Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-02-15
ENDORSE The BILL
Prominent Democrats Favor
a LOCALIZED Primary.
APPLIES TO ANY PARTY.
Proposed Measure Makes 1t Law full for AL
Political Organizations to Select
Candidates According to
Its Provisions.

The bill introduced in the House of
Delegates last week by Hon. Thomas
Temple Powell to legalize primary cleo
tons and conventions In this city, has
met with the general approval of poll
iticians. and there is but little doubt
that the measure will be enacted If
the bill does become a law the first pri-
mary will be held under it this spring.
when the candidates for the municipal
offices Will be chosen.
Any political party may hold a legal
lied primary, for it does not apply to
the Democratic party alone. The OBJ
ject of having primaries legaiized is to
prevent the preparation of fraud. I'm
der the present system it matters not
how much ballot-box stuffing there may
be the perpetrators are guilty of no
'penal offense in the eyes of the law.
But under the new system it will be diff
ferent, for the law is explicit and bal
lot-'hox suffers may be punished as Sc
verely as if they had committed the
crime in a general election. Then there
must be a fair count and an honest re-
turn: in other words, the WIFI of the peo-
pie must be respected.
The bill was prepared by Common
wealth's Attorney ]. X. NJ. Newton, at
the instance of "a number of prominent
citizens. The most important features
are found in the following sections:
i. BE it enacted by the General AS
sembly of Virginia, that it shall be
lawful for any political party in the
city of Newport News, in this State,
previous to any general election held
for the purpose of electing any State,
municipal TO federal officer, should they
desire so to do, to hold primary cleo
ton or convention for the nomination
of candidates for the offices to be voted
for at the said ensuing general election,
upon such rules and regulations as may
be prescribed by the local executive
ca m 7 of
however, that such primary election
or convention be not held more than
thirty days nor less than twenty days
previous to such general election; and,
provided further. that the expense of
ANY primary election or convention be
borne by the party conducting or hold
ing the same.
.. The local executive committee of
the said party shall determine the rules
and regulations upon which such pri-
ma ry election rzc1onyentsoa4 saha Il he
held, which said rules and regulations
shall be published in some convenient
newspaper and posted at the front door
of the court house of said city at least
five days previous to the holding of
such primary election or convention:
and a printed copy of such rules and
regulations shall be served upon such
candidates to be voted for at such pri-
mary election or convention, and each
judge. and clerk who shall conduct the
same, and shall also be posted at each
voting place for the holding of such
primary election or meeting place. for
the selection of delegates to such con-
vention.
80 The local executive committee of
said party shall appoint SO many judges
and clerks for the conduct of said pri-
mary election or convention, and pay
them such compensation for their ser
vices as they may deem proper.
- h.an sat
primary elections shall be held, how the
returns shall be made, and fixes the
punishment OF persons convicted of
fraud. The punishment is the same as
that melted out under similar circum-
stances in 4 general election.
The bill is personal measure. and
therefore Will not meet with any oppo-
sition in the General Assembly.