Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-10-28
A TUB TO THE WHALE.

vessel would throw a tub to the
whale. =" This would frequently divert
the attention of the whale and secure
the safety of the ship and its sailors.
The Virginia Democratic Machine is in
peril; it is being pursued by that levia-
than in Virginia politics, the anti-Ma-
chine Democrats; and it has resorted to
the subterfuge of the ancient mariner
and thrown out tub to the whale. The
death of D. Q. Eggleston, Democratic
candidate for Secretary of the Common
wealth, has furnished the Machine
with the opportunity to perform this
act; but the subterfuge is so transpar-
ent that the anti organization Demo-
Gratis are not likely to be deceived.
That the selection of Colonel B. o.
James, reputed supporter of Harry
Tucker, as substitute candidate for
the deceased Mr.. Eggleston, was occa-
stoned by fear and deceit and not from
justice or principle is the apparent be-
lief of the anti-machine Democrats.
The Richmond Journal, the bitterest
snti-machine paper in Virginia in the
recent primary campaign, has this to
say about the matter:
If the committee sought to placate
few threatening administration
Democrats by what it has done, the
members must think Tucker adherents
easy to please. Speaking as one Tucker
supporter. entirely loyal to the party
ticket, The Journal says that the best
intelligence in both factions of the
party desired only that the nomination
go to the best qualified and most meri-
torious candidate, without reference to
his fractional utilization in the late pri-
mary.
I'VE say this without any desire to
embarrass the candidacy of Colonel
James, the committees nominee. He
will discharge the duties of the office
faithfully, we have no doubt, but his
claims did not equal those of Mr.. Han
kins. The Journals purpose is to ex-
press dissent from a policy that on its
face shows lack of courage and a con-
temptible estimate of the intelligence
of those who, under threat, it attempt
ed to please. Under other circum-
stances had there been no threat
nomination of a supporter of Mr..
fuckers would have been a graceful
act on the part of an antagonistic ma
jOrity."
If this estimate of the so-called gen
erous act of the Machine is the best
that Tucker paper, that has yielded its
support after defeat to the antagonis-
tic majority, can give, what must be
the opinion of those self. respecting
Democrats who continued reluctant to
yield to the party lash in the hands of
the Machine?
The Journal might have pursued its
excellent independence of thought and
reasoning as to the motive of the Ma
chimes announced generosity by assign
ing another probable reason therefor.
Coupled with the fear which the Ma
chine felt for its entire ticket by fur
Their antagonism from the independent
Democrats, was an apprehension that,
under the peculiar complications result
ing from the death of Mr.. Eggleston.
1t was almost impossible to elect a sub
stitute candidate for Secretary of the
Commonwealth. If the Machine had
thought it could surely elect a member
Of 1.-THE tribe" does the Journal believe
that it would have named Tucker man
for the place? Surely not. See how
indifferently, how coldly the Machine
has received the services of Mr.. Tucker,
of the press that supported him and the
men who fought so vigorously to secure
his nomination. It's just like the Ma
chine to conclude that if any person has
to be sacrificed it shall be some one be-
sides one of its own boys.
And, possibly, the Machine may think
that it can placate Colonel James if he
is elected, and have him in the future
speak the language of the tribe"
Is it possible that the independent
Democrats can be diverted from their
purpose to destroy the Machine by this
tub that has been thrown in their path?
Two years ago there was a surplus of |
nearly a million dollars In the State |