Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-09
THE RICHMOND PRIMARY.

On the 10th instant the Democrats OF
this city will have primary election to
express their choice for legislative can
dldates. Richmond and Henrico are en-
titled TO two senators, while our city is
entitled to five members of the House OF
Delegates. The Democrats of Henrico
have already held their primary, and
have nominated for the House Addison
Maupin, Esq. At the same time they
polled their votes for senators. The Hen
rico votes and Richmond's votes combined
will determine who shall be our districts
senatorial nominees.
From this time onward we trust the
people Of Richmond will begin TO take n
lively interest in our primary. They GER
tainly ought to, for the next session OF
the Legislature will be of surprising i'm
portance. How to secure for the State
more revenue and how to reduce her ex-
penses will be the foremost question, and
involved in it will be the matter Of pro-
posing constitutional amendments. When
ever more revenue is needed by this State
q disposition is shown to increase the
rate of merchants licenses. a very err
roneous impression prevails in some quar-
tiers as to the capacity of business enter
prises TO bear taxation. Already the
towns and cities of Virginia contribute by
far the greater part Of the money that
teaches the State Treasury; but notwith-
standing this fact we cannot be sure that
we may not be taxed more than we are
now taxed. We ought ever TO be ready
to bear our full share of public burdens,
but No more should be expected Of us,
and the men we send to the Legislature
ought to be able to look out for our in
terests.
More than ever before In the past twen-
~ years Richmond needs TO elect active
able, and jealous legislators, and out OF
the list of candidates 1t is possible for
us to make up such a ticket True, most
of the aspirants are youngish men, but
this is the era of young men. and the
work to be done is such as calls for the
enthusiasm, energy, and strength OF
young men. And so we express our con-
yiction that from the roster of candidates
now before the people of Richmond we
may easily select a corps of representa-
tives that will measure up 10 the re-
quirements of our situation. and at the
same time be so thoroughly representa- |
tive of our population as 30 make the
white voters of this city almost unit in
support Of the ticket nominated.
1t is time for our businessmen and tax
payers and voters generally to be giving |
thought TO the selection of our candi- |
dates In the true spirit OF Democratic
fellowship let us make UP a thoroughly
representative ticket, and in doing SO we
shall be able. IL we will, TO secure suifi-
cient good material.
We repeat that, i'm our opinion, the
worst that can be said against those seek
ing these honors is that most Of them are
young men: but as an Offset to this we
must remember that most of them have
had experience in public affairs. Besides,
during all the past of our State and conn-
try, young men have furnished the most
valuable material that we have had In
our legislatures. The young men OF am
bition> seek to make names for them
selves in the State Senate and House.
while their elders aim TO get into Con-
gress or places upon the State ticket. So
let US not despise the young men OF our
day: besides. we have here candidates
who are not young. and by taking some
OF these and some CT the young We make
jrdicious blending. And SO we urge
that We may have good. representative
ticket II we will. We ask our taxpayers
70 give heed to this matter. Let them re-
member that the next Legislature VIII
seek to increase the States revenues,
with the probability that II VIII wish 10
put the increase upon the towns and
c'e'es rather than upon the State at