Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-17
SPOT THEM.

Word has come to the News from what
we regard as an entirely trustworthy
source that the Hannacrats in this state
who have been entrusted with the ma
nipulation of the Republican corruption
fund are seriously proposing to buy Nir-
sinias electoral vote for Mckinley oy
bribing judges Of election at certain pre-
cincts in various counties of the state.
Not long ago 1t was stated by the Phiia-
delphia Press. a Republican newspaper OF
wide reputation. that the "sound-mone.
camnatgn managers In Virginia had for
mulated plan to pay the judges or
election 10 make ar honest return OF the
votes cast" but the announcement was
not treated seriously because 1t was hard
ly credible that men of ordinary ntelll-
gence or integrity would seek by any such
nimsy disguise as that to depalch the
election officers Of a State. But our IN
formation is that the plan Indicated mas
been grayely discussed and agreed upon
IL this be true, there viii be interesting
times IN old Virginia s0on both for the
,niscreants who have devised such ras-
cality and fof any election officer VINO
NAV be knave or simpleton enough 10 be
n,red into tue trap Thievery is
thieyery. whether IL be decked with pious
pretences or appear in shameless naked
ness. Bribery is bribery whether II wear
the tawdry of a higher respectapihtY OF
he clothed in the ruder garb of ruiflani5nl
And II II shall be attempted In virginia 10
corrupt the election officers under the
miserable preteXt Of putting a premium
upon honesty, the political thiinDle-rls-
gers who engage In the business ought 10
be made 70 curse the day they were DORM
The Lynchburg News.
The information Of the News Is correct
Agents Of ingalls,, Hanna & Co. have been
going through the Southside counties lay
ing plans for using money upon the OH
GERS of election. Some of these agents
are professional detectives; some are we'll
known In this city; others are strangers
here. and we suspect that OF the latter
not a few are travelling under DISCUSSES
which will facilitate their object.
We entertain no doubt that the attempt
is 10 be made by them TO buy up large
number OF the officers Of election In VIZ
pinia, particularly in the southside and
Underwater sections.
Mr.. Creelman states that IL is expected
that .the honest-money' people will be
able 10 capture election officers in fifteen
counties. This correspondent of the
Worlds was recently on visit to Rich
mond. and while here was almost con-
stantly i'm the company OF Republicans
and their Democratic" allies. He easily
got into their secrets, and has told more
than he was expected TO tell. but we may
rely upon II that he did not invent the
story Of our enemy's purpose 20 pur-
chase the election officers in fifteen coun-
ties Of this state. No. On this point cor
roboratlve evidence comes from several
quarters.
Forewarned, forearmed. While we ut
terly disbeleye and repudiate the charge
40 often made by the Richmond Times
that large numbers OF our election officers
arc corrupt. II may be that here and there
a registrar or Judge Of election may yield
20 strong temptation, and hence the State
authorities should be on the look out for
such.
The State OF Virginia pays these officers
for their services. and they nave no right
10 receive money from the honest
money" men or any other men. Any such
money paid is paid in the nature OF
bride. and whoever receives II will rem
der himself liable TO the penalties OF the
law. Happily. our electoral boards are
clothed with discretionary powers. and we
cannot but believe they will be prompt to
deal with any officer whose conduct raises
the suspicion that he viii be unfaithfui
20 his trust. While repeating our belief
that OF the thousands Of election officers
in Virginia. few, indeed. win be found who
Will make themselves the servants OF the
faen who arc now about 10 d!sburse the
greatest corruption fund ever raised for
use IN any political campaign IN the
worlds history, our people must be cease