The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-29
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1901. I
The Norfolk County Case.

The Norfolk County Case.
on Tuesday next the Democratic menu
ters OF the House of Delegates Will hold
d party caucus to determine whether or
mot the members from Norfolk county
shall be recognized as regularly elected
8ncmocrats and admitted into the party
councils.
The Times Dispatch has so often en-
pressed it's views on the subject that
further discussion is unnecessary But
there are few facts which we would
y iikc to emphasize. These members were
nominated in primary election, which
was held in open defiance OF the decision o.
Of the State Central Committee
Is They were elected on ticket COM
nosed OF Fusion Democrats and 5Repup-
licans, elected by the combined votes OF
F;sion Democrats, Republicans and ne
proes. ana in opposition to the regular
3sfDemocratic ticket, which was nominated
S in a regularly called Democratic pr
mary.
Thev received the votes Of negroes who
were fraudulenty registered.
II they be recognized as Democrats
81 tho Fusion party in Norfolk county. with
ali The odium that is upon 1t, will there
by receive the sanction Of the Democratlc
II members of the House, and VIII prooa-
( blv be given another lease of life
SIC they are not recognized, there Is
good arca son to believe that the Fusion
marty will never do business again IN
Norfolk county, and that the regular
IA r. mocratics party will soon. be in control
Of the county affairs.
"a IA is a most significant fact that every
ffl Democratic member OF the House from
tho Second Congressional District is OBJ
posed to recognizing the Fusion mem-
hers as Democrats, and that ought de-
termine the issue without further ado.
4 Ii is also significant fact that the
four Democratic newspapers OF NOR
s5ss folk city, together with tho Norfolk
sBg County Democrat, are against the Fu-
sionists The Suffolk Herald Is also
heart and soul against them. The Nor
s folk County Times, the Fusion organ
has lust suspended. and the only cham
the Portsmouth Star. which boasts that
q It Is a free lance.
We know OF no other Democratic news.
paper in the state which has espoused
the cause OF tho Fuslonists, while sew
2, eral have come out strongly against
them. For example, the Charlottesville
Progress revisws the, history of the Flu
sion movement,im ali article headed -
Political Cancer" and in the course OF
Il its remarks, says:
1.-THE white people of Virginia cannot
M afford to consider such political infhmy
N such a barefaced conspiracy TO plun'
der and pillage ut the expense of theii
H Il most sacred rghts-in the light of q
local matter. 1t has been rightly de.
# nominated a political cancer which II
x left unchecked must eventually corrup,
IN Tho whole electorate and the entire poll.
n tics of Virginia.
'"The member of the Democratic. eau.
8l cus at Richmond who votes to admit
S thu members from Norfolk county as
srmes a grave responsibility He can
Ss not shirk the odium and disgrace which
Y Hill attach to such action upon tht
ground of personal friendship, politica
5s nfflliation or even party precedent. III
cannot dodge or evade the real issue
II nor can he close his eyes TO tho fac
that he cannot endorse or condonc th'
fraud and corruption and unholy all
ancc in Norfolk county, and escape Will
q his own reputation unsmirched or Will
sE8 his Democracy beyond the range Of legit
inlato criticism. 1t is useless to donl
FL that Norfolk county politics affects tn
8 very integrity of the movement for high
~ ier and better things in Virginia politics
II 1T is a distinct issue--an evil that thu
white people OF the State who put hono
above booty and party above plumber
must crush out-apd the man or part,
that believes for a moment that th'
seating in n Democratic caucus of TIL
Fusion members from Norfolk count.
"a will 20 unno,lced or unrebuked has libel
led the people of Virginia.
1.-THE Democratic party must cloos
between Fusionists and all that 1t rep
resents. and decency, regularity and III
trust and confidence Of the Virginia
voters"
We believe that that deliverance is
fair expression Of the sentiment of nine
tenths of the Democrats throughout tn
State who haye famillarized themselye
with the situation In Norfolk county.