The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-31
PRIMARY OF CONVENTION.
What Is the Best Plan to Get the Best Ticket
Nominated for the House,

At an early day the Democratic City
Committee will be called upon TO consider
and determine in what way the nomira-
tions for members OF the House OF Dele
gates can be made so as TO secure able.
! earnest. and popular candidates for the
party.
For several years past the nominations
have been made by primary elections. II
will be a question now TO be decided, after
fair expression OF public opinion and
due consideration, whether that plan or a
convention will best promote the objects
aimed at by all good and true members OF
our party and well-wishers OF our cause.
II primary election is to be held the
committee will on this occasion be asked
to ponder whether private ballot will
not be more effectual mode OF securing
the popular verdict than the uiua roce plan.
1t is argued on behalf OF a private ballot
that many OF our worthiest citizens do not
60 to the polls because OF an unwllingness
to give offence to friends by scratching one
and voting for another, and il is likewise
maintained that OF those who do vote there
are many who vote openly for men whom
they would not support were the ballot
private. Further, that since the count can
bt IlOlil nun W Ithl IL
didates to combine their strength and push
through together, when otherwise some or
all Of them might fail but for the "combi-
nation"
That is one view. The other is that the
UirG-rOce vote "is the manifest way;
that it enables friends of all the parties to
the contest TO keep an exact account OF all
the votes east, and thus removes suspicious
OF error or mlscount, which by any other
process would probably arise; or ii such
suspicious do arise, by this plan they are
easy of solution, since both the ballots, en-
dorscd by the voter, and the pol-books,
kept by the election officers are accessible
On behalf OF a convention ITO which del
egatcs may be elected either by primary
election or ward meetings. il is urged that
at this time, and for this occasion. it would
probably be a wise change from the beaten
path, and that it is particularly desirable,
since the places TO be filled are rather OF
honor than emolument, and it is held to be
wisdom TO have the amplest range Of Sc
lection. This, it is contended, would be
best secured by the convention, since some
who would not submit themselves to the
toll and expense Of popular canvass
would cheerfully let their names go before
q convention.
There is much to be said on each side
for the primary and for the convention.
Undoubtedly the City Committee wish to
decide wisely. They have no personal ends
to serve. Their only wish is to see a satis-
factory ticket nominated. The better the
ticket the more they will be pleased. AS
suredly they would like to hear what their
constituents think and say, and it is n good
time now for the people to talk with and
write to committeeman on the subject.
There ought TO be no fear OF brewing trou-
bic. Our vote comes out best after the
people have had friendly contention on
points OF policy.
The following shows the number Of votes
cast in the legislative primary elections for
several years past:
september T. 10. whole number votes cast. 3 800
October "a, IT. whole number votes cast. 2,377
September 10. whole number votes cast..2, leo
September 6, ,'Sl, whole number votes cast. LIZA