Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-21

All sessions OF tho Gonerai Asseihoi, Va
virginia are important 10 US, but tnas
which viii begin in December OF TINS year
will be particularly 80.
There n vast deal of work to be done
by It. Among other things the State y 70
DO reapportioped. not only tor representa-
ton in Congress. but for representation
IN the two houses Of the General Assem-
bly,, and IL may be, also, that some action
will be proposed looking TO the enlargement
OF the corporate limits of this city.
These are few subjects out OF dozens
which could be named which should re-
mind us that in electing our delegates 1n,s
fall we ought 10 choose those mon VINO wiii
be best able to present our views with intel
lieence and acceptability. And this we
say without disparaging the worth Q,
those who have heretofore been elected
by US.
We should claim the right to command
the use OF the best material we nave tor
the purpose. There Is scarcely any one
here In whom a spark Of public spirit ex-
lists who would decline to serve IL his rel
low. citizens would take him up and put
the nomination upon him; but the num-
ber VINO are willing to submit themselves
TO the ordeal of personal canvass Is not
very large.
The ablest men do not necessarily make
the best legislators. Eloquence rareiy
avails nowadays unless 1t has been pre-
coded by systematic work, and personal ac-
ouaintanceship and popularity often WIN
where oratory and logic fail. =
In choosing delegation we should take
care as far rs practicable that all the eie-
ments in our party are represented ana
that those Democrats selected, in addition
to other qualifications, have capacity 10
make friends In the two houses. Many
years ago 1t was said, and to our great as
credit, that the Richmond legislators
rarely came in contact with the repre-
sentatiyes of other constituencies except
in the halls Of the houses or in the com
mittee-rooms. In recent years we are glad
to saw that we have done better, and coun-
try and city members have been drawn TO-
eether often in social gatherings, at church
meetings, at public entertainments, ana
above all. at the residences OF the kicn-
mond senators and delegates.
No one need imagine that we are
scheming to capture" the coming General
Assembly. 1t would beimpossible If we were
silly enough TO make such an attempt, but
surely it will not be deemed improper for
us to try to remove some of the tric-
ton usually the product Of misapprehen-
sion) generally existing between rural and
urban members. This sort of feeling is no
stronger in Virginia than in New YORK,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or Mary
land. and is far less strong In this State
now than it was prior to the war; and, we
may say, has further decreased within the
past ten years.
Observation and experience suggest that
we nominate and elect representative
men: men of character and capacity; men
who can act for us with wisdom, vigor,
and discretion, and who will attract rather
than repel others who come here to
make laws for this Commonwealth. We
have such men, and we should call them
out.
In due time the question will arise, How
shall nominations be made? The COM
mon voice would say by primary election
if the expenses of it could be borne by the
community rather than by the candidates,
and if q perfect understanding could be
arrived at by the latter that they
would not pay out one dime for cleo
pioneering purposes. This would be an
ideal primary. Maybe it Is imprscticable,
but we cannot see why 1t is.
When people are besought to gioe their
services to the public (the pay is hardly
worth mentioning, so small is it, it would
surely be some encouragement for them to
know that it would not cost them time
and money both.
These arc things worth thinking about.
In few months we will be face to face
with the questions suggested.
Why not begin to consider them now3