Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-09-12
Mr.. FLOODS CAREER.

The last issue of our Republican con.
temporary, the Old Dominion Sun
contains two editorials commenting
upon alleged inconsistencies Of our
neighbOr, the Daily News, in which
editorials. unjust, not to say libellous,
aspersions are made upon Hon. 81. D.
Flood political methods.
Now we assert Mr.. Floods political
character, so far as we believe, or have
ever heard from non-partisan sources
Is above reproach.
These charges about his methods
in politics" refer either to methods
within or without the Democratic par
ty; and seem intended to mean dishOn-
est methods in securing the Democrat
ic nomination, or dishonest methods
in conducting the canvass against his
Republican opponents. Let us look
at these charges in these two aspects;
and first, as to his methods in securing
his nominations. He was prominent
we learn In the local politics Of his
section for nine years before he became
a candidate for Congress. When he
came home from the University OF
Virginia, We believe he was, rs soon
as he had attained his majority, chOs-
en- by reclamation in his native county
of Appomattox as the Democratic
nominee for Representative in the
House of Delegates; and on the expi-
ration of his first term he was re-nom-
mated by like reclamation for second
term. He was then for three success
sive terms elected to the State Senate
for the counties of Appomattox, Buck
ingham and Fluvanna. In each of
these elections the denomination came
unsought by Mr.. Flood. These facts
come to our knowledge from the most
authentic and undeniable sources. AS
to his nomination for the COnstitu
tional Convention, eighteen months
ago, it was stated at the time in his
county paper that he did not seek or
desire it, but reluctantly acceeded to
unanimous call of his fellow citizens.
Now as to the public offices which
did not come to him unsolicited, name
ly, his three several andidacies here
tofore for a seat in Congress. On these
three occasions he was twice nominal
ed and once defeated for the nomina- |
tioI. On the first of these occasions,
in 1896, he was nominated without any
issue or suggestion Of methods" on
his part. He was in that contest de-
feated. In the Congressional nominal
ing convention of 1898 Mr.. Flood went |
into the convention with majority of |
the delegates elected in his favor, and |
yet lost the nomination. If any meth |
dds were employed in that convention,
it is evident they were not at Mr.. |
Flood 3 instance or in his behalf. In
1900 there was some criticism of the
selection Of delegates from Allegheny |
county by a night meeting. But the
truth is that the meeting was called
for the night to suit the convenience
of the great majority of the Democrat
ic voters Of that county, who were the
employees of the railroad and of the
manufacturing industries of that To-
cality and who would have been de.
barred from attending had the meet
ing been In the day time. 1t was the
largest meeting ever held in that coun-
ty for the election of delegates.
And now In respect to the criticisms
Of Mr.. Flood in his contest with his
political adversaries. This is q
criticism Of alleged ballot box manip-
III alton that is confined to the black
belt, and If such manipulation exists
It is the resort Of the Caucasian race,
The white people, the shareholders.
the owners of the land and the educat-
ed class, to keep the offices, and the
political control Of their counties, out
Of the hands Of the semi civilized,
ignorant and incompetent Ethiopian
race. Mr.. Flood has not hesltated to
publicly express bis belief in white su-
premacy, and in the political ascen-
dancy Of the Anglo Saxon race in every
county in the State, as the safeguard
Of civilization itself. We should des.
pise him II he did not. This is the
extent Of his SHINING, and he apollo {
yises to no one for this offence. But Il
10 was among the first to favor a con- I
titutional convention for the purpose !,
If eliminating, as far as practicable d,
md legitimate, the vicious, ignorant {
negro vote, and thus remove the occa- .
ion for ballot box manipulation, I" I
which it was alleged was necessary in Q
ome counties of the State. 1t
We feel that If such editorials 20
lndenied they may do Mr.. Flood in t
ustice, and for this reason have taken q
lpon ourselves the responsibility of 1t
epelling in 30 far as we are able such Il
ln1ustlfiable attacks by political ene- c
aies. We give great latitude to per- n
ons OF opposite politics, during heated I
political campaigns, when reason i
ometimes ceases to hold sway, and q
ruth is occasionally stretched to the +
breaking point. But even under the +
of such conditions there r
hould be q limit. We are aware that :
'harges of fraud and corruption are i
asily made, but they are seldom prov
%. In the good old county of Rock +
ouhom whora the edftOro ~ A. fuaI