The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-11
peIorates at LARGE.

Why did the Democratic State Convcn.
usn Of Pennsylvania elect six delegates at
large to the Democratic National Conven-
tionf Because Pennsylvania has con-
gresham at large. 30 have Arkansas,
Georgia, New York, North Carolina. and
virginia; whilst California has two, Kan
xas four, and Maine four (alD.
IL thus appears that Virginia, like Penn
sylyania, VIII be entitled 20 six delegates at
large In the Democratic National Conven-
ton, though the general impression seems
to DC that she Is entitled 10 only four. How
this impression was produced, we know
not; nor upon what is based the theory
that Virginia must not send two delegates
70 represent her congressman at large
The state Central Committee. In Us formal
call for the meeting OF Sta.e Convention,
omitted all reference 10 this point.
The question turns upon whether the
other delegates TO the Chicago Convention
arc to DO selected by the congressional dis
tric;s rs they arc now represented In the
House OF Representatives. or by the con-
rresslonal districts as these We're arranged
by the Legislature a; its last session. 1t
strikes US that the districts rs they nov
stand arranged in The Directory OF Corr
s1oss arc the proper constituencies TO be
represented In Chicago, aud for several
reasons. one Is that there has never
beer Congressional. District Convention
held for one OF the new districts. There
has been no intercourse, for instance, be-
tween the Democrats Of Cumberland and
those Of Highland. So in almost all the
new districts except TIE Ninth. the second,
and the Fifth, which have in them no new
counties, we believe. Caroline must as yet
feel lonely IN the First district. Gooch-
hand. New Kent, and King William are
strangers IN the Third district. Roanoke.
Montgomery, Charlotte, and Halifax are
all new 10 the Sixth district. So, also, the
counties I'm the Seventh district are newly
associated. Louisa, Stafford, and Prince
William are also in new company.
we prefer that there shall be six dele
astes ut large because we think that there
are at least six prominent Democratic
leaders In Virginia who deserve to be thus
honorcd. About one third OF the Demo
cratic voters in the State live west OF the
Blue Ridge. They would like nevcrthe-
less 10 send two delegates to Chicago, one
from Southwest Virginia and the other
from the region north Of James river. So
Piedmont Virginia has about one third oil
the Democratic voters On Virginia, and
would like 10 send two delegates to
Chicago. So as to Underwater. Why
notf Not that We would ourselves
cafe for sectional lines. On the con-
trary, we would as lief that all the
delegates at large should be selected from
one section OF the State as to have them
divided between toe three grand divisions.
But because there is almost always COM
plant made in one or another OF these di-
visions after every nominating convention
adiourus that it has been neglected, we
suggest that The delegates to Chicago be
appoYtioned amongst the several grand di-
visions Of the Commonwealth.
The State Executive Committee ought 20
settle this question. 1t is not so important
how 70 Is settled as that it shall be settled.
IL is not so important 10 settle IL Alright as
il is TO settle it 40 as that there shall be no
misunderstanding about the matter. The
Democrats OF every county thrown into
new associations would like TO know
whether they are 10 choose amongst the
Democrats with whom they have hereto
fore met in district conventions, or amongst
Democrats whose qualifications and merits
are not so well known 10 them.
Pennsylvania and New York have de-
eidcd TO send each SIX delegates at large to
Chicago.