Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-01-14
SIR. JoNEs,s ANNOUNCEMENT.

ItcptesCultllfC W. "a. o'ASS, - wy
First district, gave out statement OF
his candidacy for the q. S. Senate to
succeed Senator Martin. In his state
ment Mr.. Jones says:
Il shall be candidate at the sena-
torial primary which will be held in
Virginia Is August, next, for the seat
in the u. S. Senate which will become
vacant on the third day, OF March, 1918.
Il have not arrived at this conclusion
hastily and inconsiderately. On the
contrary, I have endeavored to weigh
carefully the many arguments adj
vanced by those who have been urging
me to declare my candidacy, and | am
not unmindful OF the difficulties which
will confront any democrat who may
have the temerity to oppose the politi-
cal aggregation which fraudulently
assumes to be the regular democratic
organization OF my state, and thus ar
rogates unto itself power and authority
which alone belong to the democratic
party, and which should only be exer-
cised in the interest OF all the members
of that party.
IF, as consequence to tao exercise
OF my right as q democrat and Fir-
ginian to enter my party's primary IN
my own state / am to be classed rs an
';insurgent" or enemy OF the organi-
zation," it clearly illustrates the de-
piorable condition into which the regu-
lar party organization has fallen. The
instant any combination or group OF
men in the party, with or without their
own consent, are designated by COM
mon consent as the Organization" or
the machine" / refrain from saying
are so stigmatized, and that any good
party man outside of that political
ring is designated as "anti-organiza-
ton" or "auti-machine," situation
has arisen that demands remedy.
| repeat, serious situation for
such a combination is rotten
with abuses, The pernicious combina-
ton which delights in styling itself the
organization, and which has never
scrupled ut any means to accomplish
its selfish ends has always endeayored
to maintain its hold not merely by de-
grading office brokerage, which IS
merely bribery ill-disguised, but by
actual frauds at the polls. In Virginia,
[ regret to say, such fraud has been
repeatedly committed at party pri-
maries, and in consequence OF recent
iudicial decisions, can hereafter be
committed without the fear OF punish
ment.
The pitiful condition of politics,
which has degenerated into 4 selfish
strife among professional politicians for
tho spells and patronage OF olhce.
necessarily obscures consideration OF
great questions OF public policy. and
so the people OF a state and the nallon
suffer woefully. If a senator or other
public officer is chosen because he IS a
member OF or friendly to certain ring
or political combine called or miscalled
the organization, the interests OF the
people whom he is to represent are con-
fessedly subordinated to those OF the
ring or combine, or are left out of sight
altogether. 1t was for this reason that
ut the Roanoke convention twelve years
or more ago l offered the resolution,
and at the Norfolk convention had the
supreme satisfaction OF witnessing its
triumphant adoption, that gave the
democrats OF Virginia the right %
choose senator for themselves. and
not have the choice made for them by
members OF Legislature chosen mainly
for other functions. ! would not seek
this office in any other way than at the
hands OF the people, and propose to
submit all the questions arising out OF
my candidacy to the people Of Virginia,
face to face, in every city and county
in the state, as far rs time and my
strength will permit. am not un.
Mindful OF the odds. The so-called
organization or machine has been long
entrenched in power, in my opinion.
much too long, and | believe the people
OF the state have become weary OF the
ntolerable abuses which its unrestraln-
ed power has brought upon them. II
my candidacy is, as / believe, in the
interest OF the people, have conf
dence that they possess intelligence
enough to decide for thems elves, and
I know they possess honesty, and
love OF honesty, and that they desire
to see fair play, and even if our party
primaries are to remain without the
protection Of the law, or such safe
guards as party convention may be
able to provide, should the organl-
zation' suffer one to be called, !
cannot believe they will allow me to
be defeated by corrupt practices and
devices. My appeal will be made to
the people, and I trust they will identi-
~ my cause as their own, and the
result OF the election can cause me no
loss or suffering, except as it may
affect them.
"My unremitted opposition to the
evil political conditions which | have
attempted to describe, and to the men
who are responsible for their existence,
and who have protited and continue to
profit by the same, is not unknown,
I trust, to the people OF my state. 1t
is my hope though my candidacy to
awaken my fellow-democrats OF Pir'
ginia to realization Of the danger
which lies in those conditions, and
which can only be averted by the
overthrow and destruction OF what IS,
popularity known as the political
machine and. Office brokerage
trust OF Virginia. To the accomplish
mont NJ tbis fash NAV be eSpected 10