The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-02
POINTS IN POLITICS.
PROGRESS OF THE CANVASS IN RICH
M0ND AND COUNTIES ADJOINING.
Suggestions as to Prfmary.EIection
ana Convention Plans for
Nominations.

suggestions as to Primary-ElectiOn
ana Convention Plans for
Nominations.
In this section OF the State the Democrats
ore at work as they never worked before,
the memorable campaign OF 1869 hardly
excepted. They realize now the stake for
which they fight. A taste OF Coalition
rule makes them crave no more Of IL. and
they are going into this canvass knowing
what would be the crushing consequences
OF defeat. and are therefore resolved to win.
In country and city they are organizing, as
certaining their own strength and the
strength OF the enemy, and preparing to
bring out their vote. 49,.
CANDIDATES TO WORK.
1t Is significant that oratory is not alone
to be depended upon by them. At last
they have learned that no matter how
loudly one applauds the eloquent utterunce
OF Democratic sentiments he is usless to his
party unless he is registered and comes out
or Is brought out 10 vote. There will be
public speaking and barbecues and all that,
as heretofore, but there will be other things;
that Is to say, ward and district clubs, pre-
cinct bands, and system OF house-to-
house visitation. The candidates are ex-
pected to be afield early and late. They
were nominated as leaders, not simply that
they might have the honor and glory and
per diem OF the places. In all the labors Of
the campaign they are expected TO point
the way; to cut out the work, aud to take
q heavy share for themselves. Our nomi-
nations are OF men fitted for the task, and
almost without exception they are already
on duty.
GOOD NEWS EVERYWHERE.
The news from every direction is that
our people are inspired with the greatest
confidence by the leadership of Mr. Bar
bour. They know that il they get out a
full vote they will win. The Senate is
within their grasp, and the House is to be
had by proper effort. There is no doubt
that the enemy Will resist desperately, but
with the people thoroughly aroused he
will be unable TO stand the attack, and will
have 10 yield.
WHAT is RICHMOND DOING!
Richmond Democrats have re6rganized
their City Committee. and are now re-
organizin. their ward clubs. Soon they
will be making their nominations for the
House. We have no senators TO elect
Senators Atkinson and Lovenstein hold
over.
There is a question whether we can Sc
cure the best nominees by convention or
by primary.
III there is to he a primary it will be con-
eidered whether we should vote uiUd Uoce
or by ballot. exactly as at the elections held
under the law.
There seems to be sentiment in favor of
a change from the Uird-roce system.
TICKETS.
a change is also demanded by some in
the matter Of tickets, which, under the
plan that has heretofore prevailed, could
only lie had at the polls. The voter had to
make up his ticket right there in the midst
of the crowd and be beset by importuni-
ties from friends OF the candidates. a good
many preferred to stay away from the polls
rather than run this ordeal. The friends
OF the candidates about the polls have be-
come more and more persistent year by
year, and the legislative primary vote has
been steadily declining. 1t is contended
that the tickets ought TO be distributed
broadcast two or three days ahead, and
that the voter ought to be allowed to make
up his ticket in the quiet Of his own home,
and not be subjected to annoyance at the
polls.
The idea Of the committee in keeping the
tickets back until the day Of the primary
was to prevent combinations OF candi-
dates as far as possible. Now, that was a
very praisewOrty purpose but ii it has
ever prevented any such thing, the dis
covery thereof hos not yet been made.
Our voters are intelligent and independent.
They want the widest liberty Of action.
They resent any curtailment Of their priyi-
legeS by taking 10 part IN primaries.
IL the committee should decide against 4
convention, it would be well for them to
consider whether more people could not
be induced TO come to the primary by
having a secret ballot, and by printing the
tickets as heretofore and allowing the yO-
ters opportunity to prepare them at home,
WOULD A CONVENTION De BEST?
The fact that our party here in Rich
mond has prospered under the primary
election system is 4 strong argument
against change; but for this occasion il is
by many thought to be desirable to put
forth an eXtra-strong legislative ticket, and
il is argued that convention can seek men
who are needed for the emergency; where.
rs in a primary there is no such thing as
the nomination running after the man
except in rare instances it is the contrary
Our cause throughout the State would
receive prOspering impulse by the nomi'
nation in Richmond OF men OF eminence in
their pursuits OF life, whether said pursuits
be law, commerce, manufactures, or what
not.
THE PAST.
The public have no cause OF com
plaint against those who have heretofore
served us in the Legislature. They were
fairly nominated, triumphantly elected
and did their duty. They were able tC
help in warding from Richmond the calam
ity of a charter that would have made tho
Council Republican and the police and
fremen mixed like the School Board.
If we fail this fall, our charter will surel!
be remodelled. The enemy extended nc
mercy TO the cities and towns they were
able TO reach before the Big Four revolted
Why should they spare Ricbmondy i
they have the majority in :he Legislature
land Heaven forbid y they will fix th'
Council; they will have the police, ent
they will build the new City Hall. So il
comes about that this year more than eyel
the Democrats must have the best nom
inees possible, for the good that it will dC
the canvass here; for the good that it viii
do the canvass in the country; for th'
good that it will do Richmond and Vir
ginia when they get TO the House. For al
of which reasons the best plan to get th'
best men should be selected.
What that plan is the committee can onl!
adopt after they have had full discussion
HANOVER AND CAROLINE.