The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-18

We sought Tuesday 10 show how impor-
tant it was that the nominations which are
soon to be made in this city for the House of
Delegates should be representative as far as
practicable Of the best talent. the best expe-
rience and the best character in our cOmmu-
nifty. There is plenty Of talent in Richmond,
plenty Of experience and plenty of character.
The only point is how to induce the men who
are distinguished for all three in an eminent
degree TO subordinate their own interests TO
the interests Of the people.
Among those gentlemen whose names have
been canvassed in connection with seats IN
the Legislature there are a number who
would undoubtedly fiji these positions
honorably and usefully. If the choice IS TO
be confined to those whose names have been
mentioned we trust however, that the lati-
tude Of choice is 70 bo enlarged thon the
question arises. by what method of selection
is it most likely that the most capable men
among the number will receive the nomina-
tions.
The TIwEs has always boon an earnest adj
vocate of the primary as the method which
combines the greatest number of the coudi-
tions which assure a free and unbiased choice
OF representatives, ON the part Of tho people
We strenuously favored the employment of
this method when the last congressional
nomination was made for this district We
favor il now whom nominations for tho LogIs-
laturo are to be made
The arguments that can be advanced in
support of the primary rs compared with
the ward meeting or the convention are
familiar 10 ALL IL is almost supeIorogatory
TO repeat them, but this may DO said First,
that the primary is an eminentiy democratic
method OF selection. In the truest sonso Of
the term it is republican because it is de
rect appeal 10 the people 70 make their own
selection ofinominees without the intervention
Of representative machinery OF the dictation
Of politicians II is. therefore tie popular
method, and beng the popular method, il is
under our system Of government tho best
method.
Secondly. being in its form a popular ap.
peal there is in consequence a far greater
probability that tho people viii interest them
selves in shaping the nominations instead Of
these nominations being left under the oper-
alton of convention and caucus meeting 90
be made 10y small lotteries of practical poll
ticians If the people shall DO allowed 10
make the nominations directly there is
much greater likelihood that these nomina-
tious will DO satisfactory than ii purely repre-
sentative agencies were relied upon
Thirdly. there is much less prospect under
the primary that the nominations VIII be-
vitiated by crooked devices and questionable
influences. A primary conducted in the
spirit which should govern il shuts ont all
chance Of serious frauds being committed.
No method OF getting at the real choice of the
people IN ordinary times is absolutely perfect
in its operation. but, taking everything into
critical consideration. the primary approx
mates nearer TO the perfect method than any
other, and for that reason it should be adopt-
ed in this city
Let the people at large make their own
nominations, and if they turn ont to be Of an
ordinary character. then the people have only
themselves TO find fault with. THE TniFs
will see TO 1t that they arc fully warned as 10
the urgent necessity of selecting only the
men who are most capable of promoting the
best interests Of the city and the State.