The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-18
6EFRslskShatHf =
WAR is DECLARED
| TO END ON FUSION
Norfolk County "Straightouts"
Appeal to Democratic State
Committee.
ASK FOR EARLY DECISION
Declare Straw Candidates and
Sham Primaries in Inter
est of Republicans.
ASK FOR EARLY DECISION
Especial to The Times-plspatch.


Norfolk. Va, July l7.-With unnl:s-
taxable enthusiasm the "Straightout'
Democrats of Norfolk county filled the
CRANKY Theatre tonight, and declared
war TO the end on fusion. Maurial G.
Long, c. w. Coleman, a. b Carney
and City Attorney George c. Cabell
were the speakers, and their denunci-
alton OF the present county govern
ment created great applause.
The enthusiasm was greater than
at any of the meetings held before the
primary.
Resolutions adopted amid great ex-
element. the audience standing and
cheering, asks the State Democratic
Committee TO take up the contest and
decide at the earliest possible mo-
ment whether straw candidates and
! sham primaries, held in the interest
/; of Republicans and those friendly to
their cause. shall be countenanced by
the Democratic party in Virginia
The preamble asserts that the pres
ent clerk Of the county, Alvah II. Mar
tin, was elected in 1887 on the ticket
with negro candidate for Common
wealths Attorney and a negro candi-
date for commissioner of revenue. and
that Notwithstanding, the Fusonists
now claim to have saved the county
from negro domination.
In sympathy With Republicans.
1t oialms that this year the cleo
toral board appointed registrars and
judges and clerks of election, every
one of whom is in sympathy with Re
publican county officials and those as
ISOLATED with them.
II says that in 1905 the Fusionists
bolted the primary when a pledge TO
support the nominees was required by
the State Committee. 1t further con-
tends that the Fusionsts have named
candidates who are running in the in
terest of Republicans; that in 1903
three candidates nominated in the So
called Democratic primary. receiving
over l.5o0 votes. aid not even have their
names printed on the official ballot in
the general election. and that Repub-
licans were elected without opposition
II claims that in 1905, Notwithstanding
the pledge on the ballot voted in the
primary. the Fusion nominees did not
get third OF the votes they received
in the primary. and their Republican
opponents were elected.
Another feature set out in the pre-
amole is that the county committee is
composed OF thirty members. seven Of
whom are candidates involved in the
contest, and twenty-eight of whom hold
county Offices or regularly receive
county contracts. Then follows:
Resolved. That the Democrats of
Norfolk county. in mass meeting assem-
Died. respectfully but earnestly request
the State Democratic Committee TO
take up and decide as early as practi-
cable the contest involving the noni-
nations for county and district Offices
OF NORFOLK county. in order that Il may
DC settled once for all, and beyond fur
tner controversy, that the highest au-
thority OF the Democratic party in this
state VIII not recognize fusionIsm;
mat no partisan and biased tribunal,
claiming to be Democratic, shall sit in
judgment on it's own case: that Demo-
cratic honor will not countenance or
permit straw candidates or sham pri =
marles, and that the Democratic Or
ganiZation in no part OF this State shall,
De forced or permitted to be under
the control OF a Republican boss"
Thrusts at Fusionism.
Chairman Maurice G. Long. of tho
otraightout campaign committee. cleo
trined the audience by his thrusts at
iusiohism and statements about the
county committee fairly and Impair
,iaiiy deciding the contest"
win unanimous vote the audience
saio they would carry the fight to the
state committee.
candidate for clerk OF the court. said
~ the Fusionists had their way B. C.
-N"rshail would be reelected Com
monwealth's Attorney and A. c. Crom-
Wen would be elected sheriff and
not mothers son of the other pri-
mary nominees would be elected.
| wouldn't you like to hear a Joint de-
pate between Alvah Martin and will
ioughby Wilson," he asked
MT Coleman charged that county
| funds had been used 10 buy votes and
mar bridges had been built for The
same purpose.
| CITY Attorney George c. Cabell spoke
d, 'he request OF the committee. He
o'ained the lethargy of Democrats for
eSiSt'hg conditions. and said the State
ohn'i'tee had been cheek by jowl