The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-14
TUESDAY, MARCH IA. 1911.
ALL FOR THESE REFORMS

ALL FOR THESE RETURNS
However newspapers and indivld-
uals may disagree with the purposes
Of the new League of Virginia Dem
ocrats. so far as they concern Sena-
tors Martin and Swanson, both of
whom this league desires TO defeat
for reelection, few newspapers and
comparatively few individuals apt
to differ with the league in its avow-
ed purpose to bring about legislation
which will give the State legalized
p primaries, provide for appeals from
registrars, abolish the fee system,
and provide for the selection OF
judges at the primaries by the regu-
lar electoral boards in the various
cities and counties. These purposes
are commendable, and meet our
hearty approval, but in the vortex
of the campaign about to commence
we fear that these laudable purposes
will be engulfed and lost sight Of
and should the campaign result ad-
yersely to the candidates OF the
league, Messrs. Jones and Glass
which is more than probable, then we
anticipate decided loss of interest
in the legislative program set forth.
Something ought to be done, and
promptly done. as this paper has re-
peatedly urged, to do away with the
chaotic and unsatisfactory conditions
now existing relative to our prl-
maries. They are irregular, loose
and in many instances corrupt apd
fraudulent, participated in by Re
publicans, who have no earthly busl-
ness voting in Democratic primaries;
regulated by no proper laws, and
generally condemned by fair-minded
men in this State. Hence something
should be done to compel the General
Assembly to place safeguards around
them by legalization. All political
parties should be compelled to hole
primary elections. and all should be
held on the same day. Election Off
Gals should be appointed by the
regular electoral boards. Appeals
should be provided from the
decisions Of registrars in both allow
ing and denying registration. Buy
ing and selling of votes either III
regular or primary elections should
be followed by disfranchisement, If
not for life then at least for term
of years, as is done in Ohio and many
other States. Until these things are
done by the General Assembly OF
Virginia we cannot hope for fair
elections and we cannot look for
decrease in the prevailing corrup-
ton. of course it by no means fol-
lows that this new league by pro-
mitigating these reforms is the only
body of Democrats who favor them.
Thousands of Democrats are Just as
heartily in favor of these things as
are members Of the league and at
the last session of the Assembly an
excellent primary bill was introduced
by Mr.. Byrd which, had it become a
law, would, we believe, have gwen
complete satisfaction. We believe
that Senators Martin and Swanson
themselves favor the reforms men
toned and the friends Of all Of the
Senatorial candidates, no matter how
much they disagree on the merits Of
their respective candidates, can at
least get together in securing the
enactment Of the necessary laws.
Few States, if any. will land three
such important chairmanships in the
House as will fall to Virginia. Hay
gets Military Affairs. Jones lnsular
Affairs and Flood Foreign Affairs.
The State will once more be in a
commanding position in the National