Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-06-20
Or. DICKINSON is MUCH IN EARNEST
Makes Serious Charges Against Some
Campaign Methods.
Editor Richmond News

My heart is so full of gratitude to you
! that ! must thank YOU for exposing some
of the frightful frauds that are going on in
my dear old State in connection with the
contest for Governor lou have not an
nounced who is your man for the place,
but you declare over and over again for
fair and full expression of the peoples
views on the subject, and for this you de-
serve the thanks of every honest Vhgin-
ian.
As for myself, was alarmed as soon as
saw it announced that United States
| Senator and half dozcn Congressman
had selected man to succeed Governor
TYLER. | knew then what was coming, for
| knew this system of fraud had been 60
ing on here in Virginia for years. l have
seen those who were apparently IN the
employ of this syndicate going from one
county to another buying up men who
wished TO come to the Legislature, Offering
to pay their campaign expenses II they
would agree to vote for certain measures
favored by the ring, and have seen men
thus aided answer to their names when
the Legislature met in Richmond. That
thing has been done again and again, and
there are men who owe the places they
hold to just such methods, as thousand
good Virglnians can testify.
When saw the proclamation coming
from Washington as to Governor, 1t hlled
me with alarm. knew that men would
20 through the State in the interest OF the
ring offering money and offices and almost
everything under Heaven for votes, but
did not dream then that they would resort
TO the disgraceful measures which now
amuse our people. A few days ago in
company gathered in my Office distlng-
uished Doctor of Divinity, after reading a
CODY of the Evening News in which you
described the shameful acts in Newport
News. Henrico and Norfolk counties asked:
"Was ANYTHING more disgraceful done by
the carpet baggers, when they swooped
down upon us after the war, and gobbled
I'D all the offices, than what is being done
by this infamous ring this very momentY'
Another brother asked: twas any
thing worse done in Jackson Ward or IN
any other ward or county in Virginia
when Democrats we're seeking to control
the negro vote than Senator Martins CO.
laborers are doing this day to control the
votes of Democrats themselves?'
But why should say more? Fair and
honorable as your paper is you will likely
throw this thing in the waste basket, but
| shall feel all the happier at having made
one more effort to open the eyes OF my
friends to the frightful ills that are coming
upon the dear old Commonwealth, as sure
as these men carry this election. II they
succeed now, they will succeed more easily
next time, and easier still in the election
after that until we shall be as poweriess as
"prostrate Pennsylvania, whose arrogant
Boss is now more than ever in the saddle
lashing her for daring to entertain trea
sonable thoughts" 1t will be thus III
Virginia, and the good men who vote FOL
this ring will to the day oftheir death (anC
probably longer regret having done sucl
thing.
stand amazed at myself at seeing tht
people of Virginia where the very life o
the Commonwealth they must know is a
stake. And these men who are buyins
and selling and making money, an
amazed at them. Why do they not throw
down everything else and 90 to the coun
try places, and in Gods name beg TIM
country people to give one more homes
vote for fair elections while there is pos
sibilty that it may accomplish something
, 1t may be too late.
If a negro steals pig we send him t
the penitentiary, but if a white man steal
thousand votes we send him somewhere
else.
A. 4. DICKINSON.