Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-26
THE SENATORSHIP.

The editorial article from the Hampton
Monitor which we reproduced yester-
day, is not clear TO us in one particular.
II seems TO us that the Monitor misun-
derstands the position of Mr.. J. c. Park
er as stated in his letter to the Dispatch
some weeks ago, else why does the Mont
tor say "as the Constitution provides
that such election shall be by the Legis-
lature, the question arises, can that duty
be devolved upon another body without
constitutional authority?
Mr. Parker never suggested that a
State constitutional convention should
elect a senator! Yet the remark Of the
Monitors leads US to infer that it may
have so read his letter
Mr.. Parkers view is that the State
Democratic Committee ought to call a
State Democratic Convention to nominate
our candidate for United States Senator.
He recalls the fact that a State conven-
ton nominated the Hon. John w. Daniel
when he was elected last. True, the
Democratic members Of the General As
sembly held a caucus and nominated
Major Daniel again, but he was our can
didate without any action of theirs.
So Mr.. Parker argues that one State
convention having nominated a senator
another State convention would have an
equal right to do so. And he thinks our
State Democratic Committee would be in
duty bound to call such a convention, if
that seemed to be the desire of the people.
We suppose few persons will seriously
question the right Of the State Commit
tee to call convention at any time; but
certainly no one would expect it to do so
fo- the purpose indicated, unless 1t were
strongly backed by the people; backed
by such a demand from county and city
Democratic organizations, and Democratic
voters generally, as would be Irresistible.
No such demand has been made. 1t is
uncertain whether any will be made.
That may depend, TO considerable ex-
tent, upon whether there is or is not heat
ed rivalry for the nomination.
The Roanoke convention pronounced
against the nomination of senator by
a State primary election; but we take it
that the right remains with each city and
county to instruct its representatives in
the manner that may seem best to each.
Here in Richmond it has been sug-
gested that when we have our primary
election for the nomination Of legislators
each voter of ours shall be privileged to
cast a ballot expressing his choice for
senator
Such ballots would be duly canvassed
by the judges of election and return
made of them. The man receiving the
greatest number of votes would be en-
titled 10 the votes of our Delegates.
Whether he would be entitled TO the
votes of our Senators, who were elected
last year, might be a question; we say
might be-" but If the voice Of the people
Of Richmond and Henrico were clearly cx-
pressed at a primary. we are certain tho
senators also would be prompt to obey it.
However. the public mind is not likely
to be made up as to these matters until
it is positively known how many men will
be In the senatorial race. We have
ground for believing that there will be
such a contest, but the formal announce
ments have not been made; nor will they
be expected for some months TO. come.
inasmuch as the election for members
OF the next General Assembly will not
take place until November, 1899.