The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-04

Some Pertinent Suggestions From Nir-
ginia Citizen.

Editor OF The Times; ,. o..
Sl..-Au you say OF election frauds -
trus. and much more might De sald rs
70 other methods Of fraud ana onDe'y.
q'he only hope the free-silyer lOpocfaly
have OF cal rying the fall election hes IN
this direction In 1870. $50 was usea n
one OF the black belt districts 10 Duy
colored distributors Of ballots ana 10 hH9
coiored voters 10 20 chestnut hunting on
election day Under the Walton law the
nrSt method is blocked out though inc
same results can be obtained ~ "
pointing a risCally judge 10 Tx INC O"'
dots for tho iyt orGnt.
To head OF 3 me Of tho raSCalily, 1
would suggest the following prograRine
% Let every intelligent patriotic, ana
honest man maio II his special busli.e.'
10 see that every voter IA taught MS let
ters so lie can read MS baliot-this can
Doe done easily nights and sundays beiois
election IA,
Cy Let each yUter have a card with
tho nsme.5 OF the electors and congress
man pIainly printed. 50 he could compare
with his ball0t-not few make mis- taxes
IN fixing der ballots, even when tAey
can read.
3D. Let tho REPUBLICANS and sound
money Democrats. each choose --ie-at
each precinct. leach 10 have their own
register book IN Gaze each party has
their candidates-then let every voter for
either. after casting his ballot at the
legal polling place. 80 10 these parties
and rec. ster his namo and whom he FOte1
for Ey this meirs. n fraud was prac-
tced 20 change the rghtiul results the
evidence for contest would be easy ana
sure TO gen
II win take two generations 20 over
como the evil effects upDn our boys ana
young men, that have already been en-
tailed upon tEem. ny these election irauds
Dishonesty and lying IN election matters
prepare tho way for the same TO be praf-
tlcei IN other rn;terS.
Cheating the ignorant colored man out
OF bis ballot rray be blessing 10 MN
bnt must DO an awful carse upon tho
character Of the white man who does H.
and his rctrfbuuOu will be sure TO come
some time and worst OF alt. MS sins may
b. visited upon his children and grand
children.
After tris material election I hope TO
see a grand rally made for reform e.ono-
ny and honesty In our state. by al pa
triotic Dem, crsfs. Populists. Republicans
and Prohibition i,ts. Let us forever Oh
vorce national politics from our Sia-e.
county. and city affairs When United
states senators are either abolished or
elected by the people direct, national pom
ties uoed not come Into our state cleo
tons at all.
am aware that chronic ofice-seel1ers
and partisan bummers will not fHyoc this
az al. But g-l0ths II not 49-JOths az the
people viii favor 10 when truly and
plainly put before them And the same
IS true as 90 the Swiss system Or lhe
mandatory petition and referendum Tor
direct legislation by the people. In fact.
i ind the people almost unanimous FOR
4, when they understand n. Under this
system each county could regulate IT'S
fence. dog. licenses. and other lovaI mat
ters. with very little expense.
also find The people not oiiice-seeA-
ers. unanimous for letting tho Once seen
the man. hot tho man the Office.
would merely Jet q man announce hlm-
SELF about as follows: Il. John Doe.
am willing 70 act as sheriff for Amherst
county. i promise not To- solicit votes
mvge.f nor 10 employ others 20 90 IL
for me-" An honest non-partisan rally
OF tho people LTOu these lines would sure
ly result ia the election next fan Of
Legislature tfat would not De us
grace 10 or state. 20 say the least An
honest move by the white vOtess ON these
lines would settle the race question Tor
the best good or both races. II tho white
men OF Virginia VIII lead FOR reform.
economy ant hoI esty the colored voters
Will follow. The colored farmer has sense
enough 10 seq that what Is FOR the best
good Of white farmers must also be best
for him.
1 want The Tines TO devote all its I'M
luenco ana powers 10 defeat the million
aIre silver mlne-Owners iu their present
or more per arrum, without giving any
value received therefor. but after this Is
done on November 5d. j would like 10
have The Tines become the State organ
for grand nonpartisan rally Ia State
affairs. As our next legislature will
elect q United states senator. by re-
qulriLs the candidates 10 have printed
separate ballots with their names on
them. SO that an informal yC1e could be
taken at the election Of the Legislature
the people could thereby instruct the Leg
lslature as Co their wishes. BY this means
uataioual politics could be practically
eliminated On m cur 1897 election OF mem
tcrs for our Legislature. 50 we would be
free 70 fully put in practice our nom
PARTISAN state movement
/ gave a years free time 10 aid tho
Farmers Alliance 10 keep il out Of the
control OF traitors. lunatics and place.
power. and plUrder hunters. and ] am
willing 20 do AS much or more for q re-
form rally. For this and FOR cO-opcra-
ton / am willing 10 talk and work free
in every county in tho state after No
vember 81. 1 have never asked for. not
held any public office, and never expect
10. W NJ EVANS
Amherst G. H., Va. September ,, 1896.