The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-04
The Committee Decides Against lha Sen.
atOFial Primary Plan.
OBJECTION MAZE TO LOCAL MEASURE
The Aot Changing the Law as tn the Time
of Making Party Nominations ia Rith-
mond IL Opposed by the Good Gov
ernment League Leaders.

express their choice of candidates for
United States Senator with the recon-
mendation that It do not pass.
The committee met in the Office OF the
clerk of tho Senate with the following
members present: Messrs. Flood Chair
NAM, Ttrnbull. Jackson, Maynard, Fair
fax and Parr.
Mr.. Rarksdalo, who introduced the bill
IN the Senate, read the act and explained
its provisions. The Senator said the
measure was not aimed at any candidate
for senator nor was IL offered In the IN
tsrest OF any aspirant The people wero
demanding an opportunity TO express
their choice OF candidates and they should
have the right to do 50. Such law as
that proposed would obviate deadlocks
and prevent such disgraceful proceedings
as those recently witnessed in Ohio.
Mr. Maynard wanted TO know II the
people could not be bought as easily as
the Legislature.
Not by any means" was Mr.. Barks-
dale's reply. Not only is this true, but
trades and combinations are more easily
effected in a small body Of men than
among tho great mass OF voters
"Why do you think the people want
u
son.
Mr.. Barksdalo replied that he did not
remember having ever seen a man who
thought himself unit 20 vote for his
choice Of candidates.
The senator went on amid a number Of
interruptions to advocate a favorable re-
port on the bill
MIR. REDDY's VIEWS.
Mr. Rscdy who offered the measure In
the House, also spoke In favor Of the
bill. He was in favor Of the election Of
senators by the direct vote Of the people
but as tins change in the law could not
be had at present he would give his sup
port to the next best method OF allowing
the people to say whom they wanted "
represent them.
The speaker made some remark about
pluraliues elecung men 10 oiice, and the
statement was questioned.
Mr.. Reddy replied by referring the mem
bers Of the committee 20 the Richmond
primary election law. where pluralities
can nominate.
The great fight over the primary plan
at the Roanoke convention was referred
to- The action of the convention did not,
in Mr.. Reddy's opinion. correctly repre-
sent the sentiments Of the Democrats Of
Virginia. Richmond cast IS votes against
the plan and only 20 for A. Had all the
delegates been present the proportion
would have been the other way. Chair
man Smith, OF the delegation, voted the
proxies Of the absentees. Mr.. Smith was
not opposed to tho primary plan, but
thought the proposition mado at that
time vas q little premature.
Mr.. Reddy reminded the committee that
Senator Daniel. in his address before the
convention had no argument to make
in opposition to the plan. but opposed the
proposition on the ground that the sub
iect had not been discussed among the
people. ard they had not demanded such
"a plan Since the convention adjourned
the people had in many ways indicated
their approval OF the proposition 10 give
them an opportunity 20 express their
choice Of candidates. The press Of the
State was practically unanimous I'm sup
port OF the plan.
SECRECY OF THE BALLOT.
Mr.. Flood wanted to know II the effect
OF the law would not be TO destroy the
secrecy OF the ballot.
Mr.. Barksdale answered the question
by saying Il would not. IT il should. no
would not care very much. But the ad-
vocates Of the bill were willing 20 make
any amendment that could be suggested
Mr.. Reddy was asked what States had
q law similar 10 that proposed. He start
Ell out bv naming South Carolina, and
Mr.. Turnbul remarked that the South
Carolina plan had nearly cost the life OF
one Of her best citizens-SenatOr McLau-
rim
"slnce Senator McT.aurin's name has
been mentioned I viii read a letter from
him addressed 10 CONGRESSMAN w. A.
Jones. remarked Mr.. Reddy, and he read
the following:
LETTER FROM SENATOR MLAuRIN
United states senate,
Washington, d. c., Jan. =, lsyS.
Hon. w. A. Jones, House Of Representa-
tives, Washington ID. c.:
My Dear Sir,-Your letter inqulrlng
whether the primary system. so far as It
relates 10 Senators, has operated
with satisfaction to the Democrats OF
South Carolina. has been received.
| answer in the affirmative. The prim-
ary I'm our State is the outgrowth OF q
popular demand, and for years was con-
Quoted with nothing but party regula-
tions. So well were the people pieased
with the system that recently the Legis-
lature passed stringent regulations for the
conduct Of primary elections and pre-
scribed heavy penalties for the violation
thereof The primary plan may not suit
the politicians. but It suits a large ma
jority Of the people OF South Carolina.
and has become a fixture. We have car
ried the idea 10 the extreme limit and
some changes are needed. but as be-
tween the primary and convention sys-
tens. so far as we are concerned. there
can be no question as 10 which Is the
best. One OF the most beneficial results
of the primary system has been 10 unite
and hold within the Democratic party
nearly svery white man In South Caro-
lima and to utterly destroy the Republic
can party and entirely eliminate the ne
gro as a political factor. With us every
man who has political aspirations is
forced 10 be a Democrat. He remains one
because he has a fair chance 10 present
his claims and secure a popular vote.
There is one experience we had which
may be worth mentioning-to-wst: once
the question is agtated and the public
mind grasps the idea. there Is no retreat;
you may delay. but the longer the waters
are damned back the greater Will be the
food.
Tn electlng members OF Congress our
system has operated particularly well
and has had lorg trial We
have only recently tried IL in the case
OF Senator's and the greatest objection
which can be urged against II IA the great
labor and fatigue of canvass'ng the en-
tire state by counties; but believe. after
having passed through a very trying cam
palm myself that I would prefer this
10 dealing with either Legislature or
convention. The truth OF the matter Is
that i'm our State no other way Is possi-
4 hnI in he nri m ~