Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-18
THE 700 sIGNERS.


In discussing the 700 signers, the Rich
mond Times does not take the. pains
that It ought to take TO explain that
these gentlemen represent not only our
city. but the county of Henrico. II It
would DO 50. It would be seen that the
signers are a. 7cO TO 11.675. which was
the combined Democratic vote Of the
county and city in 1892, instead Of 200 to
1Ol3e. which was the Richmond Demo
cratic vote that year. The difference is
important as showing people who do not
live In this immediate locality that the
disafection OF Democrats in Richmond
IS not so great as otherwise might be
supposed.
And the Times leaves It to be inferred
that all OF the 100 are Democrats, whereas,
there are on that roll the names Of men
who probably, never have voted Demo
cratic ticket in presidential elections.
We say in presidential elections because
of late years in Richmond the largest
possible latitude has been allowed in our
municipal and State primaries, and near
~ all Of the Republicans here have par
tlcipated in them. Men that are now
prominent in Republican party manage
ment have voted at some OF our pri-
maries. In fact, it has only been at
presidential elections that party lines
have been closely drawn, and on sucn
occasions some Of the 100. as we are in
formed. have regularly voted the Repub-
lean ticket.
We have. however. never disputed that
The great majority Of the 200 are Demo
Gratis. and We have more than once
called especial attention TO the fact that
some Of them participated in our last
primary and then and there TOOK the
p.cdgs 10 support our nominees at the
coming election.
Nor can we agree with the Times that
no coercion was used TO secure sigma
lures 70 the 7o0 pledge. True, no force
was employed: no personal violence was
threatened. but still dependent employees
we're made 10 understand that 10 was TO
their intcrest-emphasi on interest-to
Sign the papers that their employers had
sgned Ia good time testimony on this
subject may be forthcoming. showing how,
in the twinkling Of an eye, as 1t We're
men who had been ardent supporters OF
Bryan were induced 10 sign pledge not
20 vote for him or for any one who sup
ports the Chicago platform.
A classification Of the signers Of the 700
pledge will show that the names gene
rally speaking are not names Of men
constituting the masses Of the people
but the names Of men in employments
the managers OF which are well-known 10
ne hostile TO Bryan and Sewal. We
have to lament that any such prac-
lice as this was ever introduced here
from the North. Never before have Nir-
Yinians been made 10 choose between the
dlsfavor Of their employers and voting or
not voting a particular ticket.
OF course. there are among the signers
many who occupy perfectly independent
positions In life, and who have acted from
their own conscientious convictions. These
convictions We respect. however mis-
taken We may think they are. We can
only regret that these Of our friends have
taken the course they have. We should
Ike for Richmond 10 continue TO be. as
u long has been the citadel Of De
mocracy in Virginia. We are sorry that
any Of our people should do what looks
as II our @ty meant to put itself in
sntagonism TO our brethren Of rural Vir-
!, ginia. We would better draw nearer 70
i ,hem th0n inch OF from them. But while
we recognizes that the disaffection here is
not inconsiderable. either In numbers or
personnei; while we know that vast sums
o. money are being brought from the
North 20 be used for the undoing OF the
Democratic party OF Richmond. we are
confident IN the belief that in the end
our party viii triumph here, and that
before the day Of election we shgil havs