The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-17
SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER i, 1890.
nENloCKAIIc ALARM.

There is a cry Of alarm from certain
quarters in the Democratic party. IL is
said that there is mutiny I'm the camp.
that influences are at work ''to feed tho
spirit or political brigandage' 70 create
assortment IN the ranks, and to disrupt
the organization. Indeed. there are those
who say that unless something be done
IN put down rebellion, an opposition party
will spring up and Virginia will be forced
IN pas through another ordeal Of Malone
ism
The alarm Is not groundless and The
warning has come none too soon,
hut. in our opinion. So IS not properly di-
rected. There is a disposition 70 discipline
the Disconnected and 10 stine their cry
but the remedy is not here When the
stream is foul # does no good TO hide
the waters from public view. and to keep
them from murmuring. The remedy If
II be effective. must be applied at the
spring.
Governor Tyler declares openly and
boldly that there Is an ofiicc-holders trust
in Virginia. and that the politics Of this
state Is dominated by a ring. He says
that the man who would be elected 20
office must consult the ring, and not the
people # he would succeed This ie equiv
alent 10 saying that the ofIice-holders Of
Virginia are elected by tho trust and not
by the people This IS grave charge.
and the more so as coming from tho Chief
Executive officer OF this State. and one
of the favorite leaders OF the Democratic
party. Gov. Tyler IS an honest man,
man Of high character a most amiable
man. and it is inconceiyable that he would
bring this charge against his own party
unless he had indisputable proof Of his
assertion.
But this Is not an. State Senator w. p
Barksdale. o. Halifax county. I'm q public
interview the other day. said that money
was freely used in his county IN the pur-
chase OF votes. and that the abuse had
gone TO such an extent as that it was his
determination TO Introduce a bin in the
next Legislature 70 prevent bribery In
elections. This becomes the more signih-
cant when It is remembered that Senator
Barksdale was not referring 20 regular
elections. but to primary elections within
the party. In other words, he saws that
in contests within the party ranks be-
tween Democrats for the nomination mon
ey is used 'unblushingly," as he puts
f. 10 Lac f1fl
that. And so party leaders are employing
means TO debauch their own party assoc
GATES! There is no question of the negro
in this. and the usual plea-the fear of
negro domlnatlon-cannot be offered ia
palliatlon Of the onensc
Or. r. s Powell. a leading Democrat
IN Brunswick county and who has rep
resented his county ln the Virginia Leg
isiature. has come out as an independent
candidate because as he alleges. the DEM
cratic convention was farce 81
learn" he says. that whlskey 10 debauch
and money "a hrlhe and corrupt were
freeley used al nearly an Of the precincts
These methods SO incensed many OF the
honest and true Democrats Of the county
that they held "a mass meeting az Law
renceyille on the 25th day OF August. and
nominated me 10 lead the tight against
corruption and injustice" And he adds
In the beginning the executive COM
mittee was asked 20 allow the people 20
hold a primary 20 see who the people
wanted 20 represent thom IN House OF
Delegates and who they wanted for
United States Senator. The seif-c0nsti-
tuied masters Of the people said mo-. Tn
less this little cotefie Of ringsters relax
IN their methods they VIII Doe trampied
under foot by the steady and certain
march N an indignant Democratic host
IN quest Of their SOVEREIGN rights
We have singled out these fcw examples
from the mass Of testimony which has
appeared IN the press OF Virginia during
ths past several months. We could quote
from the Roanoke Times. from the Nor
folk Landmark from the Norfolk Ledger
the Rockbridge News. the South Boston
News. from the Brunswick Gazette and
from various other reputable newspapers
in tho state 20 substantiate these charges.
Well may the party leaders be alarmed.
There is "mutiny in The camp" II the reg
uiars prefer that term. Il Is not. how
ever, the mutiny of a few malcontenis.
but rather the indignation OF a host OF
independent Virginia Democrats who have
ysksd Up 10 tho fact that the politics