Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-12-13
BAILEY AND THE DEMOCRATS.

KepuOklcan, running on All liltcletl-
dent ticket, is candidate for Con-
gress from the Ninth District, rs
against Bacsom Slemp, the regular
nominee of the Republican party.
Mr.. Bailey's hope of election is that
the Democrats, whom he has fought
bitterly for years, will unite with
Republicans, and give him n seat in.
the Congress of the United States,
where, as he declares himself, he
will continue TO oppose Democratic
principles and doctrines To the best
of his ability. These are facts which
Mr.. Bailey has made no effort To
conceal, but has been bold To declare
on all occasions. lie was. for long
times Il Jealous Democrat, but left the
party and became one of its bittcrest
enemies and Whites, which fact is
also a matter of history.
In the face of these facts Demo
Gratis in the Ninth District are asked
10 go to the polls next Tuesday, and
east their ballots for Mr.. Bailey, and
do what they can To send him 70
ConrgeSS with Democratic endoTsa-
lion. For one, the Clinch Valley
News does not propose TO do any
such thing, let others do as they
choose. We have stood in our humble
sphere, for the honesty and even
SacTedneSS of the ballot, and do not
now propose 10 violate what con-
science we have, by depositing bal
lot which should express conscien-
IiOus conviction and endorsation,
which could moi possibly express
anything but the opposite. Mr..
Bailey is Il Republican, the same as
Mr.. Slemp and Mr.. Slemp's
father before him, and all the other
Republican candidates who have rep
resented this District i'm Congress
heretofore, and whom we have fought
10 the Lest of our ability every time,
and why, in the name of common
sense and loyalty TO party or prin-
ciple Democrats can now support
him is beyond our humble ability TO
see. Such reckless handling of The
ballot is beyond all reason and ex-
PLANTATION. If Mr.. Bailey was run
ming rs fusion candidate having
the en"3rsatiOn of IA convention of
representative men of both parties
the case might be different.
The only reason urged why Demo
Gratis should SUPPORT Mr.. Bailey i'm
this campaign. so far we have heard
given is, that his election would"bust
the ring and that political
policy justiies any course that will
bring about this much-to- be- esi red
result. Suppose this TO he true.
Would Mr.. Bailey not go TO work at
once 10 build up another "ring?"
Would he appoint, or have appointed
Democrats TO the offices now held by
machine men?" Would he not be
wise enough TO SO hedge himself and
his friends astO entrench himself and
them as firmly around the pie
counter as are those whom he would
dislodge? Most assuredly. Then
what would be gained? Not only
WOULD nothing be gained but the
Democrats would be losers allaround.
What would we do and say next
campaign when Mr.. Bailey's time
expires, and he again offers himself
for congress? How fierce and furious
would the Republican organs hurl il
in our faces that we had supported,
and helped to elect the same candi-
date we were fighting? We cannot
afford To bust the ring ut such "A
cost, even if such thing were possi-
bic: We do not claim 10 be shrewd.
or even average politician, but we do
not hesitate to say, that the course
being pursued by the leaders and
prominent men of the party, in urg-
ing and championing David +.
Bailey's candidacy, or Mr. Slemp's
either, rs 10 that, is huge
political blunder which will return
10 smite them and the party in the
district in the future. It's danger
Gus thing for Democrats, in this dis
trict particularly, in general elections
TO II neutrality-suspicious.. 1t srisky. We
snail not be very greatly surpris I'd if
some Democrats who vote the BAIL
ey ticket or the straight ticket
next Tuesday, never come back home.
Remember the Malone campaign.
Bad political policy, and bad polit-
zeal morals Bailey Democrats - or
SIemp Democrats will be the
slogan some day, when we attempt
10 rally our forces in opposition, per-
haps TO this same Bailey, or some
one like him.
The action of certain prominent
Democrat in the Distrietdeclaring for
Mr.. Siemp openly in the papers, has
been widely censured and condemned
by number of leading politicians
/ and as result he has been already
isiiminated' from the list of prob
Gubematorial candidates. De-
nfor Slemp has fixed him.