Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-05-25
AEAIR DEAL.

Unless all signs fail we are going to
have an absolutely fair deal in the Vir-
ginia Democratic primaries of this year.
The spirit animating Democrats-can-
didates, leaders, managers and party
followers generally, appears to be ear
nestly enlisted in the cause of absolute
honesty at the ballot box-this both in
regard to primaries and general election,
and scant patience, we believe
will be shown towards any contrary
tendency. Moreover, the general
primary plan provides salutary safe
guards in this respect. For example
note the following provision;
cat all primaries held under this plan
the poll-bOoks and voting shall be in
open view, and candidates voted for
shall have the privilege of having one
friend each within the room where the
election is being conducted, to remain
until after the completion of the count
of the vote and the certifcation of the
result.
Here it strikes us is furnished an
ample defense against fraud and trick
cry. A candidate could scarcely ask
more than to have his personal repres-
entative in the booth while the vote is
being cast, and also when it is counted.
The Times hopes that candidates gen
orally will avail themselves of this right.
Not that there is reason to fear that
improper methods will be resorted to
but it is undoubtedly a wise plan to have
it so that there will be no ground for
any future question concerning the in
tegrity of the primary's result. Dis
appointed candidates or their friends
are at times bit too eager to hearken
to the voice of suspicion in such mat
ters.-Roanoke Times.
Our Roanoke contemporary seems to
think it is a cause for congratulation
that the Democratic primaries of this
year are to be absolutely fair" 1t
bases it's hopes for such a conclusion
upon the idea that all the Democrats
candidates, leaders, managers and
party followers generally appear to be
earnestly enlisted in the cause of abso-
lutte honesty at the ballot box" But
the Times evidently concludes that it
was necessary to have some other de-
tense against fraud than the general
disposition of Democrats for fair
deal, and it is delighted with the "sal-
utary safeguards" which the primary
plans provide, one of which it quotes
above approvingly. If the Times will
wait until after the primary is over we
expect it will sing different song. In
certain sections of the State the Demo
Gratis have become SO habituated to
cheating Republicans that they cannot
and will not refrain from defrauding
each other whenever the necessity
arises and opportunity is furnished.
If the Democrats have found it neces-
sary to place these salutary safeguards
against fraud in their general primary
plan, and they are SO eager for honest
elections, why didn't they furnish for
the Republicans in the general election
laws equally as potent and salutary safe
guards to prevent fraud and trickery at
the general elections?
Not only are Republican candidates
not permitted. to have their friends in
the polling rooms, but the party is not
allowed to have but one out of the five
election officers who conduct the cleo
tons at each of the precincts in the
State. If there is any disposition of
the four Democratic officers to cheat it
will be impossible for the one Republi-
can to prevent it. Besides, this one
Republican judge of election Is not
selected by Republicans, but is chosen
by a partisan electoral board, from
whose selection there is no appeal. 1t
was this knowledge of the Democratic
leaders who formulated the unfair pro-
visions of the general election law, and
of its unfair intention, that made them
so considerable in putting salutary safe
guards against fraud in the Democratic
general primary plan.