Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-06
SIXTEEN PAGES
SUNDAY. AUGUST C. 1889.
MIR. MARTIN MUST EXPLAIN,

There was only brief period in the
history of Virginia when there was the
least danger to the predomincnce of
Democracy in this state and that was
from 1879 to 1854. when Fitzhugh Lee
redeemed the Commonwealth by can
vass illustrated by all the qualities in
leadership that arouse enthusiasm and
confidence in followers. both in peace
and war. That fear was more imagi-
nary than real. for the movement for
Reimbursement grew out of Lissens!ons
among Democrats on local question,
the Readjusters still remained Nir-
ginians, Democrats and eX-Confeder-
ates and they held control vt The move
ment from beginning to end, when the
Democracy regaincd ascendency by re-
pairing it's errors and removing the ORR
ginal cause of division among the peo-
ple.
We have been told. however. that
money and corporate power have since
then come to the rescue ana saved the
State! From what? From whom?
AS far as we have been able to see ana
understand money and corporate pow
err. on the whole, so far as they have
taken part in politics. have done so In
favor of the Republican party, except
during the Cleveland upostacy. when
the administration at Washington, at
least. out-Heroded Herod and ut-did
the Republican party by it's prostration
to all that the Republican party stood
for. and by an u,ter abandonment OF
all essential principles that constituted
Democracy. Even the Cleveland free
trade was IL fraud. only slightly chang
ing its schedules to meet the views of
preferred and favorltc beneflciarics.
while as the enemy OF silver ana the
champion Of gold. ii did all it could
to carry out the policy OF the secret
consprators. here and abroad, who fas-
tened the act of February -. 1873. upon
us. demonstrating silver metal. contract
ing the currency and leaving free ana
unlimited coinage to gold only. Cleve-
land. indeed. was so jealous Il goldite
that he called Il special session of CON
gress for the sole purpose Of repeating
the silver purchasing ana coinage
clause Of the act of 1873. and ondeavor-
ed to establish the gold standard
Never. at any time. has Democracy
IN Virginia needed money and corpor-
ate power and influence to maintain lis
supremacy. We scorn the inputatlon
The people and Democracy have al
ways been equal to every occasion.
where its party managers have not
given the people good reason to sus-
pect them of Intriguing with money,
and corporate power against the pub
lie interests: and it is certain that
these selfish factors have never inter
fered for good or bad in the affairs Of
the party withou; a design of control
ling it for their special benefit. Never.
Yet, in this very contest inside the
party for reform in The election or
choice of United States Senators. we
are loudly assured tina. the party badly
needed campaign fund in 1893. and
that Mr.. Martin was the only man
with influence and public spirit.
enough TO provide it! How is ;hat? we
all heard enough about the money att
the time. but the people did not nnd
themselves in any straits at all IL
was said, however, that certain candi-
dates lin every case persona prata"
to the corporations) did receive assist
ance TO secure their nominations.
Whether the contract in these cases
was expressed or implied, we do not
know. but there was at first some mis-
understanding about the application
of the corporation subsidies and who
should disburse them, which was soon
rectifled by an agreement between the
corporation almoner and the chairman
of the party and its INDECENT candi-
dates.
It Is claimed by his advocates that
Mr.. Martin obtained this aid for Demo-