The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-22
Judge Skeen Presides at Or
ganization of Fair Elec-
tons Society
RECOGNITION OF
MOOSE is FORCEL
Regular Republicans Fight
Against 1t, But Demo
Gratis Aid Third
Party People

Especial to The Richmond virgiuian.a
BRISTOL, VA, Oct 2l.-Both
Democratic and Republican leaders
from every county in the Ninth dis
trict took an active part today in the
organization OF the Ninth District
Fair elections society at largely at
tended mass meeting, for the express
purpose OF putting an end to the
wholesale corruption Of the electorate
OF the district. Election bribery In
the Ninth reached it's climax two
years ago In the Siemp-s-.
when II is believed that 100000 was
spent at the polls.
One of the most prominent and
successful Republican politicians of
the district said today that there are
ten thousand voters in the Ninth
district. who regularly sell their
votes at every election. He mention
ed one instance In the last election in
-ss.iaicsas a. single voter received $50
for his vote.
Judge Skeen Presides.
Captain j. r. Buliitt, of Biz Stone
Gap. was elected president of the as
soc-ation; three ytce presidents We're
elected for each county and for the
city OF Bristol: George Taylor, OF
Wis-, was elected secretary and SEN
ator A. T. Lincoln, OF Marion. treas
urer. A considerable sum was raised
by voluntary subscription TO further
the work.
Judge III. a. w. Skeen, OF Lee coun-
~, whose sensational disclosures OF
conditions in his county that arc be-
lievcd TO exist ia most Of the other
twelve counties Of the district. at
.racted national attention. was ehaa
man OF the meeting and made
vigorous talk IN which be said that
the movement and The gathering was
a protest against the destruction of
the manhood OF the district by pol
iticians who collected and disbursed
immense Doodle funds To control the
elections. He said that the purpose
of the assoc ation was to make hon
esty, intelligence and capabiiity pre-
requisites for Office In the district in
stead OF corruption Jackpot.
Bull Moose Butts In.
The Bull Moose party came near
causing serious trouble In the meet
ing The original bylaws called Tor
one vice president for each county.
senator John e. Meet, Senator A. T
Lincoln and other prominent Repuh-
iicans said that there should be two
one from each of the two parties Al
this iuncture Hon John l.. Einstein.
of Pulaski. champion OF the Bull
Moose party and Graham's campaign
manager, declared that he favored
only one. but II there were two the
number should be increased to three
to give hts party representation
To prevent trouble motion TO in
crease the number To three from each
county was carried by majority of
one. Senator Walter Dickinson. OF
Russell. declared that there was no
Progressive party in the district and
some of the other Republicans were
beginning to think that the Demo-
Gratis were too eager to recognize the
Bull Moose party. which has candi-
date against Stomp.
Circuit Judges To- Help.
A resolution was adopted asking
the circuit judges of the district TO
cooperate in the movement to pu-
rify elections in the district. Some
thought this unwise inasmuch as the
judges are sworn to enforce the law.
hut the motion was urged by Judge
=. C., Brown, Of Taxeweii. and pass
ed.
49, The purpose of-tffe assoeiatfs5f r.
to pledge every member against the
use OF money or the contribution of
any fund except for legitimate en-
penseS OF a campaign. The plan ~
to hunt out violations of the cleo
ton law. II was stated by the speak
ers that the situation in the Ninth is
so serious that 1t Is eatin1 at the
heart of the district.
CendiAatca Sign Agreement.
Committees representing Congress
man c. h. Siemp and General h. A.
Ayers early this morning completed
an agreement. which the candidates
both signed. under which neither side
Is to spend any money in the COM
Ing election except for legitimate cam
paiGn expenses. Publication Is to
be made Of the campaign FUND by eac:,
fore the election. showing list Of
all contributors. together with
amounts subscribed. amount expended
and for what. These statements are
10 be sworn to and published.
Under the agreement the Democrats
are 10 allow Mr.. Elemp to nominate
his own~Republican Judge at each pre-
cinct instead OF the practice OF the
Republican judge being selected by
the Democrats. General Ayers and
Congressman Slemp both signed. The
committees were In session seven
hnaarR