Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-20

gotten from headquarters through the
old. but disused. channels. But init
nation Is given out that Mr.. Blank has
some money. or some of his friends
have some. and that as he is n Very
strong party man himself and very lib
eral. that IL might do we'll to call on
him for help. SO. through some friend
1t Is generally arranged that the legis-
atiVe candidate is recommended.
He secures his election. is happy in his
victory. and when he goes 10 the State
Capitol the first thing he does is 10
visit the Headquarters Of the new. ris-
ing political leader and budding boss
THE SMART MAN.
He is graciously received ana modest
Is told not to mention his gratitude,
and becomes frequent visitor. drinks
fine wine, smokes Iiabana cigars. and
soon YOU hear him spoutiug ii around
that Mr.. Blank is the smartest man in
the state. and he ana all other wor-
shippers ut the shrine OF this new
found political force unite in proclaim
ing him the greatest political organ
izer of the country. He is heralded as
the victor of all political battles, and
it makes no difference whether he was
quite non-Committal, inactive. or even
in the ranks of the opposition. he is
proclaimed and published as the man
who has elected all candidates and Sc
1,
man who accompiiShes all things. in
Guiding the naming of the presidential
candidate, the creator of the last gov
ernor. the puttcr forth of senator's and
congressman, the selection OF Judges.
the naming of other State officers: all.
all. was the work of his hands, and in
the future every office is to be filed
according to his good pleasure. In
other words such phrases become the
by-word of the boys in the alley, like
that In New York. when a man wants
anything, the answer is to see Platt."
When this much progress has been
made, then the conditions are ripe, for
the formation OF an oniceholders trust.
and all officers to be elected by the Leg
islature are made to believe if they
want to hold their places they had bet
ter see Mr.. Blank; and so one by one
they put their fortunes into the pool.
Their mite of power is added to the
sum total, and there is a tacit. but
binding, agreement for all to stand to-
gcther. The time to elect another Leg
isla,ure comes around, the same pros
cess les gone through with. and then,
when one after another is elected. thiA
member, and that one has been helped
in his election, and even the shame
grows so great that written cXactions
of promise OF reciprocity are signed.
MIR. Blank helped you in your dire ne
And. alas, too often, too often, men be
gin TO wake up for the first time to
realize ;Eat the money that was given
to help them ia their canvass was no;
given from loyal. disinterCsted purposes
TO help along great political principles,
but to put personal. pecunary obliSa-
ton on the candidate that secured the
money in order to exact personal and
partisan help in behalf of Mr.. Blank.
Oh shades of tho departel spirits
of the noble past! can You look down
on such transactions and not veil
your faces in shame? Those things 20
on. an Office holders trust is formed
the ring is made, the money is given
and taken, and there is no turning
back and now. further deals are de-
manded. of intimidation is resortcd to-
III some of the States Of this Union,
by threat and intimidation the whip
handle Of ring power is held over even
judges OF the courts, over the county
and district officers.