An Interesting Discussion
February 16, 1895
Summary
The Attorney General of Virginia argues that it is lawful to present several types of ballots, though the law states that there should only be one.
Transcription
The discussion between the Daily Times and the Richmond Dispatch relative to fair elections has become decidedly interesting and the latter journal’s explanation of why the Walton Law was engrafted upon the Anderson-McCormick Electoral Boards Law decidedly amusing.
All of this was done, it alleges, to protect the few thousand Negro-Democratic voters in the state from the prying eyes of their Republican associates.
Secrecy is absolutely essential so far as the Negro is concerned although it is advised that the Democratic special constable be called in to mark his ballot for him.
The fact that the Attorney General of Virginia rendered an opinion declaring that it was lawful for the Electoral Boards to have printed several kinds of ballots with the names of the candidates thereon disarranged is a telling indictment against that official and opens the way for severe criticism, as is also the action of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in sending circular upon the subject to the Electoral Board.
The law provides that there shall be but one ballot, not several kinds of ballots.
Thus the officials of the state have been guilty of practicing trickery upon the people of the state.
This was done to ensure party supremacy and demonstrates conclusively to what depths into the mire of politics some sworn officials can be made to go.
A voter unquestionably had the right to take any step he might see fit to mark his ballot, be it to count the number of names from the top, the length of the line or to “go it blind,” and trust to luck as to whether he would scratch out the proper names or not.
The people of the country are watching the outcome. The Times has proven its case, and ballot-box thieves have been convicted as a result of its startling exposures.
It is in favor of honesty. It condemns trickery. No right-thinking man can fail to endorse its course. No true Christina can hesitate in giving it abundant encouragement and support.
All of this was done, it alleges, to protect the few thousand Negro-Democratic voters in the state from the prying eyes of their Republican associates.
Secrecy is absolutely essential so far as the Negro is concerned although it is advised that the Democratic special constable be called in to mark his ballot for him.
The fact that the Attorney General of Virginia rendered an opinion declaring that it was lawful for the Electoral Boards to have printed several kinds of ballots with the names of the candidates thereon disarranged is a telling indictment against that official and opens the way for severe criticism, as is also the action of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in sending circular upon the subject to the Electoral Board.
The law provides that there shall be but one ballot, not several kinds of ballots.
Thus the officials of the state have been guilty of practicing trickery upon the people of the state.
This was done to ensure party supremacy and demonstrates conclusively to what depths into the mire of politics some sworn officials can be made to go.
A voter unquestionably had the right to take any step he might see fit to mark his ballot, be it to count the number of names from the top, the length of the line or to “go it blind,” and trust to luck as to whether he would scratch out the proper names or not.
The people of the country are watching the outcome. The Times has proven its case, and ballot-box thieves have been convicted as a result of its startling exposures.
It is in favor of honesty. It condemns trickery. No right-thinking man can fail to endorse its course. No true Christina can hesitate in giving it abundant encouragement and support.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cord Fox
Citation
“An Interesting Discussion,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed June 17, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1356.