Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-04
sATURDAY......FEBRUARY 4, 1895
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

County politics IN Virginia are becoming
lively. In all directions we hear the notes
Of preparation for the preliminary Skin
mishing. Candidates and county commit
tees are engrossed in discussing plans OF
nomipations. except in those counties
where it IL believed the best interests OF
the public will be served by allowing 'iree
fights"
The Democrats Of considerable num-
Der of counties have decided upon prl-
mary elections IN some cases the plans
therefor have been adopted and publish
cd. We have already mentioned that in
Louisa the nominations are TO be made
by a convention. but that the delegates
are 10 be appointed upon the basis of the
votes received by the candidates at
primary. This arrangement does not meet
with unanimous approval. and petitions
are being circulated among the voters OF
the county looking TO a change OF plan.
The petitioners. we believe, wish
"stralght-out'' primary and no convention
at all.
In Appomattox tho candidates have
held a meeting ana agreed upon pri-
mary-electon plan, which, il is not
doubted. the county committee will
adopt.
The AppomattoX primary is 10 be held
on the 29th Of April. and It's COS, VIII be
borne by the candidates. Only white
Democrats will be permitted TO vote. All
persons participating in the primary viii
be held to be bound TO support the ticket
nominated.
If we understand the plan the voting
So not to be by secret baiCL The plan
saws:
THAT the votes cast at said primary
be registered ON a paper 70 BE- ruled so
as 10 contain the name of voter no
column, and the names OF tic officers to-
gether at the head of separate columns;
and under the name of each candidate
voted for a mark ID shall BE- made 10 il
dicate the person voted FOR Toy each c.
fee That three judges snail be selected
for each vOtingplnce, who shall keep the
list OF votes. and count and certify The
result. and seal and send the same % the
courthouse where the whole shall De
opened and counted by the Executive
Committee and the result declared ly
them: and the candidate for each OfFCe
securing the highest number Of votes at
said primary shall be declared TO De the
Democratic candidate for said Office 10 be
voted for al the general election. The
papers or polls 10 be prepared by the
Executive Committee for the several
Voting-places. Each candidate who de-
sircs TO do so shall be permitted q have
a representative at each precinct 10 lock
after his interest"
\ plan OF this description has been used
here i'm Richmond upon special occasions.
In Culpeper county there is to be a pri-
mary under a plan the full details OF
which We are not acquainted with; but
from the last issue of the Exponent we
learn that the plan has a provision for
bidding the use of money or other things
OF value TO influence votes. \ person. in
order to be a candidate, must be qualified
10 vote i'm the primary. and in order to be
30 qualified he must be I'm a position 10
comply with the ninth section of the plan,
as follows:
In addition 20 challenges for other
causes, any clectOr shall have the right 10
challenge any person Offering TO vote,
upon the ground that he has given, or
offered 10 give, either directly or Indirect
ly, or has received, or offered 10 receive
money, or service. intended TO influence
the result OF the said election. or any
elector IN casting his ballot in said cleo
ton, or 10 influence any electOr 10 partici-
pate or 10 refuse 20 participate in sad
election. and may swear Witnesses and
may hear evidence on said challenge. and
may, II they choose, require the electors
50 challenged TO subscribe the following
oath. 20 wit:
Il DO sOlemnly swear and declare that
have not directly or indirectly received.
or offered 10 receive, or agreed 10 re-
ceiyc, any money. OF service. or whiskey,
or spirits. or other things of value, as a
consideration for changing my vote or
as an inducement for casting my vote in
this election or as an inducement for my
participation therein, or with intent TO in
fiuence the result of this election. or 20
affect myself or any elector In voting
therein. nor have l given. or offered 20
give, either directly or Indirectly 20 any
elector OF other person. any money or
service. or Whiskey. or spirits. or other
thing Of value. with such intent or pur-
pose. or TO Influence the casting Of any
ballot therein, or 10 induce any eector 10
participate therein. or to fail or TO refuse
10 participate therein And II he fails or
refuses TO subscribe thereto, or II the
Judges. or majority OF them are other
wise satisfied that the said challenge f.
true and should be sustained. they shall
so decide and decline 10 allow such cleo
tor 10 vote"
The Culpeper plan also requires Of all