Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-09-07
THE REPUBLICAN, ADDRESS.
Advice of the State Executive Com
mittee.

The address referred to in yesterday
News as having been given out by th'
Republican State Executive COMMITTEES
at Richmond Monday, is as follows:
To the Republican County and City
Chairmen and Republican Voters Of
Virginia:
Some weeks ago there was addressed to
each member of the Republican State
Committee circular letter asking their
views as to the proper policy to be pur'
sued by our party in the present legisla-
tive campaign.
There are twenty eight members of the
State Committee, and replies have been
received from twentyfour Of them.
anty-two Of that number agree that We
should not make nomination for the leg
islature in any county or district of the
State.
In obedience, therefore, to the senti.
nent thus expressed, and in accordance
with the firm convictions of each and
every member Of your Stale Executive
Committee, this day met i'll the city Of
Richmond, we concluded to advise coun-
ty and city chairmen and Republican vot.
ers that no steps should be taken looking
to the nomination of Republican candi-
dates for the legislature.
With the present election law, and ex
perience of its practical application and
the working thereof, in the hands of the
Democratic machine, we do not suppose
any Republican voter in Virginia believes
that we could be factor in changing the
existing election laws.
Under the blighting auspices of the
present regime the great name of our
time. honored Commonwealth has been
brought into dIsrepute, and the disgrace
that mantles the cheek Of every honest
Virglnian as the result of our so-called
elections is to lie laid at the door and
charged to the methods of the party in
power.
For years our elections In this State
under the pretended forms of law have
been miserable farces, and the honest
voters of Virginia who are opposed to un.
fair elections and dishonest methods have
been powerless to give expression to their
will. The dice have been loaded against
them; they are simply bound hand and
foot, and if relief is to be expected, it
must come through honest Democrats who
may revolt against the infamy Of the pres
ent system.
1t is hoped that dissatisfaction with the
present law is more widespread within the
Democratic ranks and among members of
that party than is known to Republicans.
The Republicans of Virginia have long
suffered by the practical application of
this infamous law, and are convinced that
the future welfare and the material inter
ests Of the State demand the restoration of
that old.t time freedom Of the ballot when
it expressed the will of the legal voter,
and it is believed to be good policy on the
part of the Republicans not to make nom-
nations Or run candidates anywhere, but
to unite as one man in throwing their
strength to such candidates as will pledge
themselves to work and vote for fair,
honest, and bipartisan election law.
1t is conceded that the making of nomi-
nations for the General Assembly is to be
finally decided by the several district and
county committees for themselves, and
this letter is to be regarded only as rec
ommendation or suggestion.
Very respectfully,
PARK AGNEw,
Chairman
JAMES D. BRADY,
STITH BOILING,
S. Brown ALLEN,
J. l.. GLEAyEs,
Executive Committee.