Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-26
FIGHTS IN AND our ruE PARTY.


adopted.
In Baltimore we made the same mis-
take.
In a sister Virginia city We made Ike
blunder.
In New Orleans. IN spite OF the e1-
perience OF 50 many other cities our
party repeated the same old error ana
the consequence was that large num-
Der OF our voters "bolted." and, securing
the help Of the Republicans. swept the
city. And so the Democrats OF the Cres-
cent City will lose power for years. ana
the city will become the prey OF on IN
harmonious conglomeration OF well-mean-
ing but misguided Democrats. led on by
tricky old Republican political hacks
The disgust and discomfort visible In
Richmond after the rottenness OF the
management OF the gas-works was dis
closed gave cause for apprehension that
an independent movement would be mace
here at this years municipal election;
but the organization Of the Democratic
League probably prevented 1t. The reso-
luton OF several thousands Of Democrats
to accept the party's oft-made invitation
TO fight within the party lines for the
correction OF abuses was accepted. Yes;
the league has done exactly what the
party has always said should be done
under these circumstances.
1t is no part of the functions OF the
Democratic clubs to take part in the
nomination OF candidates. and hence the
league was formed. and all Democrats
in sympathy with its aims were Invited
TO join 1t. This invitation several thou
sand Democrats have accepted, and their
platform Is that the Democrats of Rich
mond ought to see that the city OF Rich
mond lives within its income. IL this
Is good doctrine for the conduct OF mu-
nIcipal business, the league is to be com
mended. If it is an unsound and unsafe
doctrine the league is to be condemned
and should be dissolved. and the men
who have joined 1t should hide their heads
in shame.
But, in the opinion OF many OF the
soundest and loyslest Democrats in the
city-men who were true in war, in the
turbulent days OF Reconstruction, and In
the fearful test OF Mahonsism-the league
is not only working upon sound business
principles, but is working upon sound
party principles. In their opinion 1t Is
well to encourage Democrats to lay their
grievances before the party. We have
been taught TO bring our grievances to
the party, and 1t being settled
that the party will patiently hear
every complaint, there will never be any
excuse for Democrats boiling our ranks,
as they did in New York, Baltimore,
and New orleans.
We repeat that we like the Richmond
method better than tho New Orleans me-
thod. We have not gone to our enemies,
but to our friends for counsel. We have
not proposed TO turn anybody out OF office;
nor would We cut the pay OF the wage
earners. All that we ask IL that. forget
ting the past as far az possible. we shall
in the future determine that the city OF
Richmond shall live within her income.
Is there anything outrageous in this? Is
IL a wrong policy? Or is II heinous
offence TO make our fight in the party?
Some have asked why. instead of form
ing Democratic leagues, the Democrats
who are In favor OF good government did
not toin the Democratic clubs. Many OF
them already belong TO Democratic clubs.
but every party man knows that our
alys. /, orff in M h N
nominations. over and over again they
or some OF them-have caused the public
prints TO state that they take no part IN
advancing the claims Of this. that, or the
other candidate. On the other hand,
while the league is not formed 10 advance
the personal interests Of any candidate.
II is formed TO support the candidates
who desire the city to live within It's in
come-candidates who are known to be
in favor OF a more economical admnistra-
ton Of the city government
The motto that the league would have
Richmond adopt Is, Settle your disputes
within our party lines. and compel the
city government TO live within its income
several thousands OF good Democrats Ito
whose views we think some concessions
should be made) are OF the same opinion.
IT really does seem as though the party
ought TO be willing to make some conces-
sions to this large element Of our popu-
lation, especially as the concessions asked
for are as purely unselfish and impersonal
as we're ever asked by any set OF men.
The Democratic party OF Richmond has
reneatedly made concessions to "ele-
ments." SO to speak, that did not repre-
sent one fourth Of the numbers of the
leaguers. Then, why should II be hard to
grant TO these voters of ours the reason
able things that they ask? 1t seems,
however. that there is TO be fight TO
the end-that is, until the primary re-
suit is declared. The leaguers, II they
are true to their platform, true to their
comrades. true TO themselves, will be able
10 exert a powerful influence. They are
obeylng the party's injunction; they are
making their fight within the party; they
have a good platform. In short, they de-
servo success, and with proper effort will
achieve II. II the members OF the league
will but do half as much systematic
work as will be done by those who are
trying to down" them. the league will
win great victory.