The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-27
AMONG THOSE PRESENT.


cratic State Convention at Norfolk re-
minded one of n session of the General
Assembly-;lll the old familiar faces
were there. There was a grand re-
union OF the Legislative iobbyists-mcn
who had no conceivable connection
with the convention rhronged there
like the hands at the cashiers window
@" pay Gay. Some were delegates.
which was natural. for many of our
rolitest ana most affablc ofIiceholders
are the local leaders in their counties
and cities, maintaining their power ana
prestige because of the power given
them through the countless sums rc.
ccived by them IN fees for their work.
a lot OF the fat fee officers were there.
and they belong 10 all fcc;ions and are
confined TO none. The only possible
assumption which can be advanced for
the presence of some In Norfolk is
that they feared somebody might sug-
sest plank in the platform calling
Tor the abolition of the fee system es
for tho condemnation OF the lobby me-
thods pursued by the onceholders'
legislative shue,zenfest, but the plank.
60 far as we know. wac not offered.
and II 1t had been, the ayes would
have had it. If there had been any
mention Of bringing up resolutions
contrary to the onicchoiders personal
Interests, the fee gentry were potent
enough to choke them Of
The Tlmcs-Dispatch is more than
ever convinced OF the Righteousness OF
two positions which 1t has maintained.
ta) the fee system should be abolish
Cd; 90 the proposed constitutional
amendment permitting unlimited ten
urc In Office to city treasurers and city
commissioners OF the revenue should
be defeated. An independent investi-
gator questioning dozens of delegates
a. the Norfolk convention found a very
general sentiment against the fee sys-
fem. and the passage of the amendment
referred TO. This expression of opir
Ion was confined TO no faction. inter
est or geographical lines. 1t was fur
ther agreed that the organization
formed by the fee officeholders is still
most powerful, and only very gen
eral campaign against the amendment
will insure its deserved defeat There
- widespread Indifference among the
people based on unfamiliarlty with
the facts in the case of the Plumber
bund VS.. the People.
The Eastern Shore Herald diagnoses
the case as we'll as It Gamble diagnosed
when 1t says;
The Herald recognizes the fact that
& he Indifference of the masses fur
I{Ishes the opportunity of the bosses.
ID this convention above all things
DEMONSTRATES that the people should
of ert themselves more and command
wither than serve when the party In
Try SITS are at stake This is the sort
Mlemocracy needed. and not the cold
Is tiage sort that comes canned ready
'lmurruse."
NIiss,e naifferepce of the people In the
Jiobois Communities of this State and
G t,he various counties is unquestion-
lns responsible for the power ana
20 tnh.sance of the oficcholders' combine
MACE Is too little understanding of
.culp,grisly evils that troop behind a
aathehe fee officers; there Is too much
'", Sltary submission to the viii Of
Chase folks. The oGlceholders thrive
Lyon the State does not. ana that Is
$50 the cause of the omceholders
~ selfish as 1t is successful Tho
on. after ell, IS not so much OF
oney involved as it Is of prin-
The fee officers through the
that their long continuance in
~ has given them. are able
troll in many cases the cleo.
or the General Assembly.
al bosses in Office are. therefore
dictate to the legislator who
he sees it. nothing to gain and
sc by going IN the face Of tht
ers al home.
II the result? Legislation Fl
s.r.szp of the onceholdors has I'll,
e-Nay. Legislation which woult
e----,- .hc good OF the state is side.
ensG2 Everything that bears Tin,
S9llg}%sprosress or reform is stine,
sylWHIEed. because progress in on,
/? IE@lE,1ight in some far-off star
i4|MgIE:ress in making our govern
tYlsGIE hinery better ana more ef
lg|aHEJ ficehoiders arc running Wy
IL iSyNJJ long will i, be before tn
tYlsGs ETgplc run them? There car
l3 gssH.ys instructive reform in thi
f5lxGJIM lth until the power Of tGH
5YlNIEsgbers has been broken an,
Is leESlE558%Sasrip on the progress Of Tn
tYISssksWsSs all time
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