Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-04-04
THURSDAY. APRIL 4. 1912.
HE BLAME Is YOURS.


nominee, probably will sgree on
honor not to use money in the cleo
ton next fall. Such an agreement
would be stronger really than law.
We hope 1t will be made and ex-
pressed positively and clearly in
writing so that there can be no mis-
understanding. In Wise county, we
believe it was, the local candidates
IF the two parties made such an
agreement for the last local cleo
ton and, as we understand, lived to
it Loyalty. If nominees for county
offices can make and msintaiu such
a bargain surely men who seek the
high Office of representative of
great district can be trusted to do 1t.
LET by-gones be by-gones. There
IS no use tbrashing over old straw
or opening old sores. No matter
who began it or who was RESPONSE
bic originally. The miserable fact
Is that both parties have been to
blame, each. consideriug that it was
fighting the devil with fire. We
got the district into horrible and
disgraceful condition, becoming
worse with each election. Now the
public conscience and sense of shame
are asserting themselves. Judge
Skeen and others have been active
and Jealous in trying to cleanse con-
ditions and have done remarkable
work, considering the imperfect
laws they had with which to fight.
The time is ripe and ready for the
leaders Of the two sides TO unite in
a determined, faithful effort to give
Us decent elections and to bring our
people back to the old standards of
personal honor. These two men can
do more than any other two in the
state 10 stop the spread of loath-
some disease and the responsibility
of doing it is on them. Roanoke
Times.
What means this cry of the Roanoke
Times, Let by-gones be by-gones?'
Has the antitoxine of reform been in
jected into its system? And is the Sc
rum now struggling to overcome the
germs that have heretofore so frequent
ly made our Roanoke contemporary the
advocate and defender of all the wicked
devices of its party for robbing republi-
cans? Is the Times really trying to
help General Ayers in his proclaimed
desire to lift his party above the mire
of dishonor and disgrace" where it has
so long been wallowing. or is it making
this appeal 70 mislead republicans and
induce them to forego all criticism of
the fake efforts that courts and candi-
dates are now making to reform and
purify political conditions in the Ninth
district? The very endeavor of the
Times to place equal responsibility up
on the republicans with the democrats,
while not denying the origin of these
conditions with its own party, shows
that it is either whipped right now or
that it is trying to lead the republicans
of the Ninth into false security. In
stead Of each party being to blame and
each considering it was fighting the
devil with fire" your party, Mr.. Times,
has been belching forth its hellish flames
from every devilish device that could be
invented and put in your election laws;
and the republicans have been COM
PEELED to meet you in every battle with
barred breasts and brawny arms. Though
10 unequally equipped we have driven
your forces in confusion from many a
ield, and now you cry: Let by-gones
be by-gones.
Knowing the brave republicans of the
Ninth SO well, we can safely say thew
Eill be glad to strike hands with YOU
md battle by your side for honest cleo
ions, if they can be assured that YOU
ire sincere in your professions. But
hey have been too frequently wronged
" halfway professions of reform. Get
Town on your knees and make public
declaration of your many sins of com.
mission. And be sure to express hearty
repentance for your very recent effort
o persuade the democratic members of
he Legislature to violate the oath they
lad taken to support and maintain the
constitution. We mean, your effort to
ave them adopt the plan you claimed
o have originated for redistricting the
Ninth and Sixth congressional districts. |