The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-28
MIR. BARKSDALE
ON ELECTIONS
He Wants to Break Up
Use Of Money.
OMUCHCORRUPTl0N
The People, He Says, Want Fair Play
in Politics.
A HINT AS TO MACHINE RULE.
Virginia Should Profit by the Expert
cnces of Other States and Have no
Piatt and no Quay - National
Democratic Convention Co
Condemn Improper Use OF
Money in Elections.

The Barksdale bill to prohibit the inn
proper use Of money in elections is a
measure that is likely to attract q good
deal of attention when 1t comes up for
consideration.
Senator Barksdale has been asked by
several people not 10 press the measure.
He has offered his bill after careful
consideration Of the subject, and he is
determined 20 advocate its passage with
all the strength he possesses. Mr..
Barksdale is fully convinced that such
an act as that he has offered ought TO
pass lie said yesterday:
,That the use OF money in elections
is prevalent in Virginia cannot be de-
MED. That corrupt practices I'm the con-
duct Of elections have become alarming'
and threatens the best interests OF the
people. / am willing 10 affirm
Under these circumstances believe
II the duty of the Legislature TO attempt
10 remedy the evil. Where and when
ever there is a wrong there is. or should
be. a remedy 1 deny emphatically that
we are bound hand and foot and are un-
able to prevent the corruption of our
body-politic.
IGNORANT NOlEi
"It is idle 10 say that we have a large
class OF ignorant voters whose presence
i'm our electorate makes the gttempt dan
cerOus. IL Is never dangerous 10 any IN
dividual or party 10 do right whenever a
great question and public policy IS inVOlV-
eli Ignorance can never rule this country
in this enlightened age. Besides, would
rather be ruled by ignorance than corrup-
ton. There may be some virtue In the
one-tbere can be none in the other.
"The last Presidential campaign was
conducted upon the principle that money
could and would win. with the result tnat
the highest aud most honorable position IN
the gift an any people was bought aud
sold. To-day there are United States sen
ators with overwhelming evidence that
they owe their exalted positions 10 the
use OF money upon legislatures and peo-
pie. There was never "a time IN the his
tory Of this nation when the corrupt use
Of money was more fragrant or more uni
Versal
ALLEGED BOSSES.
Under such influences new unconsti-
tutioual and powerful office has been
created and a good many OF the great
States of this Union acknowledge subm's-
sion 10 ths power Of the boss Al the
dictation Of This extra unconstitutional
official legislatures bow in humble sub
mission and governors aud members or
the national Legislature trembie at his
frown
Pennsylvania has her Matt Quay New
Yorl, her Tom Platj, the nation its Mark
Hanna.
- would save Virginia from such as
these. 1t is useless TO so into details
II lis unne ecessary. If II becomes neces-
airy the deteils can be gone into but !
assert that there are officials In the Com
monwealth who owe their positions to
the lavish use Of money. I further as
sert that her best and most honorable
citizens are becoming Disguised with her
elections and the conduct thereof; that
some Of her best and purest citizens
have eschewed politics ana have been
virtually driven out Of public life
thereby.
II do not believe Virginia is any worse
In this particular than the other States
OF the Union. On The contrary, / be-
lieye she is better, but loving her glori-
ous past and cherishing the purity ,and
nobility OF character Of her Statesmen.
whose incorruptable integrity and broad
craftsmanship form the brightest pages
in the history of this land. | would save
her fair name from the common degra-
datiOn Of this d9y and hour.
HIS BILL
II do not pretend to believe that the
bill ! had the honor to Introduce IN the
Virginia Legislature will prevent al cor
ruptiou- 7 know the measure is not per-
feet, but do claim that IT r. a step IN
tho right direction. that IS enactment
into Law will be notice To the world That
..fll .frtf. h. nd
ideals Of her glorious past. has stepped
athwart the progress OF corruption. and
al last has attempted TO banish from her
soil brbers and bribery; that she has
officially declared that men, and not
money. shall rule within her borders.
1T is as certain as anything In the
future can be. that the next National
Democratic Convention win denounce the
methods of the last campaign and de-
clare for Il pure and uncorrupt ballot.
We viii denounce Hannaism I'm Ohio and
paitism in New YORK, and IN order 10 De
able to do this IN a way which will ap-
peal 10 the best and noblest sentiment
OF our day we must purify our own
elections.
Il believe fl to be the supreme duty
OF the legislature 10 90 deal with this
question as 10 stay the onward march
OF machine rule and corrupt practices
and preserve the fair name Of Virgin a,
pure and unspOtted, TO generations yet
unborn"
SEPARATE COACHES.
The Epps BIZ. 10 require ra.road com
panlcs to furnish se9erate coaches Tor
whites and blacks, viii considered by
the House Committee on Roads, OF which
Mr.. Pitcher is chairman, on the 9Th OF
January.
Delegate Epps said he wanted
evel yDOdy to nave a.aiIe notice OF ,ne
date. VIXEN the measure viii be discussed
in order that all VINO desire to appear for
o. against the hill may do so.
II have not sought 10 offer a bin harsh
in It's provisions" Mr.. Epps said 'On
the contrary. | have attempted to make
Il just as conservative as possible My
bill Is almost an exact copy OF the Ken
tucky law. which has stood the test OF
the courts"
Mr.. Epps has received many letters
commanding him for Offering this bill
ladies who have 10 travel without es-
oorts are especially anxious TO. see 1t
rs~sed