The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-08
The Congressional Nominees.

We do not take Il for granted that the
Democratic state Central Committee will
call a State Convention, though 1t seems
probable that they will do so. When we
sec such papers as the staunton pfndtca'or,
the Rockingham Register, the Lynchburg
Advance, the Harrisonburg Old Common
soealtk, and the Portsmouth Enterprise
saving that II would be better not to call a
convention we need no other evidence that
there will be in the State Central Commit
tee two opinions on the subject.
II has not been the custom to hold State
conventions except when aGovernor OF VIZ
einia or q President Of the United States
was to lie elected that year. When Gov
ernor is 20 be elected, there are no con-
gressmen TO he elected; and when Presi-
dent Of the United States Is to be elected,
the convention has to meet In the spring in
order TO send delegates to the Democratic
National Convention. There is, therefore,
we think, no precedent for convention
this year; and nobody would have pro-
posed one, or thought OF one, we judge,
had Il not been for the fact that a candidate
for congressman at large was to be brought
before the voters.
Let us suppose, however, that ConVeh-
ton is to be called, and consider some OF
the consequences. The State Convention
of last year met On the 3th OF August.
That was none too soon. But OF course
no Convention can be held this year before
the latter part Of August-that Is, IL the
people are really TO be consulted, and there
are to be county meetings in each county
for the purpose OF sending delegates TO
Richmond. The Central Committee VIII
meet on the 12th-Wednesda next. The
first court-day afterwards, at whichapopu-
lar meeting can be held, after any Sortoj no
tice. viii lie the oath. 1t will require, at
the lowest estimate, four more Mondays,
or county-court days, for the appointment
of delegates TO the State Convention, espe-
cially as one OF these Mondays will be the
fifth in the month. AS the delegates will
not I'll lie appointed before the 21st Of Au-
gust, the Convention cannot assemble be-
fore the last week in that month.
But before the last week in August every
Democratic nominee for Congress ought to
be in the field. The State Convention viii
re0rganize the party and appoint new COM
mittees; and the eongressional-district com
mittees, il new ones be appointed, will sue
ceed at once 10 the right to call conven-
tions to nominate candidates for Congress.
Can the party afford to await their action
Surely not. Mr.. STUBS is right. The pre-
sent committees must act, and must act
forthwith. The congressional-district con-
ventions ought all to be held in August.
Otherwise, there will not be left sufficient
time for the nominees TO canvass the seye-
raj districts. 1t is unfortunate that such
state of things should exist; but it does
exist, and there is no help for it now.
The State Convention can prevent ell
trouble by continuing the present congress
sional-district committees, or by refusing
to appoint any at all. There VIII be
another State Convention in 1884, long
before the time for another congressional
election, which Convention will appoint
delegates TO the National Convention, and
select new congressional-district commit
tees. So that there will be no necessity Tor
such committees to be appointed this
year. Thus will all fear be dssipated as to
q conflict between new and old committees.
Let the present committees, therefore,
proceed forthwith TO provide for con-
ventions in the several congressional dis
fricts