The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-20
REPUBLICAN ADDRESS.
The state Committee Gives It's Reasons for
Not Nominating Ticket,


LYNChBURG. Va, August l9.-The adj
dress of The Republican Committee OF
Virginia, which was made public la@I
night starts cut as follows.
TO tho ReD1 hiican Voters OF virginia:
The StAtD Committee OF the hepubli-
can parry W Virginia, az meeting held
I'm the city OF LynChburg on August rs,
1891, having Dy a vote Of ~ 10 decided
that IL is ineXpedient for the Republican
party to hold convention for the noml-
nation OF a State ticket, feeling that the
Republican voters should understand the
reasons which prompted the committee
TO the conclusion reached, submit the fol-
lowing reasons Tor their action.
The committee remember with pride
ana satisfaction the loyal devotion OF the
Republicans all over the State during the
campaign OF 1896, which resulted In a tri-
umph Of our principles and the election OF
tour national Republican ticket Had the
ballots actually deposited for that ticket
in Virginia been counted, the victorious
column of Republican States would have
found the electoral vote OF our own State
side by side with those who gave an em-
phatic approval Of the principles Of sound
money and protection Of American labor.
The facts and figures are In the hands OF
the committee, demonstrating that the
. ballots frdudulently destroyed after they
hat been cast exceeded by thousands the
majority returned for the Democratic
electoral ticket.
The present election law Of the State
known as the Parker act. like its prede-
cessor, the Walton act was born IN sin.
conceived in inlqulty fOstered in fraud
and is being made the medium OF educat-
ing in ways that are dark thousands OF
our citizens who would look with abhOr-
renee on the same dcgre OF moral obhquity
applied TO their conduct I'm manipulating
elections were they confronted with the
proposition 10 descend 10 equal depths OF
iniquity in any other transaction or life
80 long as the present pretence OF
holding elections under color OF law
maintains within our borders, IL is worse
than folly 10 subject the voters OF our
party 70 the necessary loss and expendi-
ture or time and money essential 10 the
conduct OF campaign for state officers
Atter making reference 10 the cam
paien Of 1896 the address continues:
The only hope OF "a remedy for exist
ing evils lies In an ava kening OF the hon
est yeOmanry Of the Democratic portv 10
the iniqutous nature of our election lave
and the fraudulent purpose OF and prar-
tee under those laws. For u long time
they have supposed our complaints were
nor founded on fact and verified by expe-
rlence; but beginning 10 realize as thew
do, that Democratic victories are obtain
ed al the price OF bunting the morals
and debauohing the virtue OF the young
men Of tho COmmOnW ealth. the cry for
honest election laws is being swelled by
Il tlANi W. Ut AllNAnalIAn VIM AlsdEite Win
Us politically, but condemn, I'm the light
OF experience, what they condoned I'm
their ignorance Of the truth.
1t IS tine judgment OF the State Com
mittee. avoiding the acrimony and mini
MIXING the zeal which would be engender-
ed by placing a fun state ticket in Che
Held and connning ourselves 20 vigorous
efforts 10 secure the election OF a Legisla-
ture pledged 10 radical reforms in our
election laws. we shal strengthen the
bands Of those IN the Democratic ranks
who have already joined us I'm denuncia-
ton OF the present law and demand with
us the removal OF that foul blot upon The
honor and integrity az our State and her
people.
Furthermore, the committee is not
without well-fOunded reasons FOR the be
lief that this single issue may be en-
phiZed i'm ~ campaign by the forthcom-
ING Of a movement which will present the
opportunity OF our uniting our votes with
the advocates Of election reform in SUD
port Of "A candidate for Governor, Lieu
tenant-GovernOr and Attorney
who will occupy no uncertain position on
this all-imDOrtant question.
Under our plan ~ party organization
the committees Of the various counties
and cities have complete control OF the
matter OF the Legislative conventions and
nominations. and the state Committee
feels that our organization IN each Leg
isiative district With an eye single TO So
curing a repeal OF the present and the
enactment OF "a new election law. Will
take such action as seems most conducive
TO that end.