The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-21
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER q. 1903,
The Anti Bribery Law.

The Anti Bribery Law.
We are gratifled to observe that mem.
,sss OF the General Assembly, In ad-
4ressing themselves to the subject Of the
,ure elections law, are considering
amendments looking to the strengthen
ne Of the law. We have never believed
Y possible to secure enough votes In that
kody to repeal the pure elections law and
= throw down tho bars to the unre-
ytricted and lndiscriminate use OF money
i elections. But we have feared that at
Aanpts would ba made to emasculate the
lea ana destroy Its usefulness. 1t is to
~ hoped, however. that even this fear
1fll not be realized. Some complaints
ave been mad, against the operation
e the present law, but. on the other
ana. ~ have heard Communications
rom many sources. Senator Keesell.
& Rockingham one Of the fairest and
most sincere members OF the General
Lsssmhly says that the law operated
Anirably In his section and saved tho
andIdates much money. He Is heartily
. favor Of strengthening the law and
aaking It as efficient as possible.
This law is founded upon the right
rtaetpls. Thus far 1t has been some.
hing OF an experiment. and It could not
8 reasonably expected that the first
raft Of the law would be perfect. Ra,t
nth the right principle to start with.
here IS honesty enough and Intelligence
nough in the General Assembly to psr-
BET the law. The use OF money In cleo.
Ions IS q two-fold evil. First OF all. II
money Is used without restraint OF law.
ONE Of It in many instances will un-
oubtedly be used corruply. and this.
30, even though the candidate himself
hould be honest and should do all in his
over to prevent the money which he
xpenes from being employed inprop.
sly: for when the money has oncc
assed out OF his hands into the hands
if his agents. 1t is clearly impossible
or him to control It's disbursement. It
sin the interest OF public morals and OF
dtal concern to Democracy Itself that
:hA suffrage shall be honest and that
D corrupt means shall ho employed to
lshauch t.
Again. tho use Of money puts the poor
nan who offers for an once at serious
!isadvantage. Money Is great power.
ma. all things else being equal. the
andidate who has full purse will sue.
aed over the candidate who has no
soney to spend. THIS is. contrary to our
Constitution. It is our boast that under
10 Constitution OF the United States
:Ad under the Constitution OF each !ndi-
5apsl State, each and every man shall
ave the same rights and the same OPP
ortunities TO achieve. whether the
ychievement be in business or In Office
isskink. with the qualification that some
sen are not eligible to office.
FOR these reasons It Is necessary to
Tie welfare OF the Commonwealth that
IL use OF money in elections shall be
AttAd 70 the actual necessities OF tho
ssS.
One argument against the pure cleo
ienT law Is that IT cannot be enforced.
70 q cardinal Il ,trine with Tho Times
asyatch that It is better to havs no law
n q given subject than to have q law
Hitch Is generally ignored. But we are
ysno means prepared 10 admit that II
inapossible to enforce a law In vir-
lnta against the corrupt use OF mon.,y
kleleetions. We believe that the domi.
mt sentiment In this State is in favo,
the pure elections law and In tavo,
It's rigid enforcement. and II tho Gen
la Assembly will 80 amend the law a,
remove the defects and strengthe.
% weak places. while preasrv!ng It,
aue spirit. we have no doubt that 1t will
s thoroughly upheld by the public, anc
lat 1t vii! be enforced.
'WS are greatly pleased with the
nendment offered by Mr. Leake, Of
aochland. requiring the courts to ordel
iecial grand jury Investigations attel
primaries and general elections, Il
cErtain whether or not the provisions
the act have been violated. Let tht
neral Assembly do It's duty and !eav,
q en- orcement OF the law TO the courts
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
University Cllivalry.
3sv4ral days ago We referred to an in
lent at the University and took coca
II 70 pay tribute TO the ehivalry o
y Institution, The Roanoke Time,
TIA ayticla nra ado,