Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-13
THE GROWING FIGHT.
Senatorial Primary Proposition
Speech of Congressman Jones.

EAIBtSetu III AAAGltSA Sug kn1k las "
Cured in any Democratic convention in
Virginia in recent years. Hon William
\. Jones, tho distinguished member Of
Congress from the First District, led
the fight for the proposition with charac-
teristic ability, and Senator Daniel threw
his great influence and powers OF per-
suaslOn 10 the opposition. There were
brilliant lieutenants in goodly numbers
on both sides, and the discussion was
marked by great visor and earnestness.
No speeches made during tho convention
were so closely followed by the audience.
Ii was a noticeable fact that few people
left the hall while the debate was on.
Both sides realized that the vote might
be close and they approached it with
some degree of apprehension. The
friends of the movement felt that they
would have stood a better chance had
II been submitted to the convention be-
fore the delegates began 10 leave. Hon.
Howard Hathaway made an effort TO
limit the debate in order that the dele
gates might get away on tho night trains,
but Senator Flood retorted that the pro-
per decision Of this matter was Of more
Importance than the delegates leaving
early. and tho body agreed with him.
JONES OPENED.
Congressman Jones. who won the fight
IN the Resolutions Committee. opened the
discussion in a powerful argument OF
more than an hour In length. lie did not
indulge in flights of oratOry, but made a
great appeal for the change in favor OF
giving the people more direct voice in
the selection Of senators. This, he said.
was q pressing and important question,
one which people in other States had had
10 face and which Virginia might as well
face to-day as put it of for later date.
(Chcers) The proposition would be slO-
quently opposed, but lie desired 10 say
that IL was proposed 20 limit the election
10 the senator's which follow the senior
Senator from Virginia. He had already
been renominated by the people, as wit
messed by the plank adopted in the plat
form instructing the General Assembly
10 elect Daniel. mot satisfied with put
ting It in your platform" he said. you
have adopted a resolution instructing
your representatives 70 vote for his re-
election or be morally damned by the
Democracy. I for one endorse from the
bottom OF my heart your action. Uoud
cheers)
A STRONG POINT.
The speaker scored Il strong point I'm
calling attention TO the fact that the
committee and the convention had both
already adopted the primary principle.
al that remained was to put the matter
in shape for operation in future. What
was wanted was a declaration that the
Democratic party was in favor OF letting
the Individual voter have a voice in the
selection OF the United States senator's.
Mr. Jones said he and his friends were
not welded to this form, and were ready
to accept any reasonable amendment or
more perfect substitute. 1t was proposed
TO grant the people a privilege; not 10
take anything away from them.
why" he asked, ARE the people or
this State competent TO vote for their
Governor, for the President OF the
United States, for members OF the
Legislature and not for the Senator to
the United States by a direct voter
loud cheers) when you vote down
this proposition you say practically that
the voters who sent you here are not
competent TO vote for the man who
shall represent them in the Senate. The
only objections so Tar are those IN
reference 10 the plan. We are ready
to change tho plan. IL is said by the
opponents Of this resolution that the
senator's represent the sovereignty OF
the States, but would they represent
it less IL selected by the direct vote
Of the people?'
Mr.. Jones reviewed the action Of both
branches OF Congress on tho amendment
to elect senators by tho popular vote,
and called attention to the fact that
the only vote against it IN the Senate
committees was that Of William Il.
Chandler. Of New Hampshire. Chander's
reason was based on the assertion that
II it were adopted the Democrats Of the
South would cheat the Republican party
out of its representation In the Senate.
So extensively has this idea grown that
many States have instructed their sena-
tors TO vote for the election Of senators
by the people. This plan has already
been tried, and the people Of South
Carolina demanded that tho senator's 10
represent them should be elected by
popular vote. That plan has been In
operation for one year, and IL works
admirably, and to-day We sec the can
didates running who Will be voted Tor
on the 3ist day OF this month, and IL
Of votes. another election is 10 be held
ten days afterwards. L is easy to critl-
else. he said, easy 70 pun down; but NOT
so easy TO build up. IL you do not like
our plan suggest something better.
loud cheers.)
Mr.. Jones went on TO speak OF the
workings OF a similar plan in Georgia,
and paid a high compliment to the sena-
tors from that State. AT this point Sena-
tor Daniel remarked that he thought
Virginia senator's had as much title TO
respect as those OF Georgia. Mr.. Jones
answered: mot only as much, but Vir-
ginia has reason 10 be prouder, for she
has produced some Of the most illustrious
senators that have ever been in the halls
OF the Senate" (Cheers)
SHOULDN'T STAND STILL.
The Democratic party. no continued
does not want to stand stlll, while the
whole world is marching on. The Demo-
cratic party could not sit slpinely by
(Cheers) He spoke OF the probability Of
fights over the senatorshiD, and tho sub
sequent lack OF representation in the
Senate. He irstanced the States OF
Florida and Delaware, where the dead
locks had lasted the whole session OF
tha Legislature, and necessitated the
reconvening OF the body al an enormous
additional expense. The same had been
the case IN Washington and Wyoming
and oregon. Mr.. Jones next touched on
the objection OF the multiplicity Of elec-
tions, but the plan presented, he said,
provided for the holding OF the election
for senator at the same time as the
election OF members OF the General As
sembly. The expense OF primaries was
touched upon, aRd he made strong point
by saying the plan would give represen-
tation 70 the Democrats in the black dis
tr.ct. vote down this proposition" he
SAID, with emphasis. "and every Demo
crat at home will think yoa have in
suited him. The fight is on the issue
which has been made"
General Hundlsy asked whether he had
understood Mr.. Jones correctly. that
every Democrat would DO represented
whether the Democratic party was in
majority or not, IN any certain section.