Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-13
state Issues.

The Norfolk Landmark and the DIS
patch are not likely TO agree as to wnat
the Roanoke convention ought 10 do
about platform dealing with national
questions. but surely We can come to-
gether on matters Of State concern
We suppose the Landmark will sup
port the nominees of the Roanoke con-
ventlon. whether 1t approves the entire
platform or not, and we think it would
like TO see that convention declare itself
I'm favor of all legislation and all con-
stitutional amendments that may De
needed to effect those economies in our
State and county governments That IL
has repeatedly spoken in favor or. III so,
the Landmark would do well 20 keep
before the public the Importance of the
conventions speaking decisively upon
that subject.
If the Roanoke convention pledges our
party to cut down expenses where posi-
bic and to propose such constitutional
amendments as the people demand
most of the regret that the Landmark
has at the defeat of the constitutional
convention question should be removed
The Dispatch thinks that II would be
RIGHT and proper for the Roanoke con-
vention TO endorse and reafiirm the
chicago platform. and we also favor
declaration upon the question OF re-
trenchment and constitutional amend
ments.
what are the views of the Landmark?
These we should like TO know.-Richmond
Dispatch.
we fear it is true that the Dispatch
and the Landmark ARE not likely 10
agree as TO what the Roanoke conVen-
ton ought to do about platform deal
ing with national questions; but we
shall try to answer our contemporary
direct query.
As we have often said before, we do
not regard "a declaration in favor OF
retrenchment" by party convention as
retrenchment If we had thought that
the proper changes in the present Con-
stitution could be made by the Legisla-
tire. we should not have advocated
constitutional convention. our opinion
is now lust what it has been all along.
We hope that we are wrong ana that
the LEGISLATURE will make the necessary
reforms. but We fear that we are right.
There are a great many Democrats
who are opposed to the chicago pat
form and who yet regard 1t as of the
greatest Importance that the govern
ment Of the State of Virginia should
he in good. Democratic hands. Inese
Democrats. while abating not jot or
title in their opposition TO the principles
enunciated at Chicago. have considered
no alternative other than the support OF
| the ticket nominated at Roanoke, proVld-
| ed that good men be named. The Land
mark has agreed with this view.
We think IL to be important that the
Virginia Democracy should remain har-
nonious. and for this reason. outside Of
our objection to its principles, we think
| that il will be a great mistake TO drag
| the Chicago platform into the State
campaign. When national questions are
| brought into purely State politics, the
result can only be harmful, and the Dis
match. we remember, once held the same
| opinion. But. while we protest against
the introduction Of these issues, we can
not ignore the fact that Virginia Is best
| off under Democratic control.
I'D to a month ago we had no doubt
! that the ticket nominated at Roanoke
| would be composed entirely of promi-
nent Democrats long identified with the
marty In this State; but We must say
| that the frequent and undenied reports
that fusion with the Populist organiza-
ton Is contemplated have disturbed us
no little A ticket composed entirely of
| well-known Democrats, even though they
| stand upon the Chicago platform, would
attract the support of many Democrats
not agreeing with that platform: but the
| support OF a fusion ticket. with all the
experience Of North Carolina before US.
would be decidedly another matter.-The
| Norfolk Landmark