Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-27

OF the coercionists will follow them into
tho voting-booth.
The Australian voting system was de-
vlsed, In the first instance, to prevent
tho purchase and delivery of votes. and
10 thwart the purposes Of such employers
as had been in the habit OF following
their employees TO the polls to see that
they voted "the right ticket" And. as n
further security TO the dependent or pur-
chasable voter. II was ord red that
the booth be set up at safe distance
from the crowd at the polls and should
not be approached by any one. except as
provided for helping illiterates.
But for the booth system thousands
OF our Virginia voters would to-day be
helpless IN the hands OF their employers,
where such employers are disposed 10
take from them the freedom OF the bal
lot But, with the voting-booth. every
voter of ours may prepare his ballot In
absolute secrecy and fold It up and put
1t into the hands OF the judges, who are
not permitted to read II. Yes; happily
for US. our election law il well adapted
to the needs and demands of the hour.
He who wishes his vote to be secret may
have 1t so. All the special attorneys
and all the other agencies that the money
of Hanna and the boss boilers may en-
ploy cannot rob a voter of his privilege
to prepare his own ballot in secrecy.
Upon the employment of special coun-
sci by the boilers it is impossible to put
any other construction than that the bolt
ers distrust the Commonwealth attor-
news OF this State. With far more req
son might the Democrats Of Virginia o..
ploy special counsel TO see TO 1t that en-
ployers are not coerclng their employees;
that the funds OF railroad companies are
not being Illegally used In this campaign
and that their trains and trainmen are not
being employed TO promote ends that are
not only partisan in an extreme degree,
but are outrageously violative OF the
highest principles OF public policy.
All! il we Democrats were to go at the
work with sufficient vim, we should soon
have the tables turned upon the so-caIled
Sound money" and "honest-elections'
party In virginia. Their "sound-money'
pretence is a hollow mockery. Their cry
for honest elections" is a sham TO veil
the most gigantic assault ever planned
upon the freedom of the ballot In Viz
ginia, and, withal. they are trying to pass
themselves off as Democrats" whilst
they are in daily conference with the
enemy. and. we cannot but believe, are
receiving money from the enemy's war
chest.
The fact that President NJ. Y. ingalls,
Is on terms OF personal and political IN
timacy with the headquarters men OF
the boilers and Republicans, both, and
that he is advocating the election of Nc
Kinley Under the auspices Of an asso-
citation OF. persons who claim to be Demo-
Gratis. is in itself very suspicious cir
| cumstance.
At any rate, the Democrats of Virginia
/ ought 10 exercise the utmost vigilance
| against coercionists and corruptionists'
| come from what quarter they may ana
| ought to bring TO the attention OF our
| commemorative attorneys and grand
turtles all the facts that may come 10
their knowledge respecting the boss bolt
ers' conspiracy against the ballot in Nir-
ginia. We may trust the attorneys for
| the Commonwealth TO prosecute the Of
tenders and in all other respects to see
| that the laws Of this Commonwealth are
enforced. Section 1858 Of the Code OF
! virginia provides that IF any person
>. by threat or bribery attempts to
influence any elector in giving his vote
or ballot. or by such means attempts &c
deter him from giving his vote or bal
lot he shall be confined in jail
not exceeding one day and fined not eX'
| .-..-lir,,, q nnl -