Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-01-17
THURSDAY, JANUARY II, 1901.
MACHINE RULE.

There can be no doubt that a large ma
ioritv of ;he Democrats in Virginia are
growing weary of machine or ring rule.
The recent exposure of letters sent out by
the Hon. Claude A. Swanson, who Is the
Machine candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor, has provoked
severe criticism from part of the Demo-
cratic press and many prominent men In
the party. Those letters disclose the
fact that Mr.. Swanson is the chosen can
didate of the Machine; that he is. sup
ported as such by the two United States
Senators from Virginia; seven of the ten
Representatives in the House; and that
it is their purpose, by the use of machine
methods, to defeat all other aspirants for
the distinguished honor which Mr.. Swan
son is so eagerly seeking. The patronage,
State and Federal, is strong weapon IN
the hands of the Machine; and it is patent
that it is to be used for all it is worth by
Swanson and his Supporters.
Gradually the better and more conser-
vative element of the Virginia Democracy
has become the slave of ring rule. When
Governor Tyler became candidate for
United States Senator against the ling
master, he boldly asserted that an "of-
fee holders trust" was ruling the Demo-
cratic party and dominating the politics
of the State. This was followed by de-
claratlon of one of the leading Democratic
papers that an "office holders despOtlsm"
was corrupting politics in Virginia and
trampling upon the liberties of the people.
The Machine has not renamed satisfied
with destroying Its political foes, but has
forged chains and riveted them upon the
limbs of those members of its own party
who are not numbered among the chosen
vessels of the Machine.
The time has arrived when the antlma-
chine Democrats will have to break the
letters that have been placed upon them
or submit to permanent enslavement by
those VITO, claiming to be their friends
have secretly deprived them of all power
or influence in the party. 1t may be thai
the anti.machine men have delayed toe
long. The organization of the Machine il
so complete and powerful that its over
throw can only be accomplished by very
great courage and energy on the part o
those who desire its defeat. Mr. Swan
son, in one of his letters that has beer
exposed in the public prints, says awe
are now organizing the State, and, from
assurances received from the leading anc
most successful public men in almost al
sections, am justified in believing that
will secure the nomination by hand
some majority. in the convention mex
year."
Who are "the most successful public
men in almost all sectione?" This ques
ton can be easily answered by any vel
informed Democrat. 1t is too apparen
that the only successful men in politics il
Virginia are those who belong to th'
Machine, or receive its endorsement
When it comes To the placing of position
and patronage The Machine is all-power
full. None who do not bend the knee t.
its dictates need apply. The condition O
the best men in the Democratic party II
Virginia is now truly humiliating. Viii
they permit themselves to be brought t.
greater degree of humiliation? Viii
they allow the State to be longer dOmi
mated by ring which they despise anC
which they admit is bringing shame upOl
the Old Dominion?