The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-06

No one can deny that among the gentlemen
whose names have been prominently men.
toned a. candidates for the Legislative nomi
nations. there arc several who are well fitted
in the point of experience. talents. character
and general high standing in the community
to occupy the responsible positions to he
filed. 1t is n cause for regret that the list OF
acknowledged candidates is not larger than il
is. As il now stands il ia entirely too mar
row.
The latitude of choice should be extended
to q large body Of men who are distinguished
for tho qualities which are essential in the
representatives of a great city like this with
its complex and multitudinous interests.
There should be such a wide field for selec-
ton, indeed, that it will DO impossible for
those voters in tho primary who will be gov
erned exclusively by q desire to advance the
prosperity Of the community. to complain
that they were compelled to use such ma
terial as was offered them whether their
judgment consented to the choice OF not.
Who questions for q moment that if the
voters of Richmond wero 20 exercise Mt
the primary their undoubted right to
select the four men in the com
munity whom they looked upon as pos
sessing the very highest qualifications for
Legislators, they could present ticket for
the November election that could not he sur
passed in the great ability. the long exper-
fence and the exalted character which It
would represent. even il the field of selection
were to he made as wide as the state. What
is it that stands in tho way OF the voters Of
this city of choosing such ticket as this, It's
simply that in the instance OF q very large
proportion of our most capable men, either
private business or aversion 10 public life in
tervenes 10 induce them TO prohibit the use
of their names at the approaching primary.
We fully recognize that tho private affairs
of individuals may be so urgent and absorb
ing as TO override the claims of the public in
terests under ordinary circumstances but.
under circumstances as unusual as those
which now confront US. this plea Of the para
mount importance OF private business should
not carry the weight which it generally does.
No one who understands the exceptional char
acter of the business which is likely TO be
transacted by the next Legislature Will DO
disposed to question the necessity OF Rich
mond being represented in that body by the
very nblest delegation which it can muster.
Such being the case. it is the public duty ofthe
number Of capable men whom the voters of
this city would support at the primary. if
their names were brought forward authori-
tatively. to consent TO this being done.
Not only should the city be relieved of
the reproach of being represented by men
of mediocre talents and small influence, but
looking at the matter from a purely practical
point of view there should be q
delegation in the Legislature who will be
fully competent to cope with all the impor- |
tant questions. especially those of a local bear
ing, which are certain to be considered in the
course of the session. Private business is not
an adequate justification for the refusal Of the
use of their names under these circumstances
by men TO whom the sentiment of the com
munity has involuntarily turned. Rarely has
there been witnessed in the city of Richmond
a more unanimous popular feeling in favor of
nomination of the ablest men whom the
community affords. Shall this feeling be
baked by the disposition of men of this stamp
as a class to subordinate their duty as leading
and influential citizens TO the demands of
their private interests ?
There should be a more determined ex-
on the part of our citizens with re-
spect to this question than there has been,
and, if necessary, there should be some form
Of public and organized insistence that the
men whom all admit to be the proper candi-
lates to be brought before the people at the
shall allow their names to be used
whether they make any effort to secure the
or not. Morally speaking. the
voters of this city have the right to select any
men they prefer to constitute their dele
sation in the Legislature; and in such an i'm
.)ortant election as that which is TO come of
10 soon they can with perfect propriety de-
,ide that individual wishes shall be subordi-
lated to the public good and act upon the
'ecision irrespective of individual consent.