The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-30


respects upon the original act. and as II
was too late for any better bill 10 pass,
! approved IL.
From that time forward I heard more
and more changes and complaints. and
the demand for a change became so strong
that last fall in some Of the counties,
Democratic candidates for the Legisla-
turc were required 10 pledge themselves
10 do all in their power 10 have the
statute so amended as ITO throw greater
safeguards around the ballot and secure
falrer elections" as expressed In some
OF the meetings.
My last message was prepared under
entirely different circumstances from
those that existed when my first was
submitted. In 1895 no charges or COM
plants against the operation OF the law
had reached me In 1897 the air was
burdene1 with them. 7 was aware OF
the opposition which Senator Hay and
other Senator's. as well as members or
the House Democrats. POpulists. and
Republicans. had manifested In the ses-
sion OF 1866 Of the General Assembly.
and had learned from every quarter that
there was "A dcep-seated repugnance TO
the system With all this information I
would. indeed. have been recreant TO my
high trust. II had not declared that
'the new law had proved a failure and
should be amended. retaining what Is
good and discarding what Is bad In It,
As ] have stated my attention was
first directed 10 the dissatisfaction with
the law By Senator Hay and 7 was first
impressed with its dangers by the attacks
which he and other Democratic Senators
and delegates made upon Il IN 1S95-'9G.
Now because I allowed his views and
those Of other members OF the two
Houses coupled with information from
various sources. 20 influence me 20 re-
commend an emblem ballot and an easy
process Of marking. just as he provided
in his bill Is. T. 76 taking the Maryland
Statute as his model. from his dignhed
place az a Virginia representative in Con-
gress. he speaks OF me I'm dersive terms.
As a censor he takes tho prize. Having
renowned his gold proclivites. he con-
dennis all with whom he once agreed and
who have stood firm. and having re-
nounced his former views as 10 the Nir-
ginia election law he pOurs Goals OF fire
on my head because my views now are
what his were two short wears ago. This
is the sort Of man he is
Mr. Editor. my record as a member for
five terms Of the Election Committee OF
the House OF Representatives will sus-
tain the statement that ! have never
failed TO condemn improper election laws
and methods. no matter by what party
they were enacted or praciiced.
Permit me in conclusion 20 say. that as
to the prediction Of Representative Hay
that my political career is ended. am not
at all concerned. Thirty years public SER
vice by man Of my age in an endorse
ment upon which 7 can well afford 10 re-
tire 10 private life. II l had permitted
personal considerations 10 shape my
course in 1896 and had like Representative
Hay changed nv position on the money
question. and had returned 10 my old
Congressional district. perhaps the place
that knows him now would not know
him after the expiration Of his present
term. Let the gentleman possess his soul
IN peace I am not troubled over my po-
litcal status. Since I was elected Gov
ernor I have aspred to no office. The
Executive Chair is the highest honor
virginia can confer there is no promotion
from It: 7 am observing with some
curiosity the trend OF certain political
leaders Of the new Democracy. 7 am
wondering how far they will go. where
they will land.
This is my diversion from business
matters
Permit me before closing 10 say that
while ] am but "a looker-on In Vienna"
and desire 10 pursue the even tenor OF
private life. the day of submission 10
Misrepresentation Is past. Circumstances
have required ire 20 submit TO much I'm
the last two wears but they no longer
exist. But 7 do not mean 10 say that I
shall notice everything that may be writ
ten or said about me 7 shall consider the
nature OF the statement and source. and
bear IN mind the maxim. ode mlnimis
non curatur" and that time IS too pre-
cOus TO be FILTERED away on Insignificant
persons and things.
CHARLES T. O'FERRALL.
Richmond Va. March %. 1875.
SENATOR HAYS ELECTION BILLS
Senate Bill No. "a bill entitled an
act 10 repeal sections T. and II Of an act
20 provide for the method Of voting by
ballot. approved March 6. 1894 Patron.
Mr.. Hay. Referred 10 Committee on
Privileges and ELECTORS.
BE It enacted by the General Assembly
OF Virginia That section fifteen and
seventeen OF an act 10 provide for the
method Of voting By ballot approved
March 9Th. 1894. be, and the same are
hereby reported.
This act shall be IN force from It's pas
sage.
Senate bill No. ia bill entitled an
act TO amend sections 2, and ii Of an
act entitled an act 10 provide for
method OF voting by ballot, approved
March 6. 1Saf
Patron. Mr.. Hay Referred 10 Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections
BE Il enacted by tho General Assembly
OF Virginia. That sections three five and
eleven Of an act entitled an act 10 pro-
vide for the method OF voting by ballot
be amended and re-enacted so as 10 read
as follows:
Section 3. The ballot shall be a white
paper ticket. containing the names OF
the persons who have complied with the
provisions Of this act az hereinafter pro-
vlded and each ticket shall bear as
many separate parallel columns OF the
same width. two and one-half inches
widee. as there are political parties or
organizations participating in the cleo
ton. Each column shall be headed
with the names OF each party and one
column for Independent candidates-that
is one column shall be headed Demo
cratic candidates. another Republican
candidates and so on and I'm these sepa-
rate columns shall be printed the seve-
raj offices 10 be filled, and under each
office the name OF the party nominee
and the order Of printing the tickets
shall be precisely the same on each and
all OF the tickets printed. including
circle not less than two inches In dia-
meter. printed next and underneath the
name OF the party: and each ticket so
printed shall bear and have printed upon
II lust above the name OF each party
device 10 he chosen by the State chair
man OF each party participating 3 the
election. which device must he chosen
H.N-