The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-27
TUCKER Seeking
EXTRA SESSION
she'll Thereafter be dtsquaHhed 1rO11l
voting or holding Office

Continued From First Pagel

1
a1n pursuance of this declaration OF
the Constitutional Convention, com
posed of ninety Democrats, out OF one
hundred mem hers, there has been an
urgent demand from the people that
that provision should be enacted INTO
law The state Democratic committee
has had the question before II lor
years Tho State convention held at
the city of Roanoke. two years ago.
approved Il declaration fayoring4 such a
law. and requested the state commit
tee to formulate and press TO us pas.
sage, law in consonance with the
constitutional provision. The commit
tee formulated and presented such a
bill to the last Legislature. speaker
Byrd likewise presented bill, which.
by many, was regarded as adequate
and complete. Neither the committee
nor Speaker Byrd,s bill was passed,
and the wrongdoer breathed frcer once
again.
I'm the recent congressional primary
in this district, in August last, a
charge was made by the defeated can
didate that his successful opponent had
been nominated by fraud. a great
meeting of Democrats, irrespective OF
faction, assembled in the city of Nor
folk, in one OF the theatres, and de-
nanded an Investigation of the charges.
The District Congressional Committee
referred the matter to dhe state Com
mittee, and after full investigation
by a subcommittee, their report was
adopted by full committee, with one
dissent, declaring the primary void be-
cause of fraud. The election officers
charged with committing frauds were
promptly indicted, and the indict-
mcnts against them were quashed In
the last few days, because the Judges
held there was no law on tho statute
books TO punish offenders in pri-
mary election.
In, in nix 10
punish Offenders in the primary cleo
tions, these offenses may be repeated
in the future. Shall this state OF
things continue to undermine our
party and sap its vitality? What adj
vantage is it to appeal to the people
for their Endorsement of some great
principle, If their registered will in
It's favor can be stolen from them and
the robbers escape? While it is true
that the Legislature, il called, would
same members who refused to enact
the law presented to them last winter,
they would yet come to the consdera-
lion OF the question with additional
light upon the subject, which they
have ncvor had before. Lawyers all
over the State We're divided In their
opinion as to whether the provisions
of the statute books were sufficient to
meet the case of primary elections. Tho
Judges have disposed of that question
now, anu Nelu tnat tneTc is no SuCll
law.
Says 1t Was Stricken Out.
81 am informed that when the re-
mort of the subcommittee of the Stntc
Committee In the recent Norfolk pri-
mary ease was brought to the city OF
1T contained recommends
ton for II icGnlized primary, but that
before its final adoption, this provision
was stricken out. In other words, 1t
was stricken out before the report WIS
to the full committee. BY
whose Influence, I know not, but 1t lnny
be that this same influence has been
used In the pnst to prevent the LcEis-
iuturc from cnnctInS such b law; but
whatever that influence may be, 1t
must yield Cas- such Influences have
been known to yield hcforc1 to tho
last and reasonable demand OF the
people for honesty In all their cleo
tions.
q speak not for myself alone but
for the great body Of the Democratic
party. of the State, when say that
termined. without regard to results,
or whom it may affect. that fraud In
our elections must cease, and the per-
pctrators OF it. be punished.
"'rhe opportunity afforded YOU, the
Governor or tho state. with initial
power to call tho Legislature for this
good purpose. to write your name high
upon the rolls OF the noble men who
have preceded you can never be
clearer or greater. and / can wish for
the administration of Your high Office
no greater claim to the admiration OF
your marty than that, by your act, this
blot upon the fair name of our party
shall be forever wiped out and frauds
iii elections made impossible through
out the length and breadth OF our be-
loved state.
with my best wishes for the success
OF Your administration in all things,
/ am
"Very truly your obedient servant;