Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-07-13

1alr 10 lCS RepuDncan opponents! We
doubt it, and the past record of the
Virginia Democracy justifies such a
doubt. = ,
40 CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER.
1t is manifest that the two factions
into which the Virginia Democracy is
divided have no confidence in the integ-
rity of each other. In many ways that
lack of confidence is being shown. Soon
after the meeting of the State Demo-
cratic Committee, Mr.. Montague pro-
claimed his belief that the committee
was a tool in the hands of his competi-
tor for Senatorial honors. Suspicion of
the honesty of the organization has
been further shown by Mr.. c. V. Mere
dith of Richmond, who is a jealous sup
porter of Mr.. Montague for United
States Senator. He has shown that he
has no confidence in the integrity of the
City Democratic Committee of Rich
mond, because majority of that com
mittee are Martin men. Mr.. Meredith
has made proposition to the City Dem
ocratic Committee that certain citizens
of Richmond will raise one-half of the
money necessary to conduct the primary
election in that city, if they, the said
citizens, be allowed to name one of the
judges at each precinct, instead of leav-
ing the choice of all the judges to the
committee. The Richmond Journal dis
cussing this proposition says:
1--WE greatly doubt whether the gen
tlemen who submit this proposal have
fully considered all that 1t means and
implies. 1t is not easy to perceive how
the committee could have consented to
entertain for a moment such a proposal,
which it would be difficult to construe
as other than plain intimation by the
gentlemen making it, that they could
not and did not rely upon the capacity
and integrity Of the City Democratic
Committee or the judges it may select. "
There is no doubt about what the gen.
tlemen who made the proposal meant.
They are influenced by the belief that
the Martin machine will debauch the
primary just as they charge the Demo
cratic Legislature was debauched by
Martins friends when he beat Fitz Lee
for Senator. The Journal further says;
"Have we reached the point where
we cannot rely upon the common hon
esty of our own party committee in our
own party primary"
In view of the confessions that have
been made within the past two or three
years by the Democratic papers and
leaders in Virginia of the dishonest con-
duct of the Democratic organization
both in the treatment of Republicans
and Democrats the honest men in the
State realize that the point mentioned
by the Journal has been reached. The
Montague machine has no confidence in
the integrity of the Martin machine,
and the latter has no confidence in the
former. If the records of these ma
chimes are such as they have respect
lively declared them to be we are not as
tonished that they suspect the honesty
of each other.
The Richmond Times Dispatch does
not hold the same views as the Journal.
1t thinks the City Committee ought to
accept the proposal made by Mr.. Mere.
dith, but tries to conceal the motive of
Mr., Meredith and those citizens who
are with him in the making of the
proposition. 1t argues that the propo=
sal was not made with the idea that
Mr.. Meredith and others were not will
ing to trust the City Committee, but
because the primary system is now on
trial. In support Of its contention the
Times Dispatch says
mot that the voters believe that the
failure to give reasonable and fair
primary would discredit the whole sys-
TEN, but that they feel that the primary
may be so mismanaged as not only to
reflect discredit and disgrace on those
connected with its control"
Our Richmond contemporary tries 70
soften the thing by using the word
"mismanaged," instead Of dishonesty
or..fauduIently conducted. Simple mis-
management would not reflect discredit
or disgrace on those who suffered o.
practiced it. The Democrats in Vir=