The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-04
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY I, 1904.
The Triumph of Fusion.

The Triumph OF fusion.
l BY vote Of 80 to q tho Democratic
4 caucus Of the House Of Delegates tabled
y the resolution offered by Mr.. Wthcrs, OF
$sNansemond, to exclude from seats in that
u body Messrs. z. W. Owens and w. G.
Parker, the Fusion members from Nor
4 folk county, in spite Of tho fact that
4 these members were elected on mixed
ticket composed Of Fusionists and Re-
y publicans; in spite Of the fact that they
set at defiance the decision Of the State
Central COMMITTEES; In spite Of the fact
4 that Mr.. Owens acted as chairman OF the
party in Norfolk county. when the State
Central Committee had decided that Mr..
Jones was the chairman;. in spite OF the
+ fact that the great body of Democrats
K In Norfolk county protested against the
H action Of these Fusionists and against
u their recognition as Democrats In the
y General Assembly; In spite Of the fact
that every Democratic member from the
4 Second District was opposed to their
& recognition; In spite of the fact that
save one, every Democratic newspaper
Sin the Second District that has spoken,
has also protested, thirty-threo Demo
4 cratic members Of the House voted in
favor Of admitting Messrs. Ovens and
Parker into full utilization. and they
are now received as though they had
been elected on the regular Democratic
ticket.
the State Central Committee
recognized the straghtouts, q majority
Of the Democratic members Of the House
recognized the Fusionists, and by that re-
Bcognition have sanctioned the course OF
4 these members and sanctioned the en-
tire Fusion movement in Norfolk coun-
Mty. It was a great victory for the Fu-
#sionsts, and 1t was a terrible defeat
for the Straigntouts. It is encourage
'sment to tho Fusionists to keep up tho
fight 1t is notice to the Straighout De-
#mocrats that II they want to be on the
winning sidc; If they want to elect mem
bers OF the General Assembly; II they
want to have Il hand in selecting the
county officers. they had better abandon
their regular organization, which has
been recognized by the State Central
Committee and so over bag and bag
gage to the Fusionists.
took no part whatever In this contest. 1t
seemed to us to be a local affair and we
gave offence to at least one prominent
Democrat In the State by declining to
print a communicative FROM him in de-
Snunciation Of Fusionism on the score
&as we have said. that We regarded 1t as
"a local fight with which we had nothing
TO do. But when tho matter was pressed
upon our attention. when 1t became q
matter of general interest, we took tho
trouble to make Il personal In
iyestigation. This investigation was
made in no spirit OF partisanship
but simply and solely to ascertain the
facts. AS a result Of this inquiry, the
conclusion was forced ;,pon us that
Fusion In Norfolk county was indefensi
BILE; that the occasion for 1t no longe!
existed; that 1t was corrupting and de
&moralzing and hurtful to the cause o.
Democracy. We were convinced that thu
time had come for the Democratic part.
Sof the State to discountenance and dis
own the Fusion faction In Norfolk count.
and to give recognition and support Z
1.-THE straightouts If this course had bee,
pursued by the House caucus, we hav'
no doubt that the Fusion party In Nor
folk county would have been heard o
mo more forever. AS 1t Is. the Fusionist
have triumphed over their opponents
That being tho case, we may reason
ably expect the Fusion movement In Nor
1 folk county to continue. no matter VIVA
$the State Central Committee may here
after decide.
Fl But the decision of the caucus has
much wider scope and application. !
puts premium upon rebellion, and
sa bid to every little faction Of rebellion
Democrats to join hands with the re
gpublicans and negroes and put up cand
dates In opposition 10 the regular cand
dates OF The party.
S We sincerely hope, however, that IN
decision Of the caucus Will not have TIL
effect. We sincerely hope that the regula
Democrats OF Norfolk county, instea
OF being discouraged and disheartene
and demoralized by this decision, will
stimulated to greater endeayor; that the
will thoroughly organize themselves al
make stronger fight than ever TO ro'
Tas,onlsts and drive them out Of powe
Theirs Ia the cause Of Righteousness, az
thrice armed Is he whose cause Is jup
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