Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-11-09
DEATH ii. KNELL TO FUSION
Democratic Victory in Norfolk Coun.
@ ty SO Viewed

One result of last Tuesdays eiec-
ton in Virginia which overshadowed
all others in political importance was
the crushing defeat administered 10
Norfolk county fusionism when the
straightout Democrats elected by 500
majority their legislative and coun'
ty tickets. Virginia's political lead
ers see in the result the end of the
practice in Tidewater Virginia OF Ger
tain Democratic and Republican office
holders banding themselves together
to dominate the political and fiscal
affairs of their communities.
The Fusion party in Norfolk county
was headed by Democratic and Repub-
lican officeholders of that county who
controlled the election machinery, the
Republicans and Democratic county
committees, all elective and appoin-
tive Offices, and the Board of Super
yisors that had charge Of the fiscal
affairs of the county. It's influence
became so strong that it extended be-
yond the limits OF Norfolk county.
The Republicans in the "ring" had
as their share of the political spoil
one half of the county Offices.
Fuaionism had its birth in political
conditions in Virginia when the negro
voted. The negroes were in the ma
jority in Norfolk county. which IS
the most populous and wcalhtlest in
the State. They elected at one time
q negro Commonwealth's Attorney
and negro justices Of the peace. The
conditions in consequence of negro
rule became intolerable. Certain
Democratic leaders as 4 result went
to the Republican leaders and made
pact by which the county Offices
were to be equally divided between
the white Republicans and white
Democrats.
When the new Constitution, dis
franchising negro voters in Virginia
became effective Virginia's people
thought the Norfolk county fusion
would end, but its power was found
to have grown too great. The Con
stitutional Convention, in order TO
prevent negroes registering, named
the county registrars. Fusion sym
pathizers in this convention obtain
ed the appointment Of their friends
rs registrars, and 300 negroes were
placed on the registration books in
Norfolk county. This negro vote, to-
gcthcr with the white men in sym
pathy with the Fusion party sulficed
10 keep the FuSionists in control of
both the Democratic and Republican
parties in Norfolk county.
The cry against Norfolk county flu
Slonism soon pecame general over
the State. 1t was denounced as the
most rotten political condition" in
Virginia. Finally the Democratic
State organization, giving car to the
feeling against it, began to cut loose
from the Fusion leaders. The first
step was the election two years ago
of c. w. Coleman, straightoat, as
judge of Norfolk county. who had the
appointment of the election officials
Then fusionism began to wane and
last Tuesdays election is believed to
have sounded it's death knell.
The county Offices Of Norfolk coun-
ty are the best paying in Virginia.
1t is said that the County Clerk, who
was a Republican under Fusion con-
troll, gets between $25 20 and $50, 900
annually. The two Commissioners Of
Revenue receive about $4,000
and the County Treasurer about
$4,000. These large salaries were
due to the old fee system, which still
remains 4 part Of Virginia's method
Of paying some Of its officials.