The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-06
STOP vOTE-BUYING
IN NINTH DISTRICT
People of Southwest Tired of
Situation and Want Pre-
ventive Laws.
CHALKLEY BILLS REPORTED
Trader i'll Votes to BE Disfran-
chiscd and Informcr Will
Be Immune.

Tired OF the use OF money In cleo
tons. which has reached the point
where none but the rich can aspire
TO public Office, citizens OF the Ninth
Virginia District appeared yesterday
afternoon before the House Commit.
leo on Privileges and Elections. to
ssh for favorable repor, on the
Chalkley bills designed 10 discover
and to punish bribery TWO of the
measures. on one of which y. J..
Robertson, Republican member OF the
House from Lee. where prosecutions
for election disorders have recently
been active, is ccpatron with John
". Chnlkiey, Democratic member from
Wise were reported favcrably, and
VIII go 10 the House TO-DAY. The re-
muin!ng bill, which refers to the pay
ment OF poll taxes for another, save
N.th the voters own funds. was pass
Cd By, ana it Is the impression that
the committee aid not altogether APP
prove IL
H. Tate Irvine. OF Big stone Gap.
told the COMMITTEES that tho Ninth
District wants to clean UP. 1t has
bSen case out there. he continued, OF
rghtins the devil with tire. and from
year 10 year the use OF money IN the
ZION has grown in proportions. Now
the better clemen; in both parties
fGycrs reform.
Would Help Pnrty.
From, q standpoint OF political ex-
pediency alone, said MIR. Irvine.
change would be a good thing. The
majority CT the property owners, and
the intelligent class OF the district is
Democratic, The changes offered were
Irp-
tiarksdaIe law.
The bill offered previously b. Sena-
tor Crockett, and drawn by Judge A.
PhleEar was detective, in -Ir.
Irvine's opinion. because 1t would put
premium upon bribery. II would en-
courag2 persons to testify against
vote buyers Tor reward, and juries
w!ll rarely convict on the evidence OF
al inIormer who is TO receive money.
Tn. CAGE i. weakened in the eyes OF
the jury.
On the question OF payment OF capl-
tetion taxes. Mr. Irvine said it was
clearly the Intent OF the Constitution
thu; these should be paid from the
voters own funds. Such law for
Bidding payment by another, might
work nardships in some oasas, but the
evils OF the proposition are SO we'll
recognized In The Southwest and per-
leave 10 loophole-
aioue. spent In Ninth.
The use OF MONEY IN elections III the
Ninth. said Mr.. Chaikiey, undressing
tie committee in behalf OF his bills
reached its climax in the campaign of
1910. when such an amount OF money
was spen, IN behalf OF henry c.
Stuart and {. Is. Siemp as would be
almost unbelievable. Tie people had
no
this sort OF thing. lie showed how
one OF his bills would result in dis
freHch's.ng vote seller vT buyer on
coaviction. and TO this end the mini
mum fine was cut out OF the Bgrks-
Gale law. The idea is not TO get the
sellers money, but TO dlsfranchise him
Forever. again. It was proposed to
amend the Law so that the !ntorner
FEa!l receive no pecuniery reward, but
."a!! be immune from prosecution
from any ofense he may have com.
.tted g. that particular election.
Z. W. M!lstend. Of Newport News.
discussing the poll tax feature. said
mat the only occasion OF open pay
MeHt for another IN his city was when
j. +. 3. Stuart stood In the court
rouse VIII. handful OF bills and paid
roilta&es for othsrs. we let HIM
pay all he wanted" for lie could no,
get enough votes to hurt US" said
Mr Miistead
Laws are OF little momen, unless
backed By public sentiment, said W.
\ Lana OF Nottoway, another mcnocr
OF the committee He dtd not think
the PROPOSED bills would do good un-
less the people oc the Southwest real
y wanted TO be rid of bribery. Mr.
irvine aud Mr. Challsley said the pco.