Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-03
.DECEMBER 8, 1s9'


The Clarke Courier agrees Win the
Dispatch that though there has been a
luIl in the discussion Of the question of
having a primary election for the nomi-
nation Of a United States Senator, the
subject has not lost any of its popular
interest. 1t quotes Congressman Jones
(who was the leader of the movement
IN the Roanoke conyention) as saying
that at Roanoke he announced that he
was quite willing the Legislature should
pass a primary election law, but was
unwilling that it should pass one putting
all the election machinery in motion. And
the Courier further says:
All Mr.. Jones thought the Legislature
ought to do was to pass a simple statute,
declaring that when the state Executive
Committee found two or more candidates
seeking that position. the said committee
should decide to settle the issue by a
primary election, formulating its own
plan and fixing the day therefor, and
when this was done the law should say
n those appointed TO conduct the same
should be amenable TO the same punish
ments imposed for violations of any cleo
ton laws.
Congressman Jones informs US that he
has Investigated the subject. since the
Roanoke convention adjourned, as 1t pre-
vailed in several other States, and he
found the statute for legalizing the selec-
ton couched in a few lines. The details
were left TO the State Committee, but
when there was a resort to settle the
issue by q primary election, the laws
relating to other elections were imposed
and were binding upon all who took any
part whatever therein.
W. shFulx Con UyauCnnan IOnnC fG right
as TO the character of the law necessary
for his object. The question of expense
touching such an election will have to be
considered. The candidates for United
States Senator should not be asked to
pay the same. because in that case only
the wealthy could afford to aspire TO the
Office. The counties and cities, as in other
elections. If asked TO a the costs, may
protest against the employment or such
a plan. unless it can be carried on with
an election for choosing a member of the
House Of Delegates, in which event a
separate ballot-box will nave TO be pro-
vided, and the judges must be given the
right TO find out whether the voter is a
Democrat.
Mr.. Jones, Of course, wished the Roa-
noke convention to authorize the State
Committee to arrange the details for
holding the primary. Now, If we are TO
hold a primary the State Committee must
call another State convention and the
convention must order 1t.
While it is very desirable that the
Legislature should pass a general pri-
mary election law and make the punish
ment for fraud If committed as great as
il committed at a regular election. we
-. .kf-I, ~ o,.It - x,.lr. ,.,rosoo
tions by primaries compulsory pom any
party. Let the party decide in what cases
1t wishes TO make nominations by means
OF primary elections, but let 1t be under
stood that when primaries are resorted
10 they shall be governed by a State law
fixing penalties for wrong doing.
The question OF providing for the ex-
penses of a senatorial primary is one of
great magnitude. 1t IS a stumbling
block with many who would otherwise be
heartily in favor OF the primary plan. but
the Dispatch is a firm believer In the old
adage that where there's a will there's
a way" We must try to make use of the
regular judges OF election. and to do this
we must have the primary upon the same
day hat a regular election is held. II
his can be done, the expense of the
primary will be Insignificant; II 1t cannot
be done, the money matter will become
a serious obstacle. We agree with the
Courier that 1t would never do to tax
the costs of the primary upon the sena-
torial candidates. for to do so would be
10 exclude from the contest men Of small
means.
Another important question would be.
Who shall be permitted TO vote at our
primaries? In Kentucky. the voter goes
TO the registrar and has himself regis
tered as a Democrat" or as a 'Republl-
can" or as a 'Popuiist." or as an "Inde-
pendent and for the next twelve months
this list furnishes the voting list for each
party's primaries. We shall have to
adopt some such expedient as that In or
der 20 prevent improper persons from
voting at our primaries. Exactly what
method would be the best for accom-
plishiug this purpose we cannot now un-
dertako 20 say, but our people have be-
fore them the experience OF many other
States that have general primary cleo
ton laws. and we may profit therefrom
II we Will.
The Dispatch refers 10 these matters
now because they are OF prime i'm
pos'ancs to the Democratic party Of yif-