Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1910-12-01
HEB GOOD INTENTIONS.

1t msy be that some of the Demo
cratic politicians and newspapers in
Virginia were very much in earnest in
their repeatedly expressed good inten-
tons toward reforming political condi-
tons in the State. The conditions that
have prevailed since the proclaimiug of
the new constitution prove that the re-
formers have lacked the courage of |
their convictions. They were clamor-
Gus for a new organic law, with the an
nounced intention Of providing pure
electorate, to curtail the number of
office-holders, Il reduce the expenses of
the State government and to give us
honest politics. These were good in
tentions, but they have been undevelop-
ed and the reformers are compelled to
confess that they have failed in every
particular intention.
When the constitution was made the
State was under the absolute control of
a Democratic Machine The Democrat
&c members of the constitutional con-
vention were so eager to perpetuate
Democratic rule in Virginia that they
directed all their time and talent to
that accomplishment. II seems that
they have perpetuated Machine rather
than Democratic rule. For eight years
they have been groaning and whining as
the Machine has proceeded to crush
their hopes of political advancement.
Instead of a pure electorate, there is,
possibly, as corrupt electorate as has
ever been known in the Commonwealth.
The Democrats steal from each other
in their primary elections, and they
steal from the Republicans by legisls-
tive enactment and at the general cleo
tions when it becomes necessary to elect
their candidates. Fraud is more truly
the badge of the Virginia Democracy
today than it has ever been. The num-
Der of office-holders have been doubled
and the expenses of the State govern
ment have been Increased in ike pro-
portion. Incapable and unworthy mer
have been elevated to the highest posi-
lions in the State, and the blush OF
shame colors the cheeks of the more
sensitive Democrats when their atten.
ton is called to these facts.
The Democratic reformers are grow.
ing desperate again. Such men as the
Hon. Carter Glass, of the Lynchbure
News, and Mr.. Lindsay, of the Char
lottesville Progress, are openly express
ing their disgust over the situation
Both of these were members of the
constitutional convention, and wrought
hard in framing the partisan constitu.
ton which has given to the Machine
much betters facilities for making its
power and influence invincible than il
formerly possessed. In their effort tc
destroy the Republican party in the
State these men have supplied the
means for their own destruction by the
''ofice-holder' trust"
Now the anti Machine element of the
Virginia Democracy are trying to de-
wise new means of rescue from the
thraldom in which they are being held
by the Machine men. They find that
the primary system which they urged,
and which the Machine, with seeming
reluctance, accepted. is another power
full instrument of destruction which
they have placed in the hands of the
enemy. And the so-called reformers
are crying aloud for a State convention
of the party, with the hope that a
scheme can be devised by which the
anti-Machine forces may have some
chance to overthrow the Machine at the
elections next year.
We venture to predict that if such a
convention is held that the reformers
will fail to accomplish their purpose,
and that the outcome will be increased
power for the Machine
The anti-Machine Democrats have
been too selfish and partisan in the ex-
ereise of their good intentions, and
should recall the saying that ''hell is
paved with good intentions. -
G
That legislator in an eastern state
L. = Al. l. L L