Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-08-18

Machine. In Virginia, as in most o1
the states, the Machine is slow il
movement and ineffective in opera
tion unless energized by much
money. Personal canvassing; poll
lists; tabulation of votes; their posi-
tion and leanings; leaders of State,
leaders of districts, leaders of cities
and counties, and leaders of pre-
cincts and of "blocks of five," with
conferences and cost o ftransporta-
ton; advertisements and purchased
space in newspapers; payment of poll
taxes; large number of stenographers
and clerks; rents and postage, and
many other expensive details, un-
known to the initiated, foot up a
large sum.
Hot Shot For Thompson
Again the Machine closes the door
against the poor man, What does
the large primary entrance fee mean
but this? What do the sympathy
and support of great corporations
mean but this? What do the con-
tributions of great interests through
their almoner, Mr.. Barbour Thomp-
son, mean but this? Indeed, was
Machine ever know min the Demo-
cratic Party of Virginia until Mr..
Thompson appeared on the scenes
in the interest of white supre-
Did the Democratic party
ever know machines or factions until
this good man came to make and mar
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 deft-
ly applied the lubricant to the cogs
of the Machine. Time which is wis
er but better than men lifted the veil,
and the events naked and true come
rushing like waters long pent up,
but still muddy and stained.
The "Yellow Dog" Fund
The defense come slow and feeble,
indefinite and unresponsive in the
form of a plea of white supremacy.
These large sums were not disbursed
to build up a Machine? But to save
Virginia from negro domination?
But why collect and disburse fund
for a campaign which is ended?
Why buy assurance already assured?
But was white supremacy then i'm
periled? A holdover majority of a
Democratic senate answers, No! A
few contested seats in the House of
Delegates answeres, No! A Demo-
cratic governor in the person of the
gallant Mckinney from the heart of
grave, No! But in the face of this
veritable Gibraltar of white supre-
macy, Mr.. Thompson and his close
and friends would have
us believe it was necessary to wave
back the imaginary black hosts with
the flag of the "crumpled green"
How ludicrous, if sincere? How
lame and impotent, if fabricated!
The speaker, however, would come
nearer home. If white supremacy
wa $50 desirable that indefensible
methods had to be employed for it's
why did both of the
present United States senators op-
pose the constitutional convention of
1906, the chief and avowed object
of which was to guarantee for all
time the maintenance of white su-
premacy? And why has the Ma
chine since the operation of this con-
stitution TO foully and effectually at
tempted to impair and cripple white
Let Norfolk county and
the frequent and unnecessary ad-
missions of negroes upon the regis
tration list answer!
He would return for a moment to
1891 and 1893 to ask was not Fitz
Lee in favor of white supremacy?
Who dared say he was not? Did
he think the blood of his race was
so in jeopardy that he or his friends
found it necessary to disburse funds
in secret to candidates for the leg
islature? Did not the friend or
friends of General Lees opponent do
this? And did not the Investigating
Committe decline to permit an an
swer to the question as to who were
these men who received these secret
funds?
But the defense is also that these
things were done in the distant past,
twenty years ago. Are gentlemen
aware of the fallacy and impropriety
Of this argument? Would they real
ly interpose the statute OF Iinl.,a
lions? Should technicalities ever
prevent the consideration by the peo-
pie of the whole public record of any
man seeking great office? To main
tain such an argument is to confess
ones self an enemy of the people.
Thompson and Swanson
But there are nearer days for
Mr.. Thompson? Was he not in Wash
lngton some weeks before Senator
Daniel died, endeavoring to secure
the Machines pressure upon the Gov
ernor 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 for
to hold the General AS
sembly in extraordinary session that
honor might be paid to the dead
body of the then living Senator? Was
there ever in America such an ig-
noble pretext avouched over the ill
bed OF any statesman? Wa sthere
ever before submitted in a legisla-
tive body a motto nso extraordinary.