Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-02
SATURDAY. e. DECEMBER 2, 1893.

For Fair Elections and Nominations.
Tho recent discussion of the question
whether elections in Virginia are fair
or not. has been rolled as sweet NOR
sel under their tongues by the Repubi-
can papcrs of the northern States.
u ls assumed by the Republicans that
ci,atm. and fraud are the rule In Nir-
e.nia. aud fair elections the exception.
n is also assumed that the Virginia
papers. which discrcIu the truth Of the
charge. are either corrupt themselves or
else Wilfullv close their eyes TO facts
which would convince them OF the truth
Of the charge. If they would only take
fhe trouble to inform themselves IN the
premises.
These charges Of ccction-frauds in the
South have for years been a standing
accusation against the Democrats Of
South Carolina. Louisiana. Mississippi,
and perhaps offer States, but Virginia
has not until this year ben subjected TO
the charge under consideration from any,
oven ~ the Republican papers. except
those which are incapable Of doing Justice
a. The men OF that section OF the Union
which WAS lately In so-called rebellion"
not against the United States 50 much
rs against these maligners-th Is,
from the point Of view Of these disturb
crs Of The public peace and libellers Of
men the latchsts OF whose shoes they
are not worthy 10 uuloose.
We In Virginia may rest assured that
hereafter We shall always have to live
under the charge that our elections are
all fraudulent ones. The larger the ma
1ority We secure. the louder will be the
,lamor against the election methods
under which We shall henceforth be com
PEELED TO stand mp. Those who fiatter
themselves that any law could be framed
~ the Democrats which would stop this
clamor. deceive themselves. for the only
condition upon which our enemies will
consent to discredlt the charge Of fraud
IN elections. VIII be the return Of all the
Republican candidates as elected.
OF course. men who wrong. cheat. and
defraud their fellow-mcn on elcction-day
VIII wrong. icheat. and defraud them
on nomination-day II IS not Illogical to
conclude that n the Virginia election Off
GERS are chargcable with election frauds.
they would not object to taking a hand
IN nomination frauds, and so the out
Iagcous accusation is TO serve as an
entering wedge to the charge that our
nominating conventions and primary
elections are in need Of publication. The
Rockingham Register. published In Gov
.rnor OFerralrs county, sounds the
alarm. We knew that the Governor-e elect
had been charged with using Federal
patronage In order to secure the nom-
nation for Governor, but we did not
expect his neighbors to pay any atten-
ton 10 the charge. But we were mistaken.
The Register says:
ut is OF the first importance that
when the new congressman IS to be
named no suspicion OF packed primaries
or 'nxed' conventions shall be attached
10 his nomination. Those who are charged
with the responsibilities OF party leader
chip can render no more admirable SER
vice thaA 20 adopt plan Of selecting
delegates less objectionable than those
now IN vogue"
In this paragraph there is a call for
reform in nomination methods. Our Har-
Iisonburg contemporary gravely assumes
that there is better method of nomi-
mating candidates for Congress than the
method OF packed primaries" or fixed
conventions" These two methods are now
I'm vogue and the Register demands
"a method less Objectionable. Possibly
that paper would be willing 10 substi-
tute primary elections for conventions
But sad experience would soon teach
the eNperimenters that primary elections
Tor nominations for Congress and United
States senator's and legislators could be
made 20 work as dexterously and I'M
Iighteously as the convention methods
now 80 much derided by persons who
have not taken pains 10 inform them
selves In the premises.
Perhaps It may be possible to have a
satisfactory primary election for noml-
nee for Congress In the Seventh District
The present is good time to try the
experiment. there being but one nomina-
zion 20 be made in Virginia. The ma
,hinery Of a primary election works
we'll and fairly and smoothly over small
territorial areas. Such elections are we'll
nigh indispensable In the cities. But we
doubt the feasibility OF holding salts
factory primary elections over large
territorial areas. The door to fraud Will
be opened beyond question. We fear
when primary elections are held to nomi-
nate candidates for Governor. United
States senator's and congressman. We
apprehend that the expense would be
30 great that the resul, might be ex-
pressed In the words; mo money, no
nomination" This new method may be
paid for by disinterested patriots for
one OF two elections. but would event
uaily perish under the whitening hand OF
pecuniary aid extended TO the voters In
the matter OF providing for the expense
OF holding urinary aipctiopa