The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-15
SENATOR DANIEL,s MISTAKE.

The Baltimore American says: 'In the
Virginia Democratic Convention. held at
Roanoke. Senator john w. Darrell was
the master spirit He directed the pro-
oeedlngs, drew up the platform, and,
coming to the aid OF his colleague. Sena-
toe Martin, defeated a plan for the selec-
ton OF candidates for the United States
Semi e by the primary system.
We do not know what was Senator
Daniels reason for opposing the primary
plan, but Il is generally believed that the
fight which he made In the convention
against this particular measure was made
in behalf OF his colleague from Virginia
In the United States Senate.
II that be true, 1t is evident that Sem
ator Daniel IL afraid that II the question
be left 10 the people to decide. Mr.. Mar
tin will not be reelected Senator to Con-
eress from Virginia, and if that be Sem
ator Daniels reason. II is further evident
that he thinks Senator Martin Will stand
a better chance for election before the
Legislature of Virginia, than before the
people OF Virginia
II Is not cur purpose to make war on
Senator Martin. but We do mako war.
and we shall continue to make war upon
the method used in electlng him to the
position which he now occupies. 1t was
an election by corporations and not by
the people, and against such an election
The Times will forever protest.
We say moreover that II It be true That
Senator Daniels fight against the pri-
mary plan was made IN behalf of Senator
Martin, because he thinks that Senator
Martin stands better chance OF re-elec-
ton by the Legislature than by popular
vote, he has furnished the strongest ar
people have a right to say who shall be
Senator. and any system Of election which
defeats the popular win, is vicious and
to be discarded.
We are not afraid Of the people From
lack of correct information they some
times go wrong, but generally speaking
they are right, and It is q cardinal prin-
ciple Of Republican government that
every question OF public concern shall be
determined according TO the wishes Of the
people.
Our present method Of choosing Sena-
tors in Congress was adopted at time
when conditions were very different from
what they are now, and there may have
been good reason at that time for adopt
ing such a plan, but 1t was certainly
never intended by this to deprive the peo-
pie of their right Of selecting the man
who should represent them in Congress.
Senator Daniel said in his argument be-
fore the convention that he believed in
representative government and that the
model way of selecting candidates was by
convention composed OF mon delegated by
the people to act for them. That Is all
right. We have no objection, Of course
to that plan of selecting candidates, and
If our Senators In Congress were first
nominated by a representative conven-
ton and then elected by the Legislature.
against the present system. But the
primary plan is better one for in that
way the race is open to all, and the peo-
pie decide by their ballots as to which one
Is the man of their choice.
Senator Daniel has made O. great mis-
take in opposing the primary PLAN and
he will In time discover 1t. We believe.
and confidently believe that the great
mass of people in Virginia are heartily
In favor OF the primary system in choos-
ing their Senator'S In Congress, and they
will yet be heard from.
AS we said in yesterdays paper, the
fight is not yet lost. The people are SUI
preme and ell that they have TO do TO
secure a legalized primary is to elect
members TO the Legislature instructed to
carry such a measure into effect. If
the friends Of this movement will only
take the trouble to make a canvass be-
fore the people on that line we have no
sort Of doubt that a large majority OF
members in the forthcoming Legislature
will come to Richmond with instructions
to vote for the primary plan