The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-19
THE sENArORIAL PRIMARY.
some Further Comments by the virginia
Newspapers.

THE SENITORIAL PHIhdhi'
| some Further Comments by tine 'Hg'hia
Newspapers.
The washington correspondent OF inc
| Alexandria Gazette says.
A newspaper correspondent VINO at
tended the Roanoke Convention and has
returned here. says the fact was de-
yeloped there that those who opposed the
election Of Senator Martin are stiu op-
posed to him, and that If General tltz
| Lee had come out sQu2rely In favor
| OF the Chicago platform when begged 10
do so last year, the resolution Tor eN-
| pressing preference for senatorial candl-
dates would have been adopted ana SEN
ator Martin been I'm danger, but be
thinks he IS safe now.
CONGRESSMAN Jones might have carried
| his senatorial primary plank in the Roa-
noke platform, If he had made II opera
tive I'm ~ instead of 80. 1t IS uniyer-
sally conceded that It was Senator Dan
iers personal popularity and influence
that caused its defeat by a narrow mar
gin, and this would have been nullihed
by the change in date; for, although he
had nothing TO fear. the Senator could
not have afforded TO make such open OPP
next time.-Bristol Courier.
The proposition to nominate senators
by a party primary was properly de-
feated at this time. IL was sprung upon
the convention without discussion az the
primary meetings and was too radical
change TO be adopted without mature
consideration OF the plan proposed. We
are heartily in favor Of electing the sena-
tors by popular vote, but TO nominate
by primary election without any sane
tons OF the law securing a fair election
and proper count and no means OF pre-
venting or Furnishing fraudulent voting,
Is another thing. Many people think that
the proposition was to elect the senators
by popular vote. under regular election
laws. But such was not the case.
We cannot help thinking that any Inn
mature method Of resorting to a general
primary election would have been very
unfair 10 the great white county De
mocracies. and would have resulted IN
much future dissatisfaction.
Mr.. Jones and the advocates Of his
scheme were generally located I'm the un-
fortunate "Black Belt"-Winchester
Times.
The Star does not know, and IL does
not care, whether the Hon. William a.
Jones is a candidate for the United
States Senate or not lie is big enough
10 fiji the place But this paper takes no
part In the making OF Democratic candi-
dates for anything It viii support them
after they are made candidates. II they
are fitting and proper men, and IL has adj
vised and viii continue 10 advise the
people 10 select for their representatives
strong, able and upright men. But IT has
favored a Senatorial primary as "a matter
OF principle, and not Gas enormously stat
ed by Senator Daniel at Roanoke be-
cause it wanted TO Gust Mr.. Martin. II
the people of Virginia want Mr.. Martin
for Senator, in Gods name let them have
him. but let us, in some fair and simple
way, first ascertain who the people want
Fredericksburg Star.
While assuming the right 10 dissent
from some Of the declarations of the
Chicago platform, we also assume the
right TO dissent from the action Of the
Roanoke convention in voting down the
proposition 10 select tho candidate for
United States Senator by q primary cleo
tion. This proposition, after being oppOs- |
ed by Senator Daniel I'm a speech OF some |
length, was beaten by more than POO ma
jorlty, but we are glad TO say this oppo- |
ton, as we understand they cast nearly |
solid vote Tor II. IL IS certain that a |
great many Democrats favor the chOOs- |
ing or United States Senators by a vote Of |
the people, but It is very evident that |
the members of the United States Senate |
are opposed TO this plan and will not |
vote 10 reter such an amendment 10 the |
States, and since this right IS denied !
them the people should be granted the |
sir Er.f.
preference for Senator through a pri- |
mary election.-Clarke Courier.
Ihat Senator Daniel. n Democrat among |
Democrats, should oppose measure |
which embodies in itself the true prin- |
ciples OF Democracy was a gerat surprise |
to many Of his friends, and that he was |
unable 10 present a single reason or line |
or argument IN defense OF the position |
Which ne assumed must now IN the calm |
reason OF SOBER afterthought be very hui |
nlhaunS 10 him as well as 20 those who |
IN an apparently semi-hypnotic state fol |
lowed his leadership in .oDpositon 10 such |
democratic measure The course Of |
congressman Jones in this matter was so |
ulHereht from that pursued by the dis |
thsulshed Senator, and so much more b.
accord with the real wishes OF the great |
majority OF the party. as TO suggest 20 |
the mlhd mat In the decline OF one OF |
Nrsihias sons another IS rising who is |
destined yet TO occupy a large place in |
'iie esteem and confidence Of the people. |
The question is up ana will not down |
Inc people have taken hold OF IL. and are |
pleased with the idea It presents and the
Suggestions which II involves. IL meets
long-telt want IN the matter Of select
ing united States Senators. In minimizing |
tho lower OF machine politics, and re-
moving 10 large extent the chances for
bribery and corruption. and. when It
again comes before a Democratic assem-
Diy, me protests OF a hundred Daniels |