The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-05
Special 20 Tie Pest.

| Special TO TIE Pest
! Richmond. Sept. 4-Mr. Park Agnew,
/ chairman OF the State executive commit
| tee OF the Republican party in this State.
| to-day issued an address TO the county
and city chairmen OF Virginia, in which
| he advises them TO take no steps looking
| TO the nomination OF Republican candi-
dates for the Legislature The address,
which is signed by all the members OF
] the executive committee, as well as Mr.
| Agnew, states that honest voters realize
the dice have been loaded against
Them" and that they are simply bound
/ hand and foot. The address in full fol-
! lows:
To the Republican County and City Chairmen ami
Republican Voters OF Virginia:
Some weeks ago there was addressed 20 each mem
Der Of the Republican State committee a circular
letter asking their views 80 10 the proper policy 70
be pursued by or party in the present legislative
campaign
There are twenty-eight members of the state COM
niitee, and replies have been received from twenty
four OF them Twenty-Five OF that number agree
that We should not make a nomination for the leg
islature in any county district of the state
In obedience therefore. 20 the sentiment thus
pressed and in accordance with the firm convictions
OF each and every memoer Of your State executive
committee, this day met in the city OF Richmond
we concluded to advise county and city chalrmen
and Republican voters that steps should be taken
looking TO the nomination OF Republican candidates
for the legislature
With the present election Law and experisnee OF
its practical application and the working thereof In
the hands of tie Democratic machine. We co not
suppose any Republican voter in Virginia believes
that We could be factor In changing the existing
election laws
Disgrace Of the Commonwealth.
Under the blgttng auspices OF the present regime
the great name Of time-honored Commonwealth
has been brought into disrepute and the disgrace
that nantes the cheek of every honest virginian as
the result of so-caed elections is TO be laid at
the door and charged TO the methods OF the party in
power.
For years cur elections in this State. under sbe
pretended forms OF law have been miserable farces
and the honest voters Of Virginia who are opposed
TO unfair elections and dishonest methods have been
Poweriess TO give expression TO their will The
dice have been loaded against them-they are sim
ply bound hand and foot and II relief Is to be ex-
pected II must come through honest Democrats who
may revolt against the namy of the present system
II Is hoped that dissatisfaction with the present
law is more widespread within the Democratic ranks
and among members Of that party than is known 10
Republicans.
The Republicans Of Virginia have long suffered ~
the practical application Of this Infamous law
AID are convinced that the future welfare ard the
material interests Of the State demand the restora-
tion OF that od-tme freedom Of The ballot when
1t expressed the will Of the legal voter ard 4 Is
believed TO be good policy the part OF tie Re-
publicans not to make nominations or run csndi-
dates anywhere, but 70 unite as one man in throw
ing their strength to such candidates as will pledge
themselves to work and vote for fair, bonest and
non-partisan election law.
II is c0ncef@d that the making OF nominations
for the general assembly is 10 be finally decided Ly
the several district and county committees for them
selves. and this letter is to be regarded only as
recommendation or suggestion. Very respectfully.
PARK AGNEW.
Chairman
JAMES d. BRADY.
STITH BOILING
5. BROWN ALLEN.
J. L. GLEAVES
Executive Committee
Just what effect this attitude OF the
Republicans will have II is hard TO pre-
dict at this early date. There has already
been much talk of the many petty fac
tional fights In various Democratic coun-
ties, where the feeling engenGered by the
Senatorial contest has been very strong.
In several sections independent" Dem
ocrats have declared their intention OF
running against the regular nominees
Perhaps, now that the fear of Republican
interference is removed, the Democratic
indictments may become more vigorous
than ever.