Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-03-11
Alsxaroria Gazeae.
SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH ii
DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE.


An organization which has Tor it
purpose opposition to what is known
10 Virginia politics as the machine, "
was perfected at meeting held at
Murphy's Hotel, Richmond, Wednesday
at which. were present number Of
men from various sections of the state,
including Congressman William A.
Jones, OF the First district, who is a
candidate for the Senate against
Thomas S. Martin, and Congressman
Carter Glass, of the Sixth district, who
is candidate for the Senate against
Claude A. Swanson. The organiza-
ton will be known as the Virginia
Democratic League. The headquarters
will be in Murphy's Hotel, Richmond
The officers OF the league are Dr..
c. Z. Gravatt, of Port Royal, senator
from the ThiItv.second senatorial dis
trict. president: John Garland Pollard.
of Richmond, who was a member Of
the congressional convention, vice
president; George Bryan. attorney. Of
Richmond secretary; C.. b Garnett, OF
Rihmcnd, general manager. Among
those identified with the new league is
Mr.. L. II, Machen, Of Alexandria
AT the melting OF the league the fol-
loving was adopted as declaration OF
the objects and purposes OF the league;
The objects and purposes of this
organization are, in brief, to promote
purity in politics, to secure fair and
untaiDted primary elections, to break
I'D the political machine which domi-
mates the democratic party in the
state, and to secure needed reforms in
legislation; and, therefore, We advocate
the following specific measures OF re.
form and relief:
I'VE favor legaliztd primary law
embodying the following features:
q. That smch primaries shall be
held by judges aud other officers tC
be appointed by the electoral boards.
2 That the expenses Of such prim.
aries shall be borne as are the expense:
OF regular elections,
g. That, with the statements re,
quired as to the money expended il
such primaries, there shall also be svorr
statements as to the sources from which
all moneys SO expended we're &c
ceived.
4, That tie amounts 10 Re e1peld,
sd b. ali candidates stall &c definitely
Limited b. law.
We also advo7ata law expressly
making It a crime to1 anyone t9 pay
OF to advance money t. another for the
payment OF the iatter's poll tax We
advocate law allowing appeals iron
the decision Of registrars. as wall loT
refusing to strike oft as for striking
out names from the registration list
aud making any act oi fraudulent reg
istration felony. We favor the
elsction Of the members of the State
Corporation Commission by popular
vote We favor aboiishing the system
OF paying fees TO public officers and
the substitution therefor Of regular
salaries. We favor the passage OF a
fellow-euploye's act, giving fuller and
fairer protection to that class Of our
citizens, We favor economy IN the
administration Of the affairs Of the
state, and the strict limitation OF ap-
populations to the revenues OF tie
state, and We favor the utmo st pub
licity in state affairs.
To the end that these objects may
be effected, we call uson all patriotic
de mocrats who approve Owl views and
purposes to unite with liz in this move
ment and to aid in reforming deplor-
able political conditions in Virginia. "