Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-09-08
a FLlMsY DEFENCE.

Our recent editorial in which we quoted
what st. Louis Democratic lawyer had
to say about the infamous "Scott County
Ballot" seems to have touched certain
Democrats in tender spot-that is II they
have any tender spot in the way of honest
politics. Without denying the infamy OF
which they have been guilty they under
take to extenuate by using, as a plea OF
confession and avoidance, charge that
there has been violation of the Law in
Scott county by Mr.. Sloan, the Repubh-
can chairman of that county. The charge
is that he paid the poll tax Of 400 Repub--
lican voters in that county Sin positive
violation of the law"
This charge was given out through DEM
ocratic papers some time ago, and we are
inclined to believe that it was made to
divert attention from similar acts that
we're being committed by Democratic pol
iticlans in various counties of the district.
Our recollection lie that the accusation
against Mr.. Sloan was denied at the time
it was preferred, and that the Democrats
have failed, so far, to offer any proof In
support of the charge But granting that
il was true, if it was a positive violation
of the Law and there is penalty attached,
why hasn't the law been enforced? The
Democrats have made all the laws, they
have the courts and can do anything they
choose to punish Republicans who violate
the law, even ifthe Republicans are unable
to respond In kind.
Again, granting that Mr.. Sloan did the
act complained of, and taking it as ad-
mitted by the Democrats that the Scott
County Ballot was invented by one OF
their own leaders and used for the bene-
fit of the man who is now the Parker
Elector in this district, we would like to
to inquire how these two acts (call them
violations of the law if you choose) will
appear when compared under the moral
or statute law?
Whena man pays the poll tax of bis neigh
Dor or friend that he may be able to vote,
be is only preserving for that neighbor or
friend the opportunity to exercise right
he has acquired by or through the citi-
zenship given him under the supreme law
of the land-the Constitution of the Unit
ed States. 1t is, to say the most, an evasion
of cruel inferior law which has been
artfully prepared 10 deprive citizens OF a
precious right vested in them by a mu-
nifcent superior law. If one man pays
another mans poll tax so that the latter
may be able to vote, it may be a techni-
cal violation of organic or statute law, but
it is no positive violation of statute or
moral law. If it was, a penalty would be
attached and executed. The trainers OF
the new constitution attached no penalty.
How about the crime of preparing de-
vice called and used as a ballot intended
to cheat or rob honest men of their votes,
device SO infamous that it has provoked the
excavations of every honest man who has
ever seen it? That's what the ''Scott county
Ballot" was, and it has been denounced by
the honest men OF both parties in this dis
trict, even by the present Democratic can
didate for Congress.
1t is the yeriess hypocrisy or an evidences
of complete degeneracy for any man to
attempt to palliate the "Scott County
Ballot" by countercharging that Republic
cans have paid mems poll taxes, singy or
in bulk. One is generous act, an effort
to preserve for another precious right
Tie other is a vicious, thievish act, an
effort to rob fellowman of precious
right. And man who writes 10 make him.
self and others believe that these acts are
equally immoral and illegal, must not only
have his "front and backyard reeking
and sinking with foul sewage and gar
bage," but his house, his mind, his heart
and bis personal life must be filed with
the same malodorous matter.
lift is an offence for Republicans to pay
poll taxes for Republican voters, is it not
equally one for Democrats to pay them for
Democratic voters? We have heard that
the brother-in-law and law partner of Mr..
Wysor gave his check for large amount
to pay poll taxes of Democratic voters in
Pulaski county. We have also beard that
Mr.. Wysor's son paid the poll taxes of
voters in bulk at Pulaski.
Are you going to vote with the party
and for a man who haye deprived so many
Of your friends and neighbors Of the. right
TO vote
Being essentially humbug and political