The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-27


signed only by himself. marshelod the
Facts relating 10 the history of fusion
Ism In Norfolk county in somewhat
moro detail. He. too. condemned such
I'm alliance in this day. regarding 1t
rs indefensiblo. The issue Of straw"
candidates. put up not TO be voted for,
but named only In pursuance of an
agreement with Republicans. was re-
garded by Mr., Whitehead as the most
serious feature of the situation.
However. he could ind no satisfac-
Sory evidence connecting A G. Crom-
well. tho Fusion nominee for sheriff,
nor f. c. Marshall. tho nominee for
Commonwealth's attorney. with the
practice OF putting up "dHraw' oandi-
dates. and therefore regarded 1t as
unjust to deprive them OF the nomina-
ton.
He therefore suggested a new pr-
mary at which new men should BIO
put up for clerk. treasurer and such
STRAW candidates. leaving the names
c. Mr.. Cromwell and Colonel Marshall
on the Democratic ticket.
Referring to the county committee.
Mr.. Whitehead said that II II were the
same BODY which had conducted the
June primary he would advocate its
removal. But inasmuch as n commit
tee mas just DetU Sc4SCleN ny ~
Democrats Of Norfolk county in the
recent primary under party rules, he
thought 1t improper to interfere with
it, and said its member should be
recognized as the regular party au-
thorities.
Dcbrtc by Counscl.
Argument by counsel was limited
TO one hour for each side. beginning
shortly after 10 o'clock. H. Laurence
~
lie was followed by James G.. Martin.
who read cop.ous extracts from the
stenographic record in an endeavor 70
show that Alvah II. Martin, clerk of
Norfolk county and Republican ma
ttonal committeeman. took active part
in certain Democratic conferences. and
that a. C. Cromwell, Democratic sheriff
OF Norfolk county, had taken part IN
Republican meetings. Joined with ne
Groes in refreshments at such gath
Srings and admitted tina Alvah Martin
was his political boss and that Martin
furnished his official bond. His chief
argument consisted of an attack on
Sheriff Cromwell as The head and front
of fusion III Norfolk county. and the
chief ally OF Alvah Martin. and the
Republican party.
John \. Sebreil. Jr., chief counsel
Tor the contestees, in reply stated that
the charge of fusion was made only
by the opposing faction in the party,
the outs" and by its benehciaries,
the Republican ~.oficeholders, who re-
joiced in such factional splits In De-
Tocracy. J. Lindsay Heard, chief
counsel for the contestants, closed in
q vigorous attack oil fusionism, charg-
ing a general swapping II oficss In
favor of Republicans by means of ft.ke
or straw candidates.
West D~cnounces Fusion,
Colonel j. E. West, of the commit
tee. argued strongly for its main re-
pert. asserting that every page Of the
record demonstrated fusionism. 1t was
Q question of Democracy, he asserted,
not a mere factional fight: q question
whether the Democracy of Virginia
would kneel to Alvah Martin: 1t was a
question of political morality whether
the party would sand for political
hypocrisy. shams, straw candidates
and unholy alliances. He predicted that
the part, which stood for such ccudi-
lions would soon 60 down in eternal
defeat.
Why IS IT. he asked. that with
LOCO Democratic majority year after
year We cannot elect an entire Demo
cratic ticket in Norfolk county? There
has been Illegal registration and bad
voting, bit the saddest paH ut this
Investigation was when 4. C. Sfom-
well, q member OF this body, a m
Of the county committee and sheriff y
Norfolk county admitted that he voted
with the De l0crets, but he'd thrown
his moral support with the Republicans
10 support the Nlaion ticket.
Vote suAtains Whitehead.
Tae question was a-st called on the
minority report offered by Mr.. White
head as g substitute for the report OF
the committee, and the Watched
minority report was adopted by the
following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Z. d. Cole. c. F. Day,
". ". Sale. DR.. f. s. Hope, E. r. C,
Scott, Clyde w. Saunders. Simon Solo
mon, a. r Morris. T. ]. Arvln, J.
Taylor Thompson. Robert Gillian, r.
~. James. d. a Nicholson, George r.
Muse, c. c. Barksdaie. Judge r. Z. w.
Duke, r. =. Mcintyre. Paul Garrett,
II. I. Green, Joseph Button. Edward
Jchols, !. +. Whitehead.
Noes-Messrs. ]. f. West, Manly H.
Barnes. H. O. Humphreys. B. r. Buch-
,anan. 7. A. Lynch. William II. BIC
Sll!stcr,.i.
The'.roi" was verified and the report
OF the minority declared adopted 20
10 .. Mr.. Cromwell. a member of the
committee, and one Of the eontestees.
sat silent in the hall during the vote.
not answering when us name was
called and taking no part In the pro.
ireed!nss. Four OF the six noes we're