Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-13

we can hardly believe that Congressman
otev expects that the National Demo-
cratic Committee will seriously entertain
his suggestion as TO holding nauonai
Democratic convention this year inc
whole aim and object Of which shah DC
10 adopt a plan Of organization ana
marty policy. with view to Winning
FIRST the congressional battle in 1898 ahu'
.econd the presidential battle in 1900
Possibly the most that Mr.. Otey hopeS
10 accomplish is to impress upon the pup
lie mind the desirabiity of suensthenins
our party lines wherever THIS may NC
done. He has distinguished himself as an
organizer. and quite naturally relies upon
accumulation as one of the greatest posi-
HE resources of our party in securing its
return to power.
But we think IL would be un"lse loi
our party to do anything now that wouiu
cause us to be looked upon as dlsturpeis
of the political peace so to speak VIC
would better let the Republicans nave
"full swing for awhile and then take al
vantage of their inevitable errors.
A national Democratic convention meet
ing this year could not possibly anticipate
the results of the new tariff, nor OF those
measures that Mckinley may propose
with reference to currency and banking
The convention could only predict the
failure of the Republican policies, whereas
nv waiting longer we might have 1t in our
mower TO call the world to witness the
fact that all the Republicans promises to
afford the country relief had failed Oh
fulfilment.
And then. too, we shall be quite busy IN
Virginia with our own local politics TINS
wear. First, we shall have. in May, an
election for county officers. at which
tine we shall also vote upon the question
of calling a constitutional convention.
And then we shall soon thereafter enter
upon the gubernatorial and legislative
canvass
An injection OF national politics into
the county elections would not suit all
of our counties. The Democrats of many
counties would prefer to fight out their
own battles in their own way-which
might not be possible If we had the ques-
ton of n national convention up at the
same time. But so far as the consutu-
tionaI convention question is concerned
that is nowhere TO be made party ques-
tion by the Democrats.
Thousands of Democrats favor a re-
vision of the state Constitution, and but
for what has occurred i'm our party du"
ring the past year it is our belief con-
vention was destined TO be ordered this
wear. But the Republican party has de-
riared "out and out" against the calling
of a convention, while the Democratic
marty has left it's members free 10 vote
either for or against the proposition. In
other words, the Republicans will go into
he contest united. and we must 90 into
Il divided.
Under these circumstances can we hope
10 win? Scarcely. But If we do win, can
NE be sure that when we come TO elect
delegates we shall be able 70 choose a
convention that will be entirely satisfac-
sorv2 There is much doubt about II.
This is one Of the questions that must
occupy the attention Of Virginians this
spring 10 the exclusion of national politics.
we may put aside national politics for a
fine. but this question of calling con-
vention 10 revise and amend the State
Constitution we must pass upon in May.
We much regret 70 have TO say that the
times do not seem suspicious for having
uuch a convention. But II is the truth.
We have waited long time for an OPP
portunity 10 revise our Constitution. and
the people had hoped that the suspicious
moment was near AT hand, but now II
seems to the Dispatch that prudence re-
ouires US to curb our impotence awhile
longer.
TO order a convention and then fail to
carry Il would be a dreadful calamity.
An opposition convention could enact dn
cffect new election law and redistrict
the State for members OF the Legislature
and for Congress. and play high jinks'
generally here. as the \ Nv York Consti-
tutionaI Convention did there.
SO we think our friend otcy would bet
Ter effect his plans OF organization
through the existing national, State. and
local committees rather than risk the agi'
NATION that the holding OF new national