The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-31
PRIMARIES OR WARD MEETINGS.
\ Compromise suggested in the Interest
eft Harmony.
Edtorof the Times

tOmpfunii-t ~uEEf~ith ~ AH' iHl'i'@
of Harmony.
EdHoro Of the Times:
1t would appear from a report made
by Mr.. Bloomberg at the last meeting Of
the C.. C.. c. that this body has in con
temptation a scheme that. If adopted
will end the primary. The most Oblec
/ tionable feature of this scheme is thai
which requires all Offering as delegate
to pay fifty cents respectively for the
honor of voting in a convention. An
+ honor should neither be bought or sold
7 II you may charge fifty cents, why msy
YOU not charge fifty dollars, and thu,
throw elections into the hands of the
plutOcracy.
Mr.. BlOOmberg assumes too much
when he says that " the primary plan
has caused much dissatisfaction TO the
great majority Of Democratic voters.
He gives no proof for this broad as
sertion. nor can he give any. unless he
shall ascertain that dissal sfactiOn by a
careful and authentic canvass of the
city Democracy. That the primary
plan has been greatly abused and su b.
sidized for personal benefits and preiu-
dices to the great detriment Of the
party, goes without saying. But this
objection may also be urged with ten
fold force against the ward meetings
and plan proposed by Mr.. BlOOmberg.
Not only personal benefits and preju-
dices come into play at ward meetings.
but likewise parliamentary ledger
demain, and club or clique manipula-
ton. which. as we all must
be aware. have too frequently and
shamefully defeated the popular
will Asa rule. a disciplined body
will be able TO overthrow in a ward
meeting twice or thrice the number
opposed to it, The right Of the people
to have their votes freely accepted and
fairly counted must be recognized, on
there will be trouble i'm ths Democratic
ranks. This should be the first con-
sideratiOn of our party managers. and
| trust they will be- large-mnded
enough to provide a plan that will
satisfy the public conscience. But sup
posing a free ballot and a fair count
were probable under the ward meet
ings scheme proposed. 10 would yet be
apparent that it Is not 30 productive Of
popular representation as the primary
The last primary Of Richmond gave
60 per cent. of the registered Demo
cratic vote. as against % per cent. for
the ward meetings recently held IN
other words 800. more or less. quail
fled voters Of the city Democracy cast
their ballots at the last primary: where
hnDwn 60 ~ puaiincu.I eo7e tnou oai- /
lots in the wards. Those recent ward /
meetings. be it said We're as largely at /
tended ns others that have formerly /
preceded them. Now. there can be no /
doubt that primary fairly conducted. |
is the surer test of the popularity of q /
candidate. 10 is mandatory, however, /
and not so persuasive or selec'iye as a /
L. breeds race jealousy |
and exhau5ts the yigor of the COM
batants before the real battle begins.
/ trust that the G.. G.. G.. will carefully |
consider the merits Of either fhe assem-
big or primary and satisfy all parties
by Incorporating the best features OF
both in one general plan.
With this view / submit % them q
plan and rules. which / am inclined 20
think will meet with general favor aud
be promotise of that harmony which Is
go essential TO the success Of party.
]. The city Democracy 20 assemble IN
the wards at p. NJ. and proceed 10
by electing chairman and
Two secretaries. respectively.
>. The meetings to be kept open until
II NJ. in order 10 give every
qualified voter an opportunity 20 cast
ballot if he will.
3. Every ballot cast 20 be endorsed
By the voter. aud to be strung i'm open
Meeting upon a wire.
4. One secretary 10 write down the
name and address of each voter, whilst
he other takes charge of it.
3. Let the Chair appoint two or more
ellcrs 10 inspect, compare, and count
he tally. and report to the chairman.
q Let the Chair announce the result
ludioly. and declare who has received
plurality or majority, as the case may
)e.
have seen this plan tried IN one Of
he most turbulent wards Of Manches-
Ter with inyariable success. Let il be
ldoPted IN Richmond, and harmony
will encourage success to wait upon
,ur banners. CHAs. NJ. WALLACE.
Richmond, July Both, 1889.