The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-08
LEAGuE ELECTS
ITS NEW OFFICERS
Subjects Of Interest to Munich
palities Discussed by
Delegates.
NEXT YEAR AT CAPE CHARLES
Addresses on IAN Honest Ballot
Feature of Closing
Day.
NEXT YEAR AT CAPE CHARLES
lspecial to The Times. pispatch.

Charlottesville Va, October THE
League Of Virginia municipalities
closed this afternoon, to meet next
year at Cape Charles. at a date TO be
fixed by the Mayor OF that town.
officers ware elected for the ensuing
year as follows: President, r. e.
Steed, OF Norfolk: Vice Presidents
Mayor j, Davis Reed, of Portsmouth;
Mayor Maryns Jones, of Newport News; .
j. Frank East, of Norfolk. Secretary
and Treasurer. L. c. Crimson, OF Ports
mouth.
Charles f. Ashburner, OF Stanton.
retiring president OF the association.
spoke on the Citizens Duty in
Municipal Government and Lieu
tenant c. p. Shaw, Of Norfolk. showed
why the commission plan succeeds
Health Commissioner Ennion G. vii
liams told OF the health work in the
State. and DIT. Roy * Flanagan. Of
Charlottesville. spoke on The Diseases
a Municipality Can Control and How TO
Do It" Municipal Taxation was the
subject at paper by Mayor Marquis
Jones. of Newport News. r. W. Hol-
singer, president of the charlottes-
VILE Council, replied TO an address de-
liyered last night by former Mayor
Patton. in which the latter discussed
the faults and failures of government
by council.
AN Honest Bniloi.'
The feature of the closing day OF the
fifth annual convention or the League
of Virginia municipalities. was the able
address by Barton Myers. of Norfolk, on
the subject, The Fundamental Re-
quislte--an Honest Ballot"
The Mother OF States and Presidents
is not taking the position in national
councils to which her brilliant past en-
titles her. said Mr. Myers. Govern
men, in State. cities and counties is
expensive, inefficient and not abreast
that of the most progressive states.
with honora BILE exceptions, mediocrity
characterizes her representatives In
Congress. in Legislature and in e&ecu-
tive Offices. while commercial and In
dustrial corporations have attracted her
ADLER men. There is apa thy amongst
voters. large numbers not qualified 10
vote; corruption in elections: DONNA
ton OF political bosses; indifference &c
economic questions, official inefiiciency
and expensive administration.
The people of Virginia are generally
honest. but their voice is throttled and
they are in large measure dlsfran-
chised through the operation of im-
perfect laws and unlegalized primaries
administered by minions OF Demo
cratic machine. which. like an octopus
has extended It's tentacles into the re-
rnotest corners OF the Commonwealth
and dictates State and municipal legis-
lation. Party organization is essential
the more thorough II is, The more eth
cient. But The machine is a factor
within the party. faction embracing
Office holders. the liquor interests anc
,,y, ~ inn q Inn
inunity for violations of law. These
make common cause. and through local
executive committees appoint judges OF
primaries, and SO manipulate them fo'
personal ends. and not for public well
fare as to cause widespread distrust
The people are burdened with fees FOL
services Imperfectly rendered; laws
are generally poorly administered, and
apathy pervades the electorate.
Fraudulent Elections.
Referring 20 fraudulent elections
Mr.. Myers said: TT Is vain to contend
that elections are honest in many sec
tions OF the StAte; the whole State is
involved. Frauds perpetrated in one
congressional district in a State cleo
ton may decide the election and ir
effect disfranchise majority Of the
voters OF the entire State, Aye, more
theft in one precinct may nullify the
vote OF the majority in the State The
State press has roundly denounced the
shocking conditions disclosed in the
Second District primary. but 1t seems
probable that the Second District II
no worse than some others. where gull.
has not been exposed only because
there has been no investigation. To
the credit of the Second District be IL
said that 1t is the first to have de-
manded a house cleaning. The re-
sponsibility rests on rbe entire State
for its failure TO require legislative
enactment OF an adequate primary cleo.
ton law and for the existing condition
In relation thereto.
TT Is evident there should be ar
education of the people,. he continued
through the press of the State and by
all other possible means; enactment OF
an adequate primary law, publication OF
lists OF those who vote. mandatory
purging of registration books at req
ular intervals. abolition of poll tax as
prerequisite to voting. abolition OF
the payment of fees to officers In the
larger cities and counties. which could
be designated as of the first class, and
covered by general law.
Need of New Primary Law.
st Is Of vital interest to the entire
State to enact such primary election
law as will inspire confidence and will
bring out and properly deliver the vote.
Judges and clerks in primaries should
be selected, not by an executive COM
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