The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-03
Gard From Senator McIlwaine.

Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir,--ln making headlines to an inter-
view had on yesterday with one of your
reporters, you have incorrectly indicated
my position in regard to the Barksdale
election BILL did not say the law Is
void. nor is there anything III my pub
lished views that would justify such a
statement, and l shall thank you to make
the correction. My position Is that the
bill has not as yet gone into, effect-not
that the law Is void
Permit me to add that I have been In
the Legislature for twelve years, and
during that time have never had oppo-
sition for the nomination or election. ex
ccpt once. when a nonresident Populist
announced himself as a candidate for
the Senate, just before the election, but
he admitted that he had no following,
and his candidacy was not taken seriously
by any Of my constituents.
During my whole Legislative career not
one cent has been spent by me, nor by
any one else, SO far as know, to further
my political interests, though nave
always contributed. through the properly
constituted authorities. to the campaign
expenses Of the State ticket, as the cleo
ton OF Governor and other State otn-
GERS occurred at the same time as my
own. My tenure of office covers two
more years, and as I do not expect to
be n caIluluate lot Tc-cleClloII, lHo o'lho-
dale bill cannot affect me In any way
whatever
Such being my position, believe can
consider this bill from an impartial stand
point, and am satisfied 1t VIII recoil
upon the Democratic party With woeful
effect. | favor pure elections. II J
could do So ] should return to the viva
voce method Of voting, and hedge all cleo
tons about by the strictest safeguards
hat HIM tv could daViya Rllt
as this Is not practicable, ! deplore tho
fact that the Legislature OF Virginia
has enacted law under which per1urers
may thrive and good men may eventually
be driven out of politics.
hold 1t to be the patriotic duty OF
every man to Influence votern to the ex-
tent of his ability-not corruptly or i'm
conscientously, whether the same may
be done In person or through the nstru-
! mentality of others. The I3arkSdale Dill
| was intended by Its author to be pltched
| upon high plane. 1t SOUNDS wen, espe'
! cially when called pure, elections PIN
hut the people will is time discover That
1t is capable Of being made the greatest
engine Of fraud and corruption that mas
ever afflicted this State. It's possibilities
for evil are Just beginning to crop out,
| and ! invite those who favor Its proVl-
! sons to await It's Interpretation by an
adverse congressional committee, before
determining finally that nothing better
can be devised for the rellef OF our
i people.
But this is rather beside the question,
as the purpose of my writing was TO
call attention to the fact that do not
! hold the opinion indicated by your head
| lines, The interview was hurried, and
| afterwards written out by your reporter.
| In the main he quoted correctly the SUD-
| stance of what ] said to him. though
there are a few errors which would no!
have occurred II / had myself prepared
the paper.
This matter may not interest the pup
lie, but, as some violence has been done
to my views IN the premises, shall
thank you to publish this card,
Very respectfully,
VIM .B. M'ILWAINE.
Petersburg. Va. October I'd.