Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-08
DIG OR LITTLE CONVENTION.

Many OF our State exchanges are en-
gagged In discussing the question whe'her
our next State convention should De
large or a small one This is well 1t Is
better 10 have the subject considered III
advance OF the meeting of the state Ooin-
mittee. 80 that the committee may lie
guided by popular sentiment so lar as
practicable.
Against having a convention OF 10"
members instead OF one Of 500. 1t Is ar
eoled that the former cannot in any true
sense be called deliberative body. Fur
thor. il is contended that to order big
convention would narrow the committee
choice Of places of meeting Tor the con-
vention. since there are many cities that
could entertain a small convention that
could not entertain big one. Alto
gether, It IS believed by the advocates
of a small convention that the sessions OF
such a body would be much more salts
factory than those Of big convention
could possibly be-
on the Other hand, it is said that
convention Of 800 men would be no more
deliberative than one of 1000. In either
event the convention except in the mat
ter of voting for nominees wouid nave
TO depend very much upon its committees
Again. IL is urged that a big convention
affords Just twice the opportunity that
small one does to interest and reward
good party-workers
In every city and county there are num-
bers of men, old and young, who are
never candidates for office, and who ask
no favor from the party other than an
opportunfty TO serve in its State and dis
trict conventions. In all of the discus
sions that have taken place upon the
subject in the State Committee this ar
gument has proved most potential.
As an original proposition it may be
that our party would have better limited
its conventions TO 500 men. Then dozen
cities could have been competitors Tor
convention honors where the choice has
been limited TO few. But now the Gus
tom of having large conventions may be
considered as established, and we doubt
not that it will be difficult to make
change.
Virginia people are great sticklers for
precedent, and the fact that our big con-
ventions have pretty generally done ther
work well is an argument that VIII doupt-
less be employed with much force. But
lest we should be suspected by some OF
desire TO narrow the committees cholce
co that Richmond may have a better
bo convention
repeat what we have said more than
once. that in our belief Richmond VIII
heartily invite the committee to SEND the
convention here. but will bring no sort oil
nressure TO bear upon the committee to
influence its action.
After talking with many persons, we
take this to be the sentiment Of the
Democrats Of this city. So, really. 1t -
not a matter of consequence to us
whether "a big convention or small con-
vention be ordered.
The state Committee, we take 1t for
granted, would be very glad to have this
subject fully discussed in advance Of its
meeting. If it could ascertain the trend
Of party opinion, its path of duty would
be plain.
What all good Democrats desire Is that
our convention shall be well attended and
shall be thoroughly representative or our
party. If so, whether it be composed OF
800 or of 1000 members, we may rely
upon it that its work will give satisfac-
ton and will prepare the way for great
Democratic victory.