The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-01-23
FREDFRICKsBURG Va, THURSDAY JANUARY 23 1902
(Communicated.)
POLITICAL REFORM ~.
A Satire on Politics.


elections than has hitherto been the case
| wish to have the so-called bribery
made lawful; and suggest that as that
word is offensive to some Old-fashioned
out-oidate people, who belong to the
"Old South" but are good men in their
way, that it should be called CONNER
cialism." To repeat, wish to make this
"commerciaIism lawful, so that when a
candidate pays two dollars, and even as
much as five dollars for a vote, which |
believe il the limit Except for leaders, to
the ordinary voters. and ten, twenty, or
even fifty dollars n day, as the case may
be, to the constables, and they fool and
cheat him, and accept a larger sum from
and vote for "t'other fellow, " he can both
get damages from them and have them
punished personally in addition. A con-
tract il n contract, regardless OF how it
il made. and it's sanctity should be kept
inyiolate. 1t IL outrageous to let these
slick voters and constables fool and cheat
plain. simple candidate, and not only
beat but actually rob him. This change
in legislation has become very important,
because | see that the Constitutional
Convention has no sort of an idea OF CIV
ing ~ any new Constitution. They have
talked it to a moribund condition. 1t is
now "a moribund as Hector's ghost and
a. hard to revive. and the enemies OF
new Constitution are secretly chuckling
over the fact; and, that being the case,
we certainly ought to legalize buying the
votes and constables under the Walton
law" am n true Democrat. and favor
this reform in the name of law and order
and common decency. 1t will be great
help and will be vastly in the interest OF
the voters. 4 purchasable vote can then
be cried out at public auction and knocked
of TO the highest bidder, and the cir
cnlation OF money will be greatly in
creased at every election | candidly ad-
nit that from the peculiar and contiden-
tial nature OF the case, it will not do TO
pnt the constable, who on the sly is will
ing 70 make a contract, up at public auc-
ton. but the law as to him should be 80
changed that he need not have the agree
ment put in writing. CA cipher code has
been used with great and gratifying sue
cess in Southside Virginia, and should be
legalized But when it is clearly proved
that he made and violated acontract, he
should repay the money obtained from the
defeated candidate and his friends with 30
per cent. interest, and should not be al
lowed to interpose his homestead exemp-
ton. To prevent the collection OF debt
of this character, and for repetition OF
the offence he should never be allowed to
act as constable again. 1t is well known
to have been Lucrative Office in some in
stances, aud to be deprived OF it Tor
cause, together with the repayment oil
the money and fifty per cent. interest, is
likely to be sufficient punishment. Con-
stant action and experience, it is well
known, have made them very skilful,
especially in Southside Virginia, and their
services are proportionately worth more;
and no man likes to be cut down in ris-
ing career. As the law now stands there
il no punishment whatever either for the
voter or the constable. They generally
not only laugh at you when you mention
it. but add in some instances insult to in
jury by either placing the right thumb
on the end OF the nose, and working at
the same time his fingers in your direc-
ton. or by pulling down the lid OF one OF
his eyes and asking you if you see any
thing green there? It's not right for can
didate to be placed in such humiliating
position. These are well-known facts and
the results that the poorfeeble candidate
who almost always allows the use OF his
name for the good, not OF the public,
but himself. and is all the time sacrificing
enormous private interests, is treated to
the game of battle-door and shuttle-cock
by the constables and voters. Self-sacri-
ficing patriots like these candidates
should be protected by law when they
pay out their money for coDstables and
votes, and they should have the right to
enforce their contracts. These remarks
are not intended for the old-iashioned
constables who count the votes just as
they are cast, but for that more intelli-
gent class who both preach and practice
"commercialism in politics.
SEMPRoMUs C. GRAvELHLL.
Jan. 18th, 1902.