The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-19

GERS are usually 1eoicc'cu, "'"""'
reference TO party lines or party organize
ten. The people Of the counties take care
OF their local interests, and do not pay
much attention to platforms and party ma
chinery. 60 far as the May election Is
concerned, convention Is not necessary.
The chief reason assigned by those clam
oring for n convention IL that 1t Is neces-
tary "to consolidate the union between the
Funder and Readiuster Democrats" II
the union was the outcome OF principle
nothing further IL necessary to It's CONSOLE
dalton: at least the leaders OF the Read-
cannot complain. our
leaders, with rare exceptions, took them In
their arms and pillowed their fATIGUED and
ERRATIC heads on their bosoms. The DEM
ocratic press, with few exceptions, be-
spattered them with the most fulsome
commentator. Now, in the name OF the
UNITED Democracy, we call 4 halt, and pro-
pose that these patriots be allowed to rest
on their laures.
Another objection 10 Reorganization OF
the party in the early spring Is the fact that
the supreme Court will not deliver It's Opin-
ion on the Statc-debt question until some
time i'm March. II this highest tribunal
should declare the Riddleberger bill I'M
constitutional the debt question would be-
come disturbing element in our State
politics, and we might have 10 again rectify
party lines. II is certain that IN such an
event some OF our recent recruits, OF whom
we are unseemly proud, would 20 back to
their first love, and again wallow in the
mire OF reputation.
We can see no necessity for n conven-
ton. Give us all a rest until the time ar
riycs to organize for the fall campaign.-
ScoHSUiRe Courier.
fClarke Courier.l
Hon. A. VI. Kelley, chairman Of the
State Executive Committee, has given
his views of the same question. We wish
he had come out earlier on this question.
as more haste than wisdom has been voiced
by 4 part OF the press in advocating the
calling OF state convention ut this time.
We have seen but one reason mentioned
possessing any weight for holding a con-
VentiOn-to wit. the necessity Of taking
some stand as TO the State debt, should the
Supreme Court OF the United States decide
the case now before it against the State.
Even this reason l. poor one, when we
reflect that the decision will have no bear
ing upon the law now in operation, which
is not before the SAID court. and which all
county treaSurers are bound to obey until
it is declared invalid-yiz., that nothing
shall be received in payment OF taxes eX-
cept gold and silver or other lawful money
OF the United States.
One OF the arguments urged in favor OF
convention Is that something should be
done TO bring into cordial relationship men
who lately stood on opposite sides OF di-
yiding lines. Grander than NIL the speeches
that can be made before a convention, more
practical and sublime than all the resolu-
tons and platforms that can be written.
was the tramp, tramp, tramp OF eighty
thousand Funder Democrats 10 the polls
on the eth OF last November TO vote for Mr..
Massey and Democratic harmony. Can the
leaders accomplish more in the interest OF
harmony than the masses OF the party did
by this wise act! What stronger testimony
can be given by Funder Democrats OF their
desire 10 "bury the hatchct" OF warfare
that has been 50 freely used over this debt
question: The earnest efforts OF RI ad-
ulster Democrats and Funder Democrats
that centered around Mr. MaSSey's candi-
dacy do not call for further action TO prove
the sincerity OF the political brotherhood
then and there established for Nirgnia's
good and safety.
More important than any other issue that
can be sprung upon NirginianS is the ne
cessitv that exists for Oyerthrowing bossism
and the power OF the bread-and-butter
brigade, propped up as it is by the ballots
of the ignorant "iaithful allies" No new
are needed, nor can additional
party discipline be evoked, to impress Dem
ocrats OF all shades OF opinion with the
gravity OF the situation.
The May elections will have no bearing
upon this issue. and the action OF a State
Is not likely to influence voters
in determining who are most competent 70
ill the county offices.
[Dlnville Rcelster.l
Then LET the committee determine what
is best for the party and act accordingly;
but whatever may be its INSTRUMENTATION
a convention shall be called to meet in
March, or June. or later-let the Conserya-
tiyeS OF the state begin to prepare at once
for the coming elections, both OF May and
November. We must redeem the State or
the State is ruined. Malone has hit our
material interests hard blow, and if he
succeeds in perpetuatinS this Coalition rule
it will be worse still.
There is one gratifying fact which has
been made apparent by the free discussion
OF the convention question. and that j. the
fact that in future those Democrats like
Massey and Hale and Fulkerson and Ly-
brook, who at one time divided from the
party on the debt issue, now, like the
regular Democracy, regard that issue u
disposed Of, and will act tremendously
with the party in future. such Reidjustcr-
Democratic leaders rs those we have named
and their followers will hereafter fight in
the regular organization against MahOneism
and ArthurlSm, whether State cOnycn-
tion be called very shortly or be postponed
for several months.
II has been argued that convention viii
bring more closely together all who oppose
the Coalition-Republcan party, and no
doubt it will make their union more appa-
rent; still we think they arc TO all intents
and purposes together now. Those who
are for Malone are plainly enough with
him. There Is no mistaking them.
Petersburg Appeal
So far from discovering any reason for
conforming the conference at the Metro
politan Hotel in Washington between Mr..
Kelley and the Democratic delegation in
Congress from this State, we heartily APP
prove it. Ii any one can speak with au-
thority for the people, surely the men elect
ed a. representatives hy the popular vote
may do so. True, they are not vested with
to speak on this particular sub
icct, but they are the immediate represent
atives OF the people. fairly presmmablc to
be familiar with their wishes, fully in their
confidence, and, in the absence OF the pos
siDility Of an expression on the part OF the
people at this time. can speak for them
with more propriety than any one else.
We think Mr.. Kelley is right in making
every effort to ascertain the views OF the
people before he yields to the camor for
an early convention. The interests in
Volyed are too mOmentous and the hazards
To o.ron. 81. hnat,- .ntiot, On, ~. un...L