Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-15

already resorted 10 by my opponents, ana
this fact, with the further TACT mat my
right TO become candidate IN ms COZ
test has been questioned, ana I'D we" VI
the further fact that the people are can
ing for all the light they can get on me
subject / have decided 70 appear DeloIS
you to-day so that my own attitude anu
the whole situation may be understood.
Let me take for instance this Wingheid
interview and show to you the necessity
for truth TO find mouth ana 4or
authoritative statements 10 come from
me at this time before all the people
before all the world.
WINGFIELD INTERVIEW.
Here. Governor Tyler took up the
Winefield interview and disposed OF II as
published in the papers OF last Wt-N'
Continuing. he said.
Now. as TO my right TO become can
didate at this time, beg 10 say 10 you
that while it must be gratifying TO any
man TO aChieVel again one of the highest
offices I'm the gift Of as noble people as
the Virginia people. yet this nght IN
which l am engaged now Is not OF my
seeking. Surely. it Is puerile IN any
man to say that ] should serve out my
term before coming before the people
for another place, for no such rule mas
ever maintained in representative gov
eminent. This rule would preclude my
opponent from entering this present
fight one might just as well say that
be should serve out his term IN the
United states Senate before seeking an
other. One might just as wei say that
the President OF the United states sno4i ~,
serve out his term before allowing ms
name to be mentioned for re-electlOa.
As the Governor Of this COmmOnWeal lh,
l hold a commission from the people
NV opponent holds Ike commission.
As serving the interests Of the people,
1 have a right TO report 10 them and II
il is their will 10 change the nature OF
the services that i may render, who mas
a right 10 question it, If II is not tne
will Of the people of Virginia, after
fuU fair. and free discussion of the
present situation in this state, then l
shall most cheerfully ana Loyalty DOW 10
their decision. And this brings me, nere'
AT the very OuSet to a discussion OF one
of the questions at issue between my
supporters in this contest and those VINO
are opposed 20 me. IL Is, Shall the VIII
of the peopl, be ought IA the elecuoh 9l
United STATES senator's, or snail tnlS
thing be done in corner IL Is true the
Constitution of the United states pro-
vides that the Legislature Of the State
shall choose United states senator's, ana
there has been a great deal written and
said upon the subject by the wisest meh
of the nation. who have taken sides
either for or against this proposition. I'm
ID CONSTITUTIONAL the wisdom of the
founders Of our governmental was
deemed best 10 leave the selection 20
the legislators. and I'm our purer and BET
ter days IL may be admitted that this
plan was the best. But since we have
fallen upon more evil days. conditions
have changed, ana IT well behooyes us
10 consider the question as whether or
not a change is desirable or necessary.
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S
This provision Of the Constitution has
certainly proved a weak place in the
armOr OF defence between the rights and
liberties of the people and the gasping
selhshncss of corporate power. We have
had enough spectacles presented 10 as
I'm the action of the States of this Union
within the last twelve months which
should serve, and has served, To open the
eyes OF the people OF the country. Some
twelve or fourteen states within the past
twelve months have chosen United States
senators, and in several Of them where
certain rings and sO-cdlled political
bosses could not control the LEGISLATURE.
then dead-lOcks were formed and forced,
and the legislatures adjourned without
making a choice, and those States are
with but One-half representation in that
important body to-day. In several OF
these States Investigations have been or
dcrcd as to the methods used 10 secure
the election of senator's SO Objectionable
has the system become that some
tWenty-seVen legislatures out OF forty
five have asked, by resolution and petit
ton, change in this mode OF electing
senators. But the Senate persiStenuy
refuses TO take up the question, ana
straugles the measure in committees,
and il is getting more ana more 10 be
the order OF the day that tins present
method turns up at Washington class
of senators who are either millionaires
themselves, or the representative OF
great aggregated wealth. ana power, anu
there is "A long list OF shameful transac-
tions 10 the credit Of the States Of this
Union growing out of this very thing.
one man is elected senator from dis
tant state while actually living IN New
York. and IL is said has an income OF
900 a year. a State senator. during
one of these senatorial contests IN
ON. of the States. took from his POCKET
Thirty 81 900 bills which he said had been
given him for three votes in the Legisla-
furc I'm Delaware, Nj. Addicks has
three times dead-lockod the Legislature
of his state I'm the selection OF senator
because he has found ne can BUY up
weak men like sheep IN shambies ana
that they will follow the string mat Is
fastened in their collars and held IN ms
hands In the Fifty-sccOnd Congress a
resolution was offered by Mr.. Tucker, OF
Virginia. and supported by Mr.. Nlllian
Jennings bryan. of Nebraska, proposing
constitutional amendment on TINS sud
iect In the Fifty-third and rhythm
congresses similar resolutions were
offered and passed.
THE MACHINE"
what is il that has made this
suDject so obnoxious, 50 Objection
.aDle. so continually the subject OF
resolution and petition by the various
states? IT Is simply because IT il one
ciief and prolific source of creating the
modern political boss and of inviting
ringwork in politics. 1t is the one place
where the corporations, trusts, and COM
hines can checkmate with easiest methods
ana least expense any and all measures
for the relief of the people and build up
Tor themselves an oligarchy That VIII ~
very way serve their purposes. The
rrocticaI workings OF the present method
~ electing senators is not for the people
A. select n legislator and for that lesis-
~ tor IA elect a senator, but the senator,
,rben they get the reins OF pohtical
noy,er In their hands. selects the legisia-
IT,, and the said legislator then puts III
80 vote for the senatOr-the very man
Tho Told him he could run, thus con
@rmina the will Of the bosses Dy hanlins
,hom for the United States Senate chan,-
nnr Ibe wheels OF the machine Wofh
sonoou,bat after this order: These com
lines and moneyed powers nix on = GER
an man and he H. generally one Oh lhcii
sttnrnevs n man who handles their re-
tainers and. usually. he himsei Is NSiy
little less than a millionaire. Lct us ,ns ~
cali this man Mr.. Blank. ne - pu' ~
training and thoroughly posted as TO me
route he Is 10 take and the means Il. -
10 employ. In the first place, ne Inust p s
,ota - ,viIl be necessary for MIN 10 DC Oh
the State Committee. either as us cnai
man or the head OF the Finance ''"'"-