The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-11
MACHINE"
LEAGUE
New Organization of Democrats.
Declaration of Principles.
DR.. GRAVATT, CAROLINE, PRESIDENT

Declaration of Principles.
/ DR.. GRAVATT, CAROLINE, PRESIDENT
An organization Of Democrats, op-
posed to what is called In Virginia
politics the machine" was perfect
ed al a meeting in Richmond Thurs
day, at which were present a num-
Der OF prominent men from various
sections OF the State, including Con-
gresham W. A. Jones. OF the First
District. who is a candidate for the
Senate against Senator Martin. and
Congressman Carter Glass. OF the
Sixth District who Is a caniadte for
the Senate against Senator Swanson.
The organization will be known as
the Virginia Democratic League.
The headquarters will be at Muir
phys Hotel, Richmond.
The officers are: DR. Charles t..
Gravatt, Of Port Royal senator from
Thirty-second Senatorial District,
president: John Garland Pollard. OF
Richmond. who was a member OF
the Constitutional Convention and
practiclng attorney. vice-president;
George Bryan, attorney OF Rich
mond. secretary; c. b. Garnett. SEN
Tor member OF law firm Of Garnett,
Pollard & Smith, OF Richmond, gem
eral manager
Among the Democrats said 10 be
prominently identified with the or
ganization of this league are Hon.
Ben r Gunter. AccOmac, member OF
State Senate; 0. d. Bachelor, attor-
ney OF Newport News: L. {. Car
nett. commonwealth attorney OF
Mathews county; Robert W. Shul-
tice, o. l.. Shackelford. A. b. Car
ney. James Elliott Heath and +. A.
Bilisoly. attorneys OF Norfolk; Chas.
V. Meredith. OF Richmond. who was
in the Constitutional Convention OF
1902; George c. Gregory, attorney
OF Richmond; Hon. K. Lindsay
Gordon. OF Louisa, member Of the
Constitutional Convention or 1902;
d. H. Barger. OF Shawsville. rail-
road contractor; w. c. Manson, at
torney Of Lynchburg; Hon. Penn
broke Petit. Palmyra; c. +. Jones
Of Carysbrook; Hon. Lewis II. Mach
en-. OF Alexandria; Hon. Aubrey b.
Strobe. OF Amherst; Thomas X.
Keith. Of Fairfax; Hon. A. r.
Thomas. OF Campbell; Hon. ST. Geo.
Tucker. Hon. A. J. Montague. ex-
Governor OF Virginia; Hon. NJ. l..
Walton. attorney OF Woodstock,
Hon. ". ". Woodland attorney Of
Hampton: Hon. VI ] Fulton. Hon
J. II. c. Beverley. OF Essex County
and Capt. NJ b. Rowe. Of Freder-
icksburg.
Objects and Purposes Of the VIZ
giuia Democratic League.
The objects and purposes Of this
organization are. in brief. 10 pro
mote purity in politics, to secure
fair and untainted primary elections
to break up the present
machine which il Is al
legged dominates the Democratic
party in the State. and to secure
needed reforms in legislation; and.
therefore. we advocate the follow
ing specific measures OF reform ana
relief:
We favor a legalized primary law
embodying the following features:
1 That such primaries shall be
held By judges and other OF
flcers to be appointed by the
electoral boards.
2 That the expenses OF such pfi-
marics shall be borne as are the eN-
penses OF regular elections
2 That. with the statements re-
ouirad as to the money expended I'D
such primaries. there shall also be
sworn statements as TO the sources
from which all moneys so expehueu
we're received.
That the amounts TO De eA-
nended BY all candidates shall De
definitely limited by law.
We also advocate law expressly
making IL a crime for anyone 10
pay or to advance money TO ano.h ne,
for the payment OF the latter po'
tax.
We advocate a law allowing ap-
meals from the decisions OF reg
istrars as we'll as for refusing to
strike out. as for striking out names
from the registration list, and max
ing any act OF fraudulent registra-
ton a felony.
We favor the election OF the
members OF the State Corporation
Commission by popular vote.
We favor the election OF Uhi'eu
States Senator's by popular vote
We favor abolishing the system
of paying fees to public officers ana
the substitution therefor OF regular
salaries.
We favor the passage OF lei,
low employees act. giving fuller and
faIrer protection 10 that class OF
our citizens.
We favor economy In the admin
istration OF the affairs OF the state
and the strict limitation Of appro-
priatlons to the revenues OF the
state. and we favor the utmost pup
licity in State affairs.
To the end that these objects may
be effected, we call upon all pa
triotic Democrats who approve our
views and purposes TO unite with
US In this movement and to aid in
reforming deplorable political con-
ditlons In Virginia.