Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-12
TUESDAY. OCTOBER u, 1897
THE sENATORsHIP.

The Clarke Courier continues TO discuss
the action of the Roanoke convention in
nominating Senator Daniel for re-elec-
ton We do not understand that it has
even the slightest objection to the re-
election of the Senator, but it doubts il
the convention had the right to do what
1t did do. But admitting that the
convention acted within the scope OF
its authority. the Courier maintains that
II set a bad precedent. We make the
following extract from the COurier's arti-
Gle:
The resolution, to put it mildly, is too
sweeping: IL assumes TO lay down a rule
OF action for conventions that are "a
law unto themselves" and are sovereign
I'm their choice of candidates. Ii was
proper for the Roanoke convention ID
commend a senator's public course, and
10 recommend his reelection, but when
IL undertakes TO make ii obligatory upon
Democrats ito oppose" the claims an
other may set up in his own behalf, II
ventures upon dangerous ground.
The Dispatch seems to think a conven-
lion is clothed with plenary powers.
Well. If ii is, since there will not be an
other State convention before the Legis-
ldllst NlttllOH III 4oJ't tht ANoHiiNAAN 80
yention should have settled the sena-
toriaI succession TO be made two years
hence And yet we have II announced
in advance by senator TO be chosen
this fall that he has determined 10 vote
for Congressman Jones. The right as
sumed by that State Senator, If endorsed
by his constituents, is right inherent
in any legislative candidate, in our judg-
ment.
Az TO the conventions adopting reso-
Iption I'm favor of selecting senatorial
candidates by primary elections, ii was
SO closely allied to the proposition 10
elect them directly by the people that IT
cannot be called a new one, since the
House of Representatives. in response 10
a full discussion of it by the press, voted
I'm favor of IL.
We do not know the State senator to
whom the Courier refers, but. as we I'M
derstand the case, If he runs as our party
nominee. he will be bound to vote for the
reelection of Major Daniel. A legisla-
tive caucus will. doubtless. be held, but
Ct will be mere formality. All of its
members. elected upon the Roanoke plat
form, will go there committed to Major
Daniel. by the action OF the Roanoke
convention.
We can only repeat that in the judg-
ment of the Dispatch the Roanoke con-
vention was the sovereign body of our
party and had plenary power. Moreover.
we say il was the wish and expectation
OF the people OF Virginia that the con-
vention should voice their appreciation
OF the course Of Major Daniel, and make
It clear that he is their choice-praciieally
their unanimous choice-for reelection
We think a resolution worded differently
from that adopted by the Roanoke con-
vention would have better effected the
end in view; but we have heard no word
OF complaint, except from our friend. the
Courier
The convention saw its way clear to
dispose OF the senatorship now in
question but it was not in position 10
make any further step.
For our part, We heartily wish the con-
vention had adopted the primary ELECTION |
plan for nominating senators. whore there !
are more than one candidate. We think
IL would have saved the party time |
and trouble had 1t done so. Yet. !
we had TO acknowledge the. rea-
sonablepess Of the argument made |
by Senator Daniel that the question had /
not been long or fully discussed before 1
the people. in our judgment. our voters |
were well enough informed upon the
question. ana wished the primary-election
plan adopted: but Senator Daniel and
Others were Of different opinion. and
,tsir Views prevailed with the conven-
tios.
We credit the gentlemen on the other
side Of ths proposition with having the
best interests Of the party az heart. and
We were neither angerea nor dsmay@G
~ defect But we do not consider the