The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-20
VIRGINIA ARRAIGNED.

VIRGINIA ARRAIGNED.
In reading the speech OF Representative
i. ID. Crumpacker on Indiana, IN the
Thorp-Epes contested election case from
tho Fourth district Of Virginia. We can
not but be struck with the fact that Mr..
Crumpacl,er addresses his remarks more
to the opportunities for fraud under the
virginia election law than 10 the actual
acts Of fra"G.
lie pointed out that the election machin-
cry En- 1876 was absolutely and entirely IN
the hands of the Democratic party; that
I'm The Fourth Congressional district every
member of every one Of the electoral
boards was a partisan Democrat, many
of them being taken from the Democratic
party organization; that every registrar
in the Fourth Congressional district was
a Democrat: that the tickets were all
printed by Democratic printers that the
utmost secrecy as 10 the prepared ballot
was observed, and that no one, except
the printers and the electoral board, knew
"a thing about The official ballot, about
IT'S appearance its arrangement, or its
contents until it was handed out at the
voting place to the elector when he goes
to cast his ballot.
He pointed out that It is not necessary
that convention be held and nomina-
ton made i'm order to get the name Of
n candidate on the ballot that no petition
is necessary. that the board can absolute
ly put any name on the ballot that they
please without any previous requirement
or condition. the requirement of the
statute being that any elector may by a
request in writing. properly witnessed,
and sent TO the Secretary of state. have
his name placed upon the official ballot
az candidate for Congress.
Tle then pointed out that under this
provision the name Of one }. l.. Thorp
appeared as a candidate. that Thorn was
an obscure person whom nobody would
have voted for. and that his name was
put upon the ballot for the acknowledged
purpose Of deceiying the voters OF th'
district.
lie pointed ont that the judges OF cleo
tior are an chosen by the partisan cleo
toral boards. ana that while the law pro-
yldcs that there shall DE minority repre-
sentation on the board of election ofi-
GERS IL provides also that il this require
ment is not observed, it shall not in
validate an election.
Mr.. Crumpackor pointed out also how
difficult it is for an ignorant voter TO
prepare his ballot and how completely
I'm the hands of The Judge Of election he
is. when the judge of an opposite party
goes into the booth with the elector ana
scratches his ballot.
I'm concluding this part OF his speech
Mr.. Cumpacker declared that the Viz
ginia voting system was subversiye OF
free institutions. and added:
Now. Mr.. Speaker. ] think have de-
monstratcC the abundant opportunities
afforded by the Virginia law for the per-
petration Of fraud. There are men who
will resort to methods in politics that
they would despise In all other relations
I'm life. and particularly is that true whore
the dominant sentiment is that a higher
Jaw of civilization iustiies the accom-
plshment Of am end condemned by posi-
tive law. II elections can be conducted
fairly in the State Of Virginia under this
system. human nature is better there than
# is i'm Indiana or in Illinois or IN the
Northern states generally whore ali the
safeguards practicable are found neces-
sary."
We might so on and quote him as show
ing that in the sixth ward of the city
Of Petersburg. whore there were $50 col
ored voters and 500 white voters. the
white Mans Party emerged with a
majority OF % votes.
We might quote him as stating upon the
testimony OF Mr. Alexander Hamilton.
one of the most prominent lawyers OF
the city of Petersburg that when he APP
piled % the chairman Of the city E,ec-
toral Board FOR representation upon the
board Of election officers. and askec to
have witnesses az the canvass of the
vote. the chairman OF the board assured
him that the board proposed 10 count all
the votes cast for Palmer and Buckner.
but "as for the Republicans. what they
would do for them would be a plenty"
But 81 IS not our purpose 10 so into
these details We desire to show by the
speech of this congressman how the Vir-
ginia election law is regarded by out
slders. how utterly indefensible It is and
10 emphasize the fact which has been
pointed out by the Petersburg Index-Ap-
peal that under such a law giving every
possible advantage 10 one party the pre-
sumption Of fraud is so strong as 10
prejudice the case of the Democrat hold
ing certificate OF election before even
the trial has been had. IF elections can
be conducted fairly in the State of Vir-
glnla under this system" said Mr.. crum-