Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16
sam TN, spIDrR no THE FLY.


OF the 700 Richmond and Henrico
men who have signed the anti-Bryan
pledge there are some, we believe,
who never have voted the Democratic
ticket in presidential elections, but the
great majority are Democrats. These,
we suppose, really wish 70 keep in the
middle Of the road, and turn neither
TO the right to aid Bryan, nor 20 the
left to aid Mckinney.
II It were positively known TO soma Of
these slsnsrs. that tho league would
give aid and comfort 70 our enemy, they
would withdraw their names forthwith.
We feel sure they don't wish 70 be In
strumentaI in the election OF Mckinley;
but we predict that before the day Of
election comes they will see close
coalition between the league and the
Republicans
All the preparations being made here
by the Republicans demonstrate that
they are confident Of the help Of the
Rnti-Bryan Democrats. Look how they
are crowding their committees into Rich
mond, ard how they are announcing
that they will have all the campaign
money that they want Observe, too,
that they have issued no call for q con-
gresEional nominating convention. Tho
reason for this Is that they wish to take
advantage Of any mistakes we may
make, and hope then to effect a com
bine'' with the anti-Bryan Democrats.
At first our wandering brothers will
be regaled with tina idea that an "inde-
pendent Democrat viii DO brought out
for Congress. But IT is going TO be
difficult thing 10 get any Democrat Of
prominence to take the field against our
regular nominee. In al probability, TO
such Democrat will be found. Then, the
combine viii look out for a Republi-
can, and him they will find. ana it will
be expected that the sound-money De-
rnocrats will throw their votes to him.
1t ID but another scheme of won't you
walk into my paflor?'' We advise those
OF the 100 who have been lifelong De-
rnocrats to consider well the path they
have taken, and beware. lest they be led
into c.oso fellowship With the enemy.
And talking about the 200. we must
tay information accommodates that
great many OF the signers did not sign
o. their own free Will. They signed
because their superior officers or en-
ployers expected them 10 do 50. These
are tines whom new employment is not
easily found, and hence. many clerks
and mechanics aligned rather than have
any question raised. Now some Of
these slgners find themselves committed
to breaking their primary election
pledge IN order that they may keep the
pledge which they made at the instance
OF their employers. This is a lamenta-
bic condition OF affairs. II Is one Of the
most resTet,able features OF this CAM
psign Never before ia Virginia was
such q pressure put upon dependent
voters II marks new era IN Virginia
politics; but 1t Is not q Virginlan idea.
but an idea imported here from the
North ana West, whore 1t has long been
praotlced by protected manufacturers
upon their worimen.
Who can sofesee how far reaching viii
be tho consequences OF this perniclous
systen7 Who can look into the future
OF Virginia, and 500 how it win affect
politics in the years TO come7 II at any
election sornc thousands OF white men
can DO pressed into voting this way or
that way. that vote. eddod 20 the negro
vote. VIII always be able TO make a
formidable Eight for the ONCE In this
state. Ihs might political power pass
from the hands Of tho many into the
hands OF the few. Better for tho Democrats
Of Virginia 10 bury all their differences,
and rise up and give such a stunning
rebuks 10 the authors OF the system as
win discourage any one who would here
aftor attempt to work" It or dependent
employees in this State.