Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-06-26
Hon. Stuart F. Lindsey Declines to Be
a Candidate For Congress.
SUBSTANTIAL REASONS ARE GIVEN.
A Continuance of the Corruption and Fraud
Heretofore Used in the Ninth
District Confidently
Anticipated.
Bristol, Virginia, June l6, 1902.

TRICT OF lRGlNlA'
In Justice to my devoted friends through
out the District, who have done me the
honor to assure me of their support for
Congress in the ensuing election, wish to
announce my purpose not to declare my
self candidate for the nomination by the
Republican party, though under Other
conditions would act otherwise, as l am
frank to say am and have been ambitious
to represent the 9th District in Congress
Bul try to ait in politics, as in Other
matters, as a practical man, and Viewing
the election, with present conditions, with
the occurrences, experiences, methods,
practices in elections in this district In
the past, and the prospects admittedly IN
evitable under the new Constitution and
the partisan provisions Hereunder, show
ing absolute disregard of all equity and
fair dealing in politics, / am forced to the
conclusion, against MY wishes, that the
conspiracy will 90 on in the ensuing con-
test, and that nomination now IN TINS
transition period between the old and the
new order, weighted down as the new
instrument is with clauses conceived and
born to make sure Democratic success,
will simply operate to arouse afresh and
more energeticly the venom, fraud, cor
ruption and conduct that made the cleo
tions in 1896 and 1900 admitted outrages
on suffrage, and elections in the District
an "empty NAME" and the certificates
from this and the other districts in Nir-
'ginia covered with grave doubt and sus-
picion. hesitate to appear to shirk re-
sponsibility. l dislike to seem to avoid
the burden of duty. | am prepared to
measure lances with honorable and honest
political combatants. | respect a brave
antagonist l admire the politician who
has the courage of bis convictions, VINO
follows and defends his principles and pol
icies. There is always room and reason
in all matters that relate to government.
There is always sufficient equity, truth,
decency, honesty, and equality in politics,
however much men may differ, and they
should be met upon high plane and con-
sidered in digni6ed manner.
The people can be trusted. There l
establish my standard. l do not trust the
man or men whose political convictions
and work demonstrate lack of conscience.
l Getest the doctrine that 'the end justl-
fies the means" No man, be he Demo-
crat or Republican, politician or otherwise,
who is an informed man, will deny that
the 9th District is largely Republican,
upon free and honest vote. However,
this does not apply to men whose diet has
been, or is, the conception, use, and de-
tense of tie infamies that have been ex-
posed, admitted and denounced, and that
have disbonored the State.
On all matters of policy, all questions OF
principle, all things that have cOnspired,
and do conspire, to develop the resources
in this district, and induce capital, reward
labor, and enlarge business, the Republi'
can party stands pre-emiuently above al
corners.
Then why hesitate to make an aggres
siye fight? Why remain silent in the face
of the following vote in 1894 l4,2S7
1865, 1925; 1887, ,344; l90O-lS,4l5
Why in the face of McKnley's majority
ofI,5O4 in 1900? l know the men an(
their unselfsh loyalty in l9OO-there arr
none braver anywhere. l shall alway
honor their faithful loyalty and service
They won and deserve the highest homo
and praise. But that was in vain
Neither principle, policy, loyalty, energy
united work, or votes, availed against tn
conditions then confronting, and nov
more than ever confronting render
ed uncertain as herein indicated.
Now let us consider:
1st. The Congressional Committeein de
Gliding the late contest IN Congress from
this district, admitted, and denounced
the fraud and dishonest practices; tn
unfair, misleading, confusing ballots tina
were arranged and printed to confus
rather than assist the voter; the disregard
for order in the form thereof and arrange
ment Of the matter, the unexpected ant
unlocked for positions that were necessa
rily misleading and confusing.
Said committee said:
"If the object in preparing same wa
not to take unfair advantage, then tn
electoral boards who supervised the wor
we're guilty of gross negligence or incon
petency," 1t then expresses "its dlsaE
proval of a law which makes cheating AM
corruption possible, even easy, and invite
and facilitates frauds at the polls" Th
committee also says: "The people-th
yoters-are never consulted, it Is a Grim
nal offense to know the form or appear
ance or arrangement of names on the ba
lot. The whole manipulation is in secret.
The committee says: "The opportunit
to cheat is there; the temptation is pres
ent and TO say that the marker does nc
Weld to such temptation requires a larg
amount of charity for poor human nature
.r whichis the same in Virginia as elsf
where"
Again the committee says; "There ar
Dowatchers there-there is no fear
detection--they may scratch to suit then
: selves or substitute other ballots, ETC.
! Finally said committee concludes; =
more thorough analysis of thls-law wopl
disclose more clearly its ntauy inequalities
its variety Of opportunities for scheme
and corrupt practices. II the intention
its trainers were to invite fraud and cor
cealit, it is. a. successful Accomplished