Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1911-01-19

Hon. w. A. Jones. congressman
sromthe First District, has announced
himself a candidate in the Demo
cratic primary to be held Thursday. |
Sept z. TO succeed T. s. Martin in
the United States Senate. Mr..
Jones has given out the following in
tervisw. which may DC regarded as
his platform:
Il have not arrived at this conclu-
sion hastily and inconsiderately. On
the contrary, I have endcavored 70
weigh carefully the many arguments
advanced by those who have been
urging me TO declare my candidacy,
and am not unmincful of the diff
culties which viii confront any Dem
ocTat who may have the temeriry 70
oppose the political aggregation
which fraudulenly assumes 70 be the
regular Democratic organization Of
my State. and thus arogates unto
itself power and authority which
alone belong 20 the Democratic par
~. and which should only be exeT-
cised in the interest Of AL the mem
bers Of that party.
IL, as consequence to the ex-
erciSe Of my right as a Democrat
and Virginizn 10 enter my psrty's
primary in my own State I am 70 be
classed as an 'insuTgent' or enemy OF
the organization. il clearly illus
trates the deplorable condition into
which the regular party organization
has fallen. The instant any combi-
nation or group OF men IN the party.
with OF without their own consent.
are designated BY common consent
as the Organization or the machine,
/ refrain from saying are so stigma
hzed, and that any good party man
outside Of that political ring is desig-
mated as 'anu-organization' or anti
machine. a situation has arisen that
demands remedy. I repeat, a Sc
nous situation for such a combina-
ton IS rotten with abuses. The per
nicious combination which delights
in styling itself the. organization.
and which has never Scrupled at any
means 70 accomplish its selfish ends,
has always endeavored TO maintain
ITS hold not merely by degrading of.
hce brokerage, which is merely
bribery ill-disguised. but by actua
frauds at the polls. In Virginia.
regret TO say. such frauds have beer
repeatedly committed at party pri
mares.
The pitifu' condition of politics
which has degeneTated into a Selfisl
strife among professional politician
for the spols ndApauonage Of of
6ce. necessarily obscure considera
ton of great questions of public pol
icy, and so the people of aState AM
the nation suffer woefully. If sen
ator or other public officer is chose
because he is a member of or friend
ly to. a certain ring or political com
bine called or miScalled the 'organi
zation.' the interests of the peopl
whom be is to represent are confess
edly subordinated to those of th
ring or combine. or are left out c
sight altogether. It was for thi
reason that at the Roanoke Conven
ton twelve years or more ago OF
tered the resolution. and at the MOI
folk convention had the suprem
satisfaction OF Witnessing It's triumph
ant adoption. that gave the Demo
Gratis of Virginia the right to choos
a senator for themselves. and M
have the choice made for them b
members of q legislature chose
mainly for other functions.
Il wodld not seek this office
any other way than at ths hands
the people, and / propose to subm
al the questions arising out of m
candidacy 10 the people of Virgins
face TO tace. il every city and couI
sty in the State. SO far as time an
my strength will permit. ! am nC
unmindful of the odds. The 81
called organization or machine hs
hsea long snszaashsd IA power, 1