The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-04

OND. VA. EKIDAf. FEbi
TEN and taking credit for their efforts In
the past to secure this precious privilege
to the dear people
As TO the expense OF holding n primary
election. Il is paid by the Democratic
party and is so slight ms 10 form no argu-
ment either for or against the system.
Candidates for Office are so plentiful
that a small assessment On each candi-
date sufiices TO pay the managers ana
other officers The expense OF canvassing
the State is OF course. considerable. One
OF the evils OF the future may be a ten
dency TO make campaign expenses too
heavy. but from what | hear, even these
are nothing like so burdensome as general
election expenses IN other states. They
have not. as yet been so heavy with rs
as to exclude man OF moderate means
fro mbecomlng a candidate for any oiice
in the State.
In conclusion. I would say that I should
not advise you to go so far as we have
I'm South Carloina. Be little more NODE
rae. and II you wish 10 absolutely de-
stroy the Republican party and unite the
white people OK NirFinih IN the Demo-
cratic party. iuaugurate the primary sys-
Yours very truly
JOHN l.. MLATTR1N.
WHERE THE PLAN is IN OPERATION
Mr. Rarksdale said that In addition 70
south Carolina. Florida. Arkansas, "and
Nebraska. the state Of the great tribune
~ the people. william jennings Bryan
have adopted primary plans. And L VIII
remind this committee continued MI
Barksdale. that Mr. Bryan Is an advo-
cate of the election Of senator's by the
people
The committee had n short executive
session. Messrs. Flood. Turnbull, Jack
son. MAYNARD and Parr voted against the
bin and Mr. Fairfax voted for u.
II is Senator Barksddle's purpose 70
press the feht on the ioor of the fcnate.
RICHMONDS PRIMARY BILL.
The bill which Mr. Wallace offered In
the House TO amend the Richmond pri-
mary election law. and which has passtd
both houses. has stirred UP some oppo-
sition. Mr.. y. A. Catlin. Colonel Jchn
Il. Purcell DR.. Jud B. Wood and Colonel
william VI. Coulllug were at the Capitol
Yesterday. looking into the provisions OF
the act The bill did not suit them, and
they called on the Governor and urged
him 70 veto Il. Governor Tyler frankly
told them that he could not do so. Inc
bill had received the support OF the entire
Richmond delegation. and he found no
fault with t. Under the law before. u
was amended. the primary elections had
70 be held not less than twenty nor more
than thirty days before Tho regular cleo
tion. The Wallace bill abolishes this limi-
tation as 10 the time. and provides that
teh party committee can order pri-
mary at any time The only require
meut Is that the committee shal
give five days notice Of the election
The gentleman referred TO as opposing
the bill think II is a very unwise meas
ure. They argue that the time for mold
ing the primary should be limited In some
manner. The provision Tor only nVe uaNs
notice IS also opposed. IL IS cCntended
that under this law n committee could
order a primary: have a notice OF IL
placed upon the courthouse door. this no.
tice could be torn down by some one
and It would be possible to keep the fact
that there was 20 he a primary from the
great mass OF voters.
An effort will be made 20 have a bill
passed amending the Wallace act.
ELECTRIC LINE CHARTERS.
The Senate Committee on Roads yes
tcrday afternoon decided 10 report favor
ably the bin to incorporate the Peninsula
Railway Company. There was no fight
made on II. This is one OF the companies
that proposes % bgld an electric line
from Newport News 10 Old Point There
f. at present a line I'm operation between
those places. a charter has already
been granted 20 a company In which Col
onel r. G. Marshall and others are inter-
ested. The existing company opposed this
charter and failing 10 defeat II decided
not 10 night any other bills There is an
other bill 20 be considered. II provides
a charter for the Newport News and Old
Point Railway and Electric Company.
Mr. NJ h. Ingalls, president OF the Ches-
apeake and Ohio Railway Company. and
Mr.. Butler. q director In the American
Tobacco Company. are two OF the cor
pOratOrs This proposed charter is going
TO be bitterly fought by Colonel Mar
shalrs company.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Mr Switzer's bill 10 abolish tolls on the
valley Turnpike will come up before the
House Committee on Counties. Cities and
Towns this morning. Captain B. @. Pat
terson. Of Harrisonburg, a former men,
Der OF the House and Captain r. ..
Parks. OF Page will fight the bill.
Look at little cupidw This remark
was made by Mr.. Pitcher In the early days
Of the session Senator Barksdale had
come over 10 the House to deliver mes
sage. He was standing in the aisle wait
ing Tor the sergeant-at-arms 10 announce
ms presence MT. BdThsudle VIII always
be known under the nickname Of
cupid" Everywhere he goes now some
one address him as Cupid" Mr. Pitcher
declares in very solemn terms that he be-
ieves the Halifax Senator is the original
OF the picture Of Cupid
Representative owen. OF Manchester
was I'm the Senate yesterday looking after
the interests OF the counties which were
excepted from the Saunders fence bill
and arranging 10 have the counties have
the full benefit OF its provisions.