods can ex-
pect success by antagonzing- the only
party which will have 1t in it's power
10 legslate for our people
However. We do not care to go into a
minute consideration OF tao questions
raised by ibs circular
First, we wish 10 know II II Is really
true that the leacss speaks for any con-
siderable number of the businessmen of
Richmond? We should Ike &c know II
II y the judgment OF thee businessmen