Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-08-22
VIVA VOOE VOTING.

- W. = - l. A-NN'.
Our esteemed contemporary. the Rich
mond News-Leader. IN an admirable
editorial on the viva vooe system Of vot-
ing II prinAriss. the plan adopted BY
the Democrats party for the nomina-
OF candidates. says:
For our part. while fsvOring the plan
o. nominating by primaries. We have
had our doubts about Tx. wisdom OF
adopting the viva vooe system. There
had been considerable stopping over OF
sentimental rot N the arguilent used /
N favor OF Il We have heard a good /
deal about The u1aniiress OF going 20 |
the polls and crying out ones choice. |
lkewisc some elegant exploiting OF the
ooeu voting as conducive 70 honest,
free and uatramucled expression OF
opiuion. Bat the cold fast Is that in the
cites. after The enlargement OF the elec-
/ torate uudcr the constitution of 1850
/ 81. the viva vocc system afforded a
fruitful opportunity for coercion and
bzIdo1ug and. II instances, defeating
The VII Of The masses. There are n
: tbs csDnuuity many men who can re-
,...1nber that voters reiraincd iroua vot-
| irc tor fear Of arousing personal autag-
ouisuas. and thai at the Old Market
| polling place especially there were thugs
and sluECcrs galore who forced tree
born s1rzcns" - vote for their oaudi-
dates OF knew the reason why, IN the
shapc Of giving them a good beating
n those better DAYS OF the republic,
20 fascinating 70 read about. there was
more disorder at some OF .the precincts
than ever obtained since the secret bal
4 LOT came into vogue in Virginia How
ever. Il Il 70 be presumed that with or
stronger police regulations and larger
police and oons1abulary forces. the lat
trr ev;l would largely disappear.
But The chiei consideration that has
Influenced rs 70 doubt The wisdom OF
viva voie voting : that We have feared
that il open the way 20 Intimidation Of
employees By employers and put oneelass
7 az the mercy OF another. We saw IN Il
i
; voice through fear Of breeding persona
enmities or offending friends Stiu. viva
= vocr voting Is the party policy and un
Is der the party's organization and &C
r. cordinE 70 president that policy car
not be changed until the meeting Of III
next state Democrats convention 4
n he meantime there can be 10 harm !
~ giving the system fair trial and "a
- best means 20 that end Is unity II suI
- port Of IL. IL ought 70 be easy enoug
20 fad out By comparison Of the vo'
with The registration lists and throug
orivate inquiry whether the evils y
* have appreheuded pseYAiled. liz may
OF that under the changed conditions TIL
=, nav not be the case. II The contrary
ID evidenoe. there should be no difhoul'
about COZ recting the mistake. Moths
al IL 20 b gained brt q good deal may
q lost 5y lighting and squa5blug amor
a ourselves over what az this stage OF 4
y. fairs i comparatively a non-essensi
50 We reiterate that the best thing 70
j. 70 give the Party's policy fair tFial
But The chief consideration that b
snauenced Us 70 doubt the wisdom
viva vooe voting il that Ne have ieai
that u would open the door 70 the u
midation of employees by employers q
mt one class al the mercy Of anothe
avs the News Leader. Weentertain
sanse Sears. but now that the party
adopted the policy We agree with
Sews-I.ea6er that il should be giver
"a, trial II not satisfactory. let
marty hasten 20 discard IL as early
possibls-