The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-29
Rss =. Delegates at Large.

Gzs - Delegates at Large.
As we have said heretofore, the editor OF
the Norfolk Virqiaidn is member OF Ine
present State Central Committee. Inc ioi-
lowing article from that paper presents IN
n new light the question as to whether the
delegates at large TO the Democratic Ma
tioual Convention shall be selected from
the old or from the new congressional dis
tricts. Let us preface the article by say
ing that this question is one TO be de-
eided solely upon its merits. There
is no question Of legality involved. The
State Convention may choose its own
method OF appointing the delegates TO the
Chicago Convention. 1t may elect all OF
them at large II II chooses so to do. IL may
divide the State into twenty-four as
tricts, and choose one from each districr
or eteach said district choose its own de'-
egate. The whole matter Is outside OF inc
law. The Pennsylvania Democrats elected
six delegates at large. General MALONE
Convention did the same thing. Nelther
the Republican National Convention ncr
the Democratic National Convention VIII
make point as TO how those Pennsylvania
Democratic delegates or those Virginia he-
publican delegates were chosen. There Is
absolutely nothing whatever involved ex'
cent this one question, Would II be better
for the Democratic party OF Virginia that
there should be six delegates at large or
only four delegates at large sent to the
Democratic National Conventiony Weare
surpriseda the singular notions that some
OF our contemporaries seem TO entertain on
this subject. One Of our exchanges seems TO
suppose that If the State Convention should
choose six delegates at large, the Tenth
district would be deprived OF one or both
of its delegates. This, Of course, would
not be the case. II six delegates at large
he chosen, each OF the nine congressional
districts as they now stand represented in
Congress and upon the State Central Com
mittee will send two delegates to the Ma
tional Convention. We now quote the
Virqinian'S article. After stating that it
has not claimed that there must be six dele
gates at large, but has simply suggested
that number under the present organiza-
ton OF the party, the Virginidn says:
awhile under the new reapportionment
there are ten congressional districts, yet
Virginia is at present represented by nine
congressmen from districts and one from
the State at large. Again, IN the present
organization of the Democratic party OF
Virginia there are only nine districts repre-
scented, and these nine districts cannot elect
delegates TO represent ten districts. The
State Executive Committee has no right to
change the present organization. This can
only be done by the representatives OF the
party i'm convention assembled. ms Is
sound Democratic doctrine, and the
Yirqinidn contends that to select del
egates from ten districts, the Conyen-
ton must authorize the delegates from the
counties composing the new districts TO as
semble and organize. When this Is done,
then there will be no obstacle in the way OF
electing delegates to the Chicago ConIen-
ton from the ten districts. Unless action
of this kind be taken it is hard to see how
the election OF six delegates at large is to
be obviated.
"If il Is the right thing TO elect four
delegates at large, let them be elected IN
the right way, and no objection cap be
raised"
Let it be noted that il the delegates are
to be chosen by the new districts, there
must he a new State Central Committee
appointed. AS the Virginidn says, nine
districts cannot elect delegates for ten dis
tricts. When the Convention authorizes
the delegates from the ten districts TO re-
tire and recommend each two delegates to
Chicago, that body must also authorize
each district to report member OF the
State Central Committee, member OF the
committee on resolutions, and men,
Der Of each committee the Convention may
authorize to be appointed by districts.
Perhaps it would be well TO give the party
in that way general shaking up" We
call attention TO what is involved in the
proposition to elect only four delegates at
large in order that the delegates to the
State Convention may come to Richmond
knowing what they have got TO do.
But all this reorganization might be
done and still six delegates at large be
elected. There is absolutely nothing to be
said against the proposition to elect six
delegates at large if it can be shown that il
would be best for the Democratic party OF
Virginia that this should be done. Let us
look into this question Of expediency.
Hardly one third of the Democrats OF
Virginia live west of the Blue Ridge-ir
Southwest Virginia and the upper and
lower Valley counties. Yet that section o.
the State will be sure to want to have two
OF the delegates at large. Piedmont ant
Tidewater will also each want to have two
delegates at large. Let six be appointed
and each OF the three grand divisions OF thu
Commonwealth will be satisfied. In an!
event, zee shall not complain. We throw
out these hints for the good OF the party
and for the consideration Of gentlemen whC
expect to have their names mentioned a
delegates at large. 1t is matter in which
we have no personal interest.