The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-19
RINGS AND "REMINISCENCES.

RINGS AND "REMINISCENCES.
What Is ring In Virginia and where is 1t |
and wherefore and why? Observers may observe
from time 10 time some excited and oracular re-
marks, not only about the "malign hidden power"
supposed to be conducting this Commonwealth
to destruction. as already it is in the depths
,s degradation. but about the county and local
and courthouse rings. These organizations are
supposed TO rule us. One or two esteemed
contemporaries and several agitated correspon.
dents in their columns tell us they do Yet 1t
Is curious and discouraging fact that while we
are warned almost daily of the deadly danger.
aobody will locate 1t point 1t out to us We
aever can get names, places, facts or details
Dur reformers and agitators most unhappily
Tague and large and mysterious. They tell us
n awestricken. thrilling Mortified tones OF the
'ings and the maign powers. They tell us also
Or hint TO us. OF "plunderbunds" and members
If the general assembly bribed or scared or
driven TO improperly, nowardice neglect or
sillainy by influence. Yet when we call for
aames, we are answered by chilling silence
naughty and contemptuous silence. maybe 1t Is
but yet silence and therefore unsatisfactory and
lninforming. 1t does seem that a reformer busy
reforming should welcome the help of the hum
olest recruit Yet when The Vtrginian, with the
Eager anxiety of volunteer. asks to have pointed
sut TO 1t some OF the traitors that they may
Be punished and exposed. some OF the weak
hngs that they may be removed 1t has no an
river. We too. would join ioyfully In the brave
battle our neghbor the Times-Dispatch, has
been trying TO organize against the local rings
rushing. plundering and destroying the people
md devouring their substance; but nobody will
,how us a ring or tell us where we may find
,ne that may hunt 1t down and do battle
With it. We cannot learn how ring Is
formed. what it consists, in Virginia. 1t
seems to live in perpetual ambush to abide In
he darkness. TO have Its home in the next
county, to be dreadful but elusive as the Banshee,
seard shrieking o. nights. but never seen of
mortal, to possess the fearful qualities of being
invisible and impapable, like ghosts. spooks.
.raiths and weir wolves and the other formless
out petent Inhabitants OF the air and darkness
1t thought Of which children and nervous PEG
pie shudder
SO we are led to suspect that the ring con-
lists of citizens who have acquired Office by
he simple, old-fashioned process OF receiving
more votes than their rivals; and that the
gloomy but valiant warriors against the ring
frequently citizens who desire Office or have
,een defeated for it In the painful, but familiar
way of falling to command sufficient votes. About
he Courthouse Rings" especially we fear this
the case. Always We hear about the Court
aouse Ring; and always We ascertain that 1t
consists of persons who have developed MAORI
les the evenings Of election days-times when
najorties really valuable-and who, there
TORE may be supposed to have some of the re-
spect, confidence and good WIFI OF the voters.
Twenty-three years ago South Carolina was
1t peace as Virginia is to day. There then as
acre now, the people seemd to be contented and
prospecting, The crops appeared and produced
IN their seasons, wealth was increasing, the
churches were active and efficient the school sys-
.em was being developed. Then rose the cry that
he State was possessed and being ruled. ruined
and trampled under foot by an "oigarchy,"
which consisted then Of Generals Wade Hamp-
ION and NJ C. Butler In the United States SEN
ate. There Was also the mpassioned. rhetorical
solemn prctestation against the rings" espe-
aally the Courthouse Rings" Tillman was tho
csult and he ruled the State with iron hand !
The liquor dispensary with Its long and shame.
lui story of thieyery. debauchery and open
plumber result Blease, the present gov.
srnor. Ia a result The State was redeemed"
from the "oligarchy" and reformed. When the
:e:ormers arrived in power and had opportunity
Tor peering they could not discover that a del
Ar Of State money had been misapplied or