Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-01-05
ABOUT THE NINTH DISTRICT.
Letter of Hon. Joseph C. Wysor on Re-
suit of the Election.
Editor Of The Times-Dispatch.

Editor Of The Times-Dispatch
Sir: Frequent inquiries are made of
me as to the causes of my defeat for Con-
gress in the Ninth District. Some of these
injuries come from men prominent in
public life. The real inquiry should be as
to the causes of Democrotic defeat. My
vote exceeded Judge Psrker's in every
county in the districG except Washington
county, in which his'vote exceeded mine
by twenty-five. My total vote in the
district exceeds bis total vote by five
hundred and fourteen.
There were three chief factors which CO.
operated to compass the defeat of the
Democratic ticket; First, the Republicans
were better organized. They had more funds
with which to pay the legitimate expenses
necessary to effect and perfect their organ
ization. The Democrats were practically
without any means for this purpose.
Second, the poll taxes of more Republicans
than Democrats were paid. The Re-
publicans looked after this matter dill
gently. The Democrats neglected it. The
Republicans district chairman was right in
his frequent assertion that the Democracy
was defeated on the It'll of May, six months
before the election. Third, there is very
large floating vote IN the Ninth district.
The Republican succeeded in casting
practically all of this vote.
But we are more interested in the
remedies for the situation than we are in
the causes of it.
The Democracy in the Ninth should be
forthwith organized and brought in closer
touch with the State organization. But
we should rely chiefly upon helping our
selves. The organization should be effect
ed for the purpose of carrying the district
next fell for the Democratic State ticket
electing members of the House and Sem
ate and clerks Of the Circuit Courts. By
carrying the district in the State election
next fall we will have made long stride
towards carrying it in the Congressional
election in the following fall. The Demo
Gratis must be as diligent in looking after
the payment of their poll taxes as the Re-
publicans. The Democratic clerks, most
of whom will stand for reelection next
fail, can be of great aid to the Democratic
in looking after this matter,
but the whole work should not be left to
the clerks; they should be assisted. 1t
will, perhaps, be advisable for the party
to nominate candidates for clerks in most,
if not all of the counties in the district.
The only safeguard in the constitution
against one man paying poll taxes for
another is the Elk months provision. The
reason for this provision was that it was
thought man would hesitate risking his
money six months with the view of in
auencing the vote of another. 1t 10 true
The constitution provides that the voter
shall personally pay his taxes. But this
DUOUut6 W utLlC VI nObuluks AuO OOH-
,titution does not forbid man lending or
irving another the money with which to
pay bis poll taxes. A loan or gift makes
money the absolute property of the re-
,ipient, and if he uses it in paying his
axes he personally pays them. Of
course, pretended loan or gift, made TO
corrupt and purchase the voter, is against
he constitution and does not qualify the
otter, but here we are met With prac-
icd difficulty. Who is to find this out2
When you challenge such voter he will !
ay he paid bis own taxes and it will be !
cry difficult to gainsay bis word.
AS to the purchase Of voters, the pure
lection law does not tend in the least to
revent it. 1t merely expresses high
nd lofty sentiment approved by ali good I
zen, and q consummation devoutly to be f
ished. Our only hope in this matter is f
, educate our people to place a higher {
alue upon the right of suffrage. They =
Mould be persistently taught that mans o
ght to vote lie trust which be holds for b