Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-26
HONESTY IN ELECTIONS.

The Times is stln harping Upon cleo
zion frauds in virginia, amp doing all that
Il can 10 discredlt the name Of our old
state by charges mat ought never TO
have been made.
That There have been frauds in our
elections we cannot but believe; but where
"a there q state in which election frauds
have not been committed; where is there
q party out Of power that does not claim
that Il r. kept out by frauds?
There is no such state; no such party.
In ali the States frauds have been COM
mitted from time to time and Virginia
has been no exception to the rule; but
nevertheiess. We assert that the elections
I'm Virginia have been as free from fraud
as the elections in any other state.
So Gar 40 Smitherss Precinct is con-
oernod. we have the right to believe That
the Democrats there would not have
s-ot,en into any trouble If they had fol-
lowed the advice Of the Times. The
Times's advice 10 Democrats was to "as-
sert themselves" and II necessary, drive
or "the negroes and their mean white
allies" from the polls. But this course
The Snithers people did not follow. They
manipulated che ballots. While the
Times, we suppose. would have endorsed
the use OF the shotgun or bludgeon, Il
dlsapproved the method adopted, and has
been preaching upon that text ever since.
When the law IS 10 be violated the
Times wants A. violated in its way, not
in the smithereens way.
But while the Times breaches the
honest elections doctrine. IL has no word
OF disapproval for the methods pursued
by certain corporations 10 control the
voies OF their dependent employees in
Virginia. Here is text upon which the
Times might harp by the hour, but all
that II has TO say Is in defence Of these
corporate coercionists. Why does it not
rant and rage on this subject? How can
Il restrain its anger?
The public cannot but smile when the
Times poses o. an honest elections paper.
IL remembers a. famous 'Notfy-the-
Negroes" editoi1a'-an editorial not born
10 die so long q Times tries TO work
SIS honest elect IKE upon cur people.
And the public remember hereafter
nat I'm this fight the Times sees nothing
10 dlsapprove In the course Of the cor
norate coercionlsts. II pretencs 10 be-
lieve that the corporations are merely
circulating campaign literature intended
20 spread Information" concerning the
wall street side OF the currency argu-
ment. Tell Il TO the marines! The public
knows what is going on. There are people
on the outside who know how their kins-
men on the inside are badgered and be-
set 10 make them join 'sound-money'
clubs or sign 200 lists"
And, while the Times Is Wanting its
honesty and protesting Democratic prin-
clples. We find IL doing all thai Il can 10
elect Mckinley. who Is 1t that does not
know that the Times would like 10 see
Mckinley elected? Who Is II that has
seen any attack upon Mckinley in the
columns Of The Times?
No; all OF Us attacks are reserved for
Bryan Yes. this Democratic paper has
Its gun loaded all the time for the Demo
cratic nominee. but never a word OF OBJ
lection does II utter against Mckinley.
What sort OF way Is this for a Demo
cratic paper 70 do7 IL IL honest and
candidy Truly. IL must be a perverted
conscience that considers Il SO.
Nov. II the Times wishes to see how
lazy honest Virginia campaign may