Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-09-27
NORFOLK COUNTY POLITICS.

nations ever known m NlrNlnla.
the so-callcd fusion ticket of Nor
folk county Is the worst. I'm all
the elections I'm that county for
years past, this unholy alliance of
some so-callcd Democrats. with the
worst Republican element in the
county. has been a source of irrita-
ton TO real Democrats. and has
maintained itself In power through
fraudulent methods. There has
been no time when such combi-
nation was justified. The sole
purpose of it has been to receive
certain parties I'm lucrative offices
on what they consider an equitable
division of the spoils. But it has
been death To- Democracy I'm Nor
folk county. and the disgusting
feature of the business Is that the
State Committee by its recent ac-
ton has ignored the real Demo
Gratis of Norfolk county and stamp
ed it, approvalupon this outgrowth
of selfish bargaining.
The corrupt methods of the
fusion crowd were clearly demon
strated, when 1T was shown how a
number of names were illegally
placed upon the registration books
of Norfolk county at the first regis
tration under the New Constitu-
ton That fraudulent act by the
fusionists should have forfeited an
claim TO consideration by any
Democratic committee. The con-
ditions under which they sought to
Justify fusion had been removed
by the New Constitution which
eliminated hundreds of negro
names from the list. but In the
face Of that fact they sought to re-
tain, and probably did retain ille-
gally the names of negroes. who
were not entitled To register. by
putting fictitious valuations upon
their property. But I'm spite of
this there was still a Democratic
majority in Norfolk county. and
no plausible prcteXt for any kind
of utilization between Democrats
and Republicans. The so-called
Democrats in the fusion agree.
ment, however, realized that the
real Democrats of the county had
been SO outraged by the fusion
compact that they would not sup
port any OF the fusionists. That
was the real secret of their contin-
ued fusion with the Republican
ring. Then they realized that the
Democratic State Committee. by
hook or by crook. or through some
kind OF influence. had been brought
around to their support. In the
late meeting of the State committee
1t ignored all previous action in
recognition of the straight Demo
Gratis of Norfolk county, gave them
no opportunity to make good their
claim, and endorsed the element
that for years has been combining
with Republicans, putting negro
Republicans in Office in Norfolk
county. and seeking to nullify con-
stltutonal provisions, that under
the old compact few so-called
Democrats might hold some of the
offices. If the Democratic State
Committee wants TO disrupt the
Democratic party and create in
tense disgust for itself it has made
a good start toward that end. In
It's integrity the Democratic party
has won all Its victories. 1t could
have healed the fostering sore in
Norfolk county fit had repudiated
all alliance with the Republican
party in the county affairs. BY
It's action in that matter it has in
vited and encouraged similar ALI
ances elsewhere, and has forfeited
all right to undertake to discipline
or complain against ANY factions
In other parts of the State which
may choose to form an alliance
with the enemy for their mutual
profit at the expense of the real
Democracy. Norfolk county Dem
ocrats who believe i'm strict Demo-
cratic politics, without the attach
ment Of uncOmely Republican frilIs
to aid them in their fight. may
we'll be excused for holding aloof
from the mongrel combination
recognized and sanctioned by the
State committee. Roanoke World.
During the primary campaign
the COURIER called the attention of
its readers to the rottenness Of
things in Norfolk country, and
complimented Governor Montague
for the stand he had taken i'm favor
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