Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-06-17
More About "a Dangerous Combination -

An article styled "a Dangerous
Combination which appeared in our
editorial columns last week, has been
the subject Of some comment, and in
order that no injustice may be done,
we publish the following statement.
The article referred to reported COM
bination of Sheriffs of Virginia, and
we have been informed by our county
sheriff:
THAT no such organization exists,
that it was attempted but fell through
as most of the sheriffs were too poor to
attend the meeting. That no secret
meetings have been held, but occasion
ally some of the sheriffs would meet ut
a point and discuss matters of interest,
but not as combine, or organization;
that they have heretofore made an
effort to have what is known as the
SheriU's laaD repealed, and will contin-
ue efforts in that line, because they
believe that the sheriffs should be al
lowed to take prisoners to the peni-
Tertiary, but they will only ask that
they be allowed the same pay which
now goes to the superintendent of the
penitentiary for the same work.
1.-THE sheriff says that he nor his
deputies took any part in the last cleo
| ton in Middle River District against
Lieutenant Silas H. Walker, but says
that he did not like his vote against
the repeal of the bill in the last Legis'
lature, as they only lacked one vote OF
| defeating it. This he says caused the
| impression that the sheriffs worked
| against Mr.. Walker in the last cleo
ton. In justice to himself he says thai
he went to the polls at Hermitage
especially to vote for Mr.. Walker, ano
that his precinct was the only one tt
give him a majority in the district
He says he. will give any man $40 who
will produce him a single man whose
vote either he or his deputies sought tt
influence against Mr.. Walker"
We must admit that our heart beat
easier since we have been informed
that there is no organized combina
ton of sheriffs in Virginia. 1t make
no difference how little they ma.
want, how just may seem their de
mands, and how innocent the motive
of their organization if their had beel
one. we would have opposed it with al
the power we could command. w
had no feeling against any individual
in our effort at bringing out the fact
with regard to what the sheriffs wer
undertaking, certainly none agains
our own sheriff, but such an organize
ton would be fraught with SO man
dangers that we would have bee
compelled no matter what the conse
quences, to have assisted in its ovel
throw. No man can afford to belon
to that kind of compact, and no ma
can afford to be pressed by it for an
office. Every man may feel prou
possibly at being supported by tn
sheriff of his county, but not by
combination Of the sheriffs OF man
. counties. for the individual support {
sheriff has long and often been er
| joyed. and good sheriff possesses, c
ought to possess a great influence, bu
this is widely distinguished from
combination of sheriffs, and every on
familiar with combinations know .tha
they are formed for aggrandisemer
and profit. Such an one OF sheriff
would be new, and we think most dal
geroue, and should be prohibited b
public opinion, which is stronger tina
any statute law.