The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-22
Newport News. Va. April 90. 1917


Law Offices,
Newport News Va, April %. 1917.
, Rev. James Cannon, Richmond, Virginia:
My Dear Mr. Cannon have read the pr.
tieIe entitled "A Disgraeeiul Record" printed
in The Eirginian April 18Th. copied; AZ !
understand IL, from the Christian Advocate.
In this article you seem to take for granted
that the wet cities of the State arg corrupt
politically, and you say, ''rhese' (referring to
gambling hoils balot-box suffers and fraudu-
lent registrationl are the natural, the neces-
4sasy-fs1e= ever present product of the saloon"
/ aubn,i. that your statement Is wholly IN
applicable to the city of Newport News. and
that the inference that the reverse of this Is
true, is wholly unfounded in Virginia.
Newport News is yet. but it is the only
/, ptaee-in- the State sefar al know where
fraudulent registration and ballot-box stuthng
, has TO place. On the contrary, IN my 1uds-
-na;lt- leading the state In clean elec.
TONS IN clean methods OF election aha IN
clean remedies to prevent fraud in elections.
do not believe that there has been doubt
of the absolute honesty OF the elections in the
city of Newport News since the consu
tuition went into effect on the contrary, In
many counties of the state. IN many counties
in this congressional district which are dry,
it seems to be the right and proper thing to
deny the minority party a Judge aud clerk Of
It's own choice to prevent fraud, or good and
intelligent TO represent the minority
party, and the political corruptness is in my
Judgment. In many counties as far-reaehing
or would be far-reaching. in close con-
test under existing conditions as it was under
the old constitution.
1t has always seemed to me that the only
hope of prohibition continuing. even if inaug-
urated as Il policy OF this State lay in an
absolutely fair ballot with honest registrati ton
and an honest count, and ] have been greatly
surprised that the leaders in this movement
have not been more active for honesty in the
general elections between the political parties
do not believe II possible to have honest pr'
maries until you get, honest elections.
| ask you, in fairness TO my city and in the
hope that where the anti-saloou men are suf-
Hciently strong to drive 1t out. that they will
use their efforts to prove to the people of the
State that where liquor traffic Is drgen out
honest elections assured.
In regard to your criticism of the disgrace
full record Of the senate and the equally good
record of the house. ] you will have
sufficient friends IN the coming Democratic
repudiating the record Of the senate and
dorsing the record of the house. And II those
VINO think like YOU want the people Of Vfr-
ginia 10 know how the Democratic party
not he difficult for you 10 find out in the method
suggested As a member Of the opposition
party, challenge you. those who think
like You, to offer such a resolution IN the
state convention, and II ii Is not reported
from the committee Gas is so frequently done),
II might be again offered an amendment to
any resolution that may be brought in. An
endorsement of the State administration VIII
he rather endorsement of what the senate
I'D, o? what the senate and the house did
together and could not possibly be considered
an endorsement Of the policy OF either.
! would not have YOU believe from this let
that writing In favor of the sitoons
J have always favored your enabling act but
an writing in the interest Of honesty and
public knowledge Of the facts q they exist
and in defense Of my own city beIieve that
dishonest administration, whether at the bal
lot h>x or elsewhere. and nothing is better for
people thar the abolition of the liquor traffic
under an honest administra ton.
] am harding copy Of this to the i5cal
'kap"f. Very truly yours.
tSigned) GEO. NWTSE