The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-16
c,rvrrGIsLATIvE NOMINATIONS.

/ IL
Tho time for making legislative nomina-
,ions IN this city is drawing on 50 rapidly
| that the people of Richmond should begin to
o;vo these nominations serious and careful
consideration. At no period in our local his
| tory has the need Of soliciting the most eapa-
bic representatives been more urgent than
now The matters Of interest that Will come
before the next General Assembly VIII DC u
unusual Importance and there ar, subjects
for legislation. bearing directly upon our Local
interests which will require special attention.
Among the men who have in tho past occu-
pied seats in the Legislature as the Topreseh-
tatives OF this community, thore have been
many who in strength Of character. weight Oh
erperienoe and force OF talents have reflected
the highest credit upon the city and Wle'uou
in consequence often controlling influence
upon the course of legislation, Doth S'alo III"
local. OF oil the communities ID virginia
there is not one which should be represented
bv An ADLER or moro influential delegation than
the city Of Richmond It's interests are more
complex because il is the weaithiest and most
populous community in tho state. WIN a
wider field for selection. owing to the larger
number Of persons engaged in It's greato' va
riety OF pursuits there IA less excuse Tor ine
nomination Of an ordinary delegation
There il not A profession or trade IN tho
citc not aliue of general business. from whose
membership men could not be chosen VINO
would make useful and creditable representa-
tjves There is Just as much ability IN TINS
citv IA. dav AS there ovcT was. just as much as
when John A. Meredith and John Hampton
Cbs,nberlevpe. among those who have passed
away. and W. ". Crump, Joseph i. Ander-
son James H. Dooley, William Writ Henry
and A. 5. Buford. among ;he living were
representatives Of tho city in the Legislature
representatives, who had the confidence oil tAe
community on account Of their distinguish
talents extensive experience and high char
acter.
The argument that it IS difficult 70 secure
the services Of the most capable men ON ac-
count Of tho pressing nature Of their private
affairs is not one Of universal Application.
There is no reason - believe that all puohc
spirit is dead among the circle of citizens who
are admitted by all to be the foremost the
community. either in law OF IN medicine OF
manufactures IT trade or mechanics the c-ti-
zeus who take the lead and mould the pubic
sentiment Of the community. II this form OIL
public spirit appears 10 have declined, IT is
due 10 the Indifference which has prevailed
in this connection among the people OF TINS
city. There has been no urgent puonc
! demand for the election of the abiest delega-
| ton which tho city could furnish. On tho
! contrary. tho interest in tie city's represen-
/ tation III the State Legislature has been luke
/ warm for several years, aud there is ground
/ for thiukine that the welfare Of Richmond
has been seriously affected in consequence
There are indications that more lively in-
| terost is felt i'm the nominations $50 soon 10 be
made than has been observed for some time.
! That interest. however. viii accomplish
/ nothing Of value unless it shall be governed
| bv a very high standard in the selections to
be made. Let every man whose influence
will have an important bearing upon these Sc
lections remember that he las o. public duty
70 perform. In his preferences lie should be
controlled not only by Just conception OF
what the material interests of the city de-
mand. but also by the suggestions OF local
pride. The ablest mon, tho most competent
men. the most creditable men should be
chosen. Men who would be mere nominal
representatives are not wanted; only menwho
can defend the community if assailed and adj
vance and enlarge its interests. mon who Will
enjoy the fullest confidence andrespectot their
associates in the Legislature, and who viii
be regarded with the highest consideration
in the state at large as well as il tie commu-
nifty 10 which they belong