The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-12

I
elections to be honest. but tho people
must believe them to be honest. We
must provide things honest in the
sight OF all men, and we could hardly
come within this scriptural rule IL
the machine names. as 1t has done.
nearly every Judge in the primary
7 elections. and If the State Committee
declines, as 1t has done. even to in
terferc by recommendation or other
wise to avoid this palpable injustice
both to the candidates and the election
judges themselves.
The commercial standards OF the
machine-In Virginia, as in most of
the States. the machine is slow in
movement and ineffective in operation
unless enerGized by much money The
very nature of its organization re-
quires money. Personal canvassing.
poll lists. tabulation of votes. their
position and leanings. leaders OF State.
leaders OF districts. leaders of cities
and counties and leaders of precincts
and of blocks of i've with confer.
ences and cost of transportation, ad,
vertisements and purchased space in
newspapers. payment OF poll taxes.
large number Of stenographers and
clerks. rents and postage and many
other expensive details. unknown to
the uninitiated foot up large sum.
Closed Against Poor Man.
Again the machine closes the door
against the poor man. What does the
large primary entrance fee of $4,000
mean but this? What do the sympathy
and support of great corporations
mean but this? What do the contri-
buttons OF great interests through
their almoner. Mr.. Barbour Thompson.
mean but this? Indeed. was a ma
chine ever known in the Democratic
party of Virginia until Mr.. Thompson
appeared on the scene in the interest
cratic party ever know machines or
factions until this good man came to
make and MAJ our fair concord?
1T must be conceded now that he
secretly disbursed large sums of
money TO various candidates Of the
General Assembly in times past. He
was the arch fat frier.' and he deftly
applied the grease to the cogs of the
machine. Time. which is wiser. but
better than men. lifted the veil. and
the events naked and true come rush
ing like waters long pent up. but still
muddy and stained.
The defense comes slow and feeble
indefinite and unresponsive In the
| form OF a plea of white supremacy
| These large sums were not dis
hursed to build up a machine but
to save Virginia from negro DONNA
ton! But why collect and disburse a
fund for campaign which is ended7
why buy assurance already assured :?
But was white supremacy then i'm
periled? holdover majority of a
Democratic Senate answers. No. A
rev contested seats In the House Of
Delegates answers. No! 4 Democrats
Governor in the person OF the gallant
Mckinney from the heart of the black
belt answers from his grave. No! But
in the face OF this veritable Gibraltar
OF white supremacy. Mr.. Thompson
and his close companions and friends
would have us believe 1t was neces-
sary to wave back the Imaginary
black hosts with the flag of the 'crum-
pied green! How ludicrous IL sin
cere! How lame and impotent, If
fabricated
THE speaker. however. would come
nearer homo. II white supremacy
was so desirable that indefensible
methods had to be employed for Its
accomplishment. why did both of tho
present United States Senators oppose
the Constitutional Convention Of 1906
the chief and avowed object of which
was to guarantee for all time the main
tenance of white supremacy? And why
has the machine since the operation
OF this Constitution so foully and ef-
fectually attempted to impair and Grip
pie white supremacy? Let Norfolk
county AMI the frequent and unnec-
essery admissions Of negroes upon the
registration list answer.
He would return for a moment to
1881 and 1893 to ask was not Fitz
Lee in favor OF white supremacy?
Who dares say he was not? Dill he
think the blood OF his race was so in
jeopardy that he or his friends found
1t necessary to disburse funds In sec
ret to candidates for the Legislaturec
Did not the friend or friends of GEN
eral Lees oppon ent do this? And
did not the investigating committee
decline to permit an answer to the
question as TO who were these men
who received these secret funds?
Fnllncy of Argument.
But the defense is also that these
things were done in the distant past.
twenty years ago. Are the gentlemen
aware of the fallacy and impropriety
of this argument? Would they really
interpose the statute of limitations?
consideration by the people Of the
whole public record OF any man seek
ing great Office To maintain such an
argument is to confess ones self an
enemy OF the people.
But are there not nearer days for
Mr.. Thompson? Was he not In Wash
| ington some weeks before Senator
Daniel died, endeavoring to secure the
| machines pressure upon the Cover
nor for immediate assurances that Mr..
Swanson should be appointed upon the
death OF the fatally-ill Senator?
Upon one branch OF this topic he
would ask who were responsible in
attempting to hold the General AS
sembly in extraordinary session that
/ honor might he paid to the dead re-
mains of the then living Senator? Was
, there ever In America such an ignoble
pretext avouched over the tll-bed of
sny statesman? Was there ever be-
fore submitted In a legislative body
a motion so extraordinary, motion
so coarse, motion at once so hypo-
critical and gruesome? But The 'rna-