Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-27

tees nor Speaker nyrd's bill was
passod. and the wrongdoer breathed
freer once again.
I In the recent Congressional primary
In this district. In August last.
charge was made by the defeated
candidate. that his success FIJI Oppon'
ent had been nominated by fraud.
great meeting OF Democrats. irrespcc-
five of faction assembled in the city
of Norfolk. In one OF the thealcrs.
and demanded an investigation OF the
charges. Tho District Congressional
committee referred the matter 10 the
state committee. and after inil M
yestigation by a subcommittee. their
report was adopted by n full commit
Tee. with one dissent. declaring me
urinary void because of frand. The
election officers charged with com
hitting frauds were promptly indict-
cd and the indictments against them
were qnashed i'm the last few days.
because the Judges held there was
no law on The statute books TO punish
offenders IN primary election.
If there be no law in Virginia 10
nunish offenders in the primary cleo
lions. these offences may be repeated
in the future. Shall this state OF
things continue to undermine our par
~ and sap It's vitality? What advant'
age Is Il Ia appeal To the people TOT
their endorsement OF some great prin-
chile. If their registered viii IN IT'S
favor can be stolen from them and |
the robbers cscapeg While II Is true
that the Legislature. II called. would
he composed In a large measure OF
the same members who refused TO,
enact the law presented 10 them last
winter they would yet come to the
consideration of the question with al
ditjonal light upon the subject which
they nave never had before. Law
yers all over the state were divided
in their opinion as 10 whether thel
provisions of the statute books were
sufficient to meet the case of primary
elections. The judges have disposed
of that question Low. and held that
there Is no such law.
| an informed that when the report !
of the subcommittee of the state
In the recent Norfolk Fri
mary case. was brought to the city |
of Richmond. il contained a recon- |
mendation for a legalized primary. but /
that before it's final adoption, this pro- ,
vision was stricken out. In 0tner
words. IL was stricken out before the
report was presented TO the fun COM
mittee. By whose influence. ! know
not. but il may be that this same
influence has been used in the past
acting such law; but whatever mat
influence may be. it must yield tas
such influences have been known 10
Weld beforel to the just and reasona-l
BILE demand of the people for honesty
In all their elections.
] speak not for myself alone. but
for the great body of the Demociatici
marty OF the State. when say that
the Democrats of this state have de-
termined. without regard to results.
or whom it may effect. that fraud IN !
our elections must cease. and the per-
petrator. Of II be punished
Tho opportunity afforded you, the
governor OF the state. with Initial
power to call the 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 party than that by your act. THIS
blot upon the fair name of our party
shall be forever wiped out and frauds
in elections made impossible through |
out the length and breadth OF our be-
loved tate.
With my best wishes for the sue |
cess OF your administration in all
things, ! am,
Very truly your obedient servant.