The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-15
rha nelecates 70 Chicago.

A gentleman who ought to know better
writes us shat he is surprised that any
oucstion should be raised as to whether
the Virginia delegates to the Democratic
National Convention shall be selected by
the old or by the new congressional dis
triets. or as TO whether there shall be six
or only four delegates at large chosen by
the State Convention Itself. That our cor
respondent had no occasion for surprise is
evidenced BY the fact that even after reading
what VIC have stated above, nobody will be
able TO decide whether our correspondent
thinks there ought TO be six delegates at
large elected or not. Most readers will be
just as likely TO conclude that he Is in favor
OF the one number as the other. We VIII
now say, however, that our correspondents
very decided opinion is that the old con-
gross;onal districts ought not to select the
cougrcssional-dIsirict delegates, hut that
these ought 10 be chosen by the new con-
grssaonal districts. 03 course. in case this
suggestion be carried out, only four dele
yates at large can be chosen by the State
Convention.
Against the dctum OF our correspond
ent, who rs not member Of tic Democratic
state Central Committee. we cite the au-
thority OF Mr.. GLESNAN, OF Norfolk, who
is a member of that committee. We have
already given what he has TO say; yet 1t
can do no harm TO LET him speak again in
his own words. lie says;
at was presumed that the matter would
be settled In the call OF Chairman Barbour.
IL appears TO have been overlooked. since
the action, however, OF the Pennsylvania
Democratic Convention selecting six dele
gates at large TO Chicago, 1t is more than
probable that the state Democratic Conven-
ton of Virginia will act likewise. 1t IS
difficult 10 see how any other course can
be taken. The Democrats OF the old con-
gressional districts will in all probability
meet again to select the delegates to repre-
sent them at Chicago, and after the dis.
charge OF this duty the new congressional
districts will organize by the election OF
their respective district executive commit
tees.o
Thus IL appears from the testimony OF
member OF the committee that lit was pre-
sumed" (by the members OF the commit
tee, we take it for granted.) that 1.-THE mat
ter would be settled In the call OF Chair
man BARBOUR" This declaration implies
two things clearly-the first, that the mat
ter was considered unsettled, aud the sec
ond, that ii was Of sufficient Importance to
require settlement.
And what is the objection to the seee-
ton Of the delegates by the old congress
sional districts? We have heard of no OBJ
lection at all that is worth considering.
We 90 not say that there may not be better
objections raised than any we have heard
suggested; but merely that such objections
rs have come under our notice are OF the
character stated. Will it be said that the
State has been by law redistricted? What
has that to do with the question? No
thing In the world. The State Con-
yention could, II it chose to do so, adopt
an entirely new method of selecting the
delegates to the National Convention. 1t
might make all the delegates delegates at
large, or 1t might require the State to be
divided into twenty-iour districts, and q
delegate to be elected from each such
district. The State Convention is as
nearly omnipotent in its sphere as the
British Parliament in its sphere. The
Legislature passes no laws intended
for the government OF political par
ties as parties. The State Convention
can, il II deem it wise and proper so to do.
totally ignore the old as well as the new
congressional districts.
Therefore, the State Executive Commit
tee ought to settle the matter. 1t will be
inexcusable in that committee to leave the
matter as it is, since it is probable that one
hall Of the delegates to the State Convention
would come to Richmond in favor OF the
one plan OF electlng the delegates to Chicago,
and the other half in favor Of the other
plan.