The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-15

We should adopt the Oregon plan Of
requiring each candidate to send TO
the secretary OF the State a statement
OF his platform. The platforms of all
the candidates are then printed to-
gether in one pamphlet by the State
and sent out by it to all the voters
under l-cent stamp at the joint ex-
pense Of all the candidates The ex-
penses OF the candidates could then be
limited to 25 per cent of the first Years
salary. and yet every candidate, how
ever poor. would be able TO place his
platform before every voter in the
state.
The corrupt payment Of poll taxes
is another prolific source of fraud. and
perhaps affects the State more gen
orally than any other OF the election
evils from which we suffer. We fnd
mat thousands OF venal voters. black
and white. have their poll taxes paid
for them by men who vote them like
sheep. In some parts OF the State so
many ignorant and corrupt negroes
have been placed on the registration
books that they threaten again to bring
PACK condition which is responsible
Tor the present bluntcd political con-
sciences OF SO many Of our otherwise
good people.
can conceive of no worse enemy
OF Virginia than the man who, TO ad-
vance his political or business interest.
would aid in putting corrupt, ignorant
negroes back upon our registration
DOCKS Such a man is traitor 10 his
country. and should be punished as
such And yet we have failed 10 enact
laws which would put d stop TO such
heiarious practices. If am elected
Attorney-General OF Virginia. | shall
lei no false conception OF my duties
Keep me from using the influence OF
the Office TO Put an end to practice
so irausht with danger TO our people.
Would Work for schools
There are many other questions
which shall discuss during this cam
PalSn but ] shall content myself in
THIS. my opening speech, in dwelling
upon those qu estiCns which l consider
most fundamental. Before my cam
paiSn closes l shall give my position
on every issue o, tie day, So that II
! elected. no man will be able To say
i that obtained the Office under false
| pretcnses 1t is proper on THIS occa-
SION for me 10 add that | am deeply
! interested in the public school system,
! OF the state The fact that The Attor-
| ney-Generai IS eX-officio member of
the State Board of Education was an
important factor in my decision to
| become candidate | shall reserve
! Tor d later speech discussion Of the
interests of our schools. but wish
now 10 Say that believe in a com
| plete divorce ment of schools from poll
| ties. Oar children deserve the best
! and, il elected, | shall not consider
! Tor moment allowing any party or
lactlohal consideration TO interfere
/ win my dut! to keep my eye single
To tfe intellectual and moral welfare
OF the children. upon wnom tie bur
den OF the state must soon fall
IN conclusion wish TO add that 81
! the people of Virginia think my ser
vice In aiding in framing the present
Constitution, and my twenty years OK
| pellence in compiling and ammo
'ating their statutes. and like en-
Pc'iehce IN the active practice OF the
law render il 10 their interest TO nickc
me their chief law officer. | shall he
| Elad TO be elected Attorney General OF
| Virginia II. on thc'~otnor hand the
| people in their wisdom should prefer
the services of another. shall con
| 'lnue to be very happy in the shades
| or private life. am not so foolish as
20 pelieNc mat my election is OF SUI
| premc Importance either to myself OF
TO the state. The cXacting demands
on puolic official. the criticisms to
winch he is subjected, the unkind ana
oiteh uhtru" things when are said
ABOUT him, have long since brought
me to the conclusion that there is
nothing In the holding or public OF
nee unless one can feel the conscious
ness OF having rendered his people
some real and enduring service !
coVet this CT portunity, and if am
! elected / pledge myself to a faithful
| performance OF my duties. and to the
| advancement OF progressive measures.
/ i am Woodrow Wilson Democrat.
have studies his politics. | approve
mis- course. / earnestly desire to CO.
! operate with those OF tho like mind
nftf tp,~
IN me mirch cf progress Ii all Dem
ocrats will do this. the old factions
! VIII disappear, and party harmony
Will he restored. The knowledge OF
the fact that these are my sentiments
Is bringing me hundreds Of assurances
| or support from those who are willing
10 put aside factional alliances ana
unite In the election Of n man whose
face Is turped towards the future"