Evening star., 1896-10-06
lASSITER'S RESIGNATION
Believed to Have Resulted From an Effort to
Have Honest Elections.
Growth of the Sound Money Demo-
cratic MOvement-Free Silver
ties Greatly Exercised.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

RICHMOND, Va, October 8, 1895.
The resignation of F. r. Lassiter as dis
trfct attorney for this district has created
widespread comment here, and the action
of President Cleveland, through Mr.. Har-
mon. is regarded as a significant movement.
1t is understood that the removal OF Mr.
Iassiter was the result of concerted eff
fort ON the part of the sound money demo-
Gratis. who are making desperate effort
to have honest elections throughout the
district in November. Mr.. Lassiter was an
active worker for the cause of the free
silveriteS in this district and he was giving
some of his time to the advancement of the
cause of Bryan and Sewall. The opinion
among the sound money democrats here is
that Mr.. I.assiter ought to have kept out
Of politics. and that he should have either
resigned the position he held with the free
silver state democratic committee, or given
up his federal office voluntarily, If he ex-
pected TO continue to work for Bryan and
Sewan. An example In this respect was set
by Mr.. W. =. CullingwOrth, who is post
master of the city of Richmond. Mr. Cul-
hngworth called all his men together and
reminded them of the civil service rules,
and warned them ali not to take any active
part in politics He then resigned his posi-
tion president of the Union Democratic
Club. on the ground that he could not take
any active part in the campaign, according
to the civil service regulations.
Effort for Honest Elections.
1t is thought here that the re moval of Mr..
Lassiter gives conclusive evidence of the
strong effort here for honest elections. 1t
is generally conceded that the wholesale
stuffinG of ballot boxes at the last CUB
ernatorial and congressional elections
and especially the crcokeGness in the
tfird and fourth congressional districts,
where 1t clearly proven that tine
Of braZeE
sort, has opened the eyes of the sound
money people, and that they have Kept
the alert to have removed from
office every responsible officer who does
rot take an active stand against these
Irregularities. The contest of Thorpe VS..
Mckenny brought out the most haSrant
cheating in election, and yet practically
nothing was done to punish the men who
We're proved to have taken part in this A
similar state of affairs was that which was
exposed at Smithers' precinct, in Henrico
county. 1t was claimed that ii Mr..
Lassiter's duty to prosecute the election
judges and clerks who were proven to have
taken part in the Thorpe Us. McKenny con-
test. ard others. but that the guilty parties
were allowed to go unpunished. The sound
money democrats have determined to get
an honest count in the November election.
go far as is possible. and the removal of
Lassiter is thought TO be significant of their
plans in the matter.
Free SiIvcritcs Exercised.
much exercised over the recent conference
among the leaders of the sound money
movement in the state to devise plans to
get an honest count in November. At this
conference some of the ablest lawyers In
Virginia were consulted and 1t is under
stood that the whole state will be so care
fully watched as to enable the sound money
people, through their attorneys. to prose-
cute to the full extent of the law all cleo
tton judges and clerks who are found to
be guilty of tampering with the returns.
The efforts on the part of the sound money
and no labor or expense will be spared to
have their plans carried out.
Much comment has been iniulged in
throughout the states as to alleged efforts
on the part of the free Silverites in many
parts of the state to prevent the sound
money speakers from getting fair hear
ing before the people. The sound money
cause. which started from a mere bubble
of discontentment by reason of the Chi
caso platform. has grown to such an ex-
tent as to worry the free silver democrats
little.
Efforts ut Fusion.
The conference between the free silver
democratic and populist leaders with q
view TO fusion in the state has been wide
ly discussed here The last meeting Sat
urday night. was a decided gain for the
free silver democrats. They submitted a
proposition to the populist special commit
tee 10 give the populsts two electors or
the ticket. provided they would support
Sewan instead of Watson. The populists
were divided as to accepting this PROPOSE
ton Mr. j. W McGavock and Senator
Hale were in favor of it, while Col. j. Has
kins HObson. chairman of the populis
state committee. and j. NJ Gregory op
posed it, After several hours conferenc,
tine meeting adjourned without reaching
any decision 1t was agreed, however, tha
Mr. McCfavock and Senator Hale woulC
both so on the stump for the free silver
demOcrats. This is strong point gained
for the latter, as the two new acquisition!
to the free silver canvass among tn,
strongest pOpulists in the state. 1t Il
thought another effort for fusion between
the free silver democrats and the populist
will SCoE be made