Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-12

Ii seems that the circular 10 which we
referred in Thursdays issue has certain
ly been issued, and the following is a
copy Of it:
Richmond, Va. December 3, 1896.
Dear Sir: The cause OF Sound Money
has triumphed. and the financial issue has
been settled by an overwhelming popular
vote of the people of the United States
against free silver.
The other great issue. however in this
State. of Honest Elections remains un-
settled and the open and fraudulent de-
fance of the peoples will in many sec
tions Of this State on election day is I'M
reproved and unpublished.
II is impossible TO overestimate the i'm
portance of continuing the fight for honest
elections in which we have embarked, and
il becomes imperative for the Virginia
League for Sound Money and Honest
Elections TO place the organization upon
permanent and substantial basis, and TO
push 1t with renewed vigor. until 1t has
covered the entire State. 4
This league has formulated its plans
for the fight which is before II, ana no
time should be lost in pressing them with
all possible energy while the memory OF
election frauds is fresh in the minds OF
the people. and their revulsion against
corrupt methods is vivid and pronounced.
NO unbldStQ C4llLtH WiloeNNNA mo f~'A
tics may be- can doubt that the majority
of the voters of this State, who exercised
the right of suffrage on election day were
against Mr.. Bryan and the Chicago plat
form, and yet. by unlawful. hagrant, ana
corrupt practices of election boards, regis
trars. and judges, the will OF the MAORI
" Of the voters of Virginia has been
ruthlessly overthrown.
II f. now proposed by this league TO
he
local leagues throughout the State, and
an addition thereto TO ask that every
citizen Of Virginia who Is in favor or
honest elections enroll himself as MEM
Der of this organization, and thus give
lIs countenance and support to the Sound
Money and Honest Election League OF
Virginia.
suitable blanks for signatures will be
furnished upon application to the Secre-
fairy of the State League, or to the secre-
tary of the nearest local league. from
either of whom fun information can Sc
obtained.
Shall the people of Virginia longer suf-
fer it's fair name to be stained by cor
ruption and fraud, or shall they, by Wig
orous methods. protect the Suffrage ana
guard the rights and liberties or the citi-
zen? Respectfully
F. T. GLASGOW, President:
A. Il. GUIGON. Gen. Attorney.
John r. West. Secretary.
IJnimportant variations excepted, this
IS the same circular that was put forth
a few days after the election. 1t was
then so generally condemned by the bust
ness community. we had thought no fur
Their effort would be made to distribute
II. But not so; 1t has been reprinted,
freshly dated, and is now being addressed
10 well-known citizens throughout the
State.
The organization which has sent out this
circular is composed largely Of business
men of Richmond and Henrico. 1t would
seem that these prefer political agitation
and controversy rather than peace and
ouiet. else they would not force com
harrison Of Hanna's methods with Demo-
cratic methods nearly year in advance
NJ any election at which the sense of
The people can be taken upon the ques-
lions at issue.
Observe that this appeal Is not ad-
dressed to the democrats Of Virginia"
but to every citizen OF Virginia who is
in favor OF honest elections" etc. In
deed. the movement is endorsed in inter
views published in the State newspaper
of Thursday afternoon by Judge Waddil,
treasurer Of the Republican Campaign
Committee, and McKinley's closest friend
in Virginia: Nick Smith. the chairman OF
the City Republican Committee, and Nor
gan Treat, tile candidate for Republican
elector IN this district
In short, we have here. In It's formative
stage. a party 10 contest with the Demo-
Gratis the elections OF next fall. SO, who
ever joins this organization may as well
know now as later on that he Is falling
into lire with an opposition party.
There must be something more than
"honest elections behind this movement,
because II is well known that toe State
Senate win be Democratic for some years
10 come. Hence. no one who really hopes
for changes in election methods can ex-
pect success by antagonizing the only
party which will have II I'm its power
20 legislate for our people.
However. we do not care to 20 into q
raised by this circular
First, we wish to know II II Is really
true that the league speaks for any con-
siderable number OF the business men Of
Richmond? We should like 10 know ~
II Is the Judgment OF these businessmen
shsf politics should be pushed with re-