Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-03
TOO MANY ELECTIONS.

A number of our State exchanges are
doing the public great service by calling
attention to the unnecessary frequency OF
elections in Virginia.
Though we have rarely heard the pres
sent system defended, and though the
question is brought up at every session
OF the Legislature, no progress Is mace.
An the direction of reform. There
seems 60 be a want of earnestness
on the part Of those who advocate the
change. Neither the people nor the
Legislature appear to be deeply inte-
rested.
I'm our Judgment Virginia could do we'll
with fewer elections. And the saving
would be not only in the cost of printing
tickets. and paying for the services OF
Judges. etc Oh. no; a far greater economy
would be in valuable time spent by cid-
gems i'm taking part in political campaigns.
Yet further II we had fewer elections
the remaining ones would awaken deep
er,interest.
Upon that one ground the plea for
fewer elections may be successfully main
tanned. When we take into consideration
the numerous elections that are held in
this State. and the further fact that
MANY of them are but duplicates Of pri-
mary elections. we see why 1t is our
people refuse TO take as great interest In
politics as they ought.
We verify believe if our elections We're
reduced In number by one half or one
third there would be a wonderful awaken
ing of interest in political affairs. OF
course there are some difficulties in the
way OF a reduction, but, we believe none
that cannot be removed IL the people
heartily demand a change. The trouble
has been that the masses have shown too
little interest in the question.
II they would speak out their wishes.
the Legislature would be quick TO re-
spond. The movement to be successfully
snaugurated must be backed by county
meetings.
ON several occasions, when the question
orfreducing the number OF elections was
I'd IN one house or another of the Legis-
ature the question has been asked, is
there a popular demand for this change?
If so. where does It come from? No sat
tstactory answer could be given and the
result was that nearly every member
felt free TO vote TO dismiss the pending
bill How different would have been the
result if Il could have been shown that
many counties and cities were upon re-
cord as favoring the changed
we are 70 have a legislative election
next year, and It is not too soon now
for the people IN their primary meetings
60 begin expressing themselves upon this
question. The Democratic party is IN
control IN this State, and 1t Is right that
a. should be. and we would not have
anything done that would be injurious &c
its interests. But we do noc believe this
change would hurt IL in the slightest
degree. So far from II. we think II woulo
have an exlhlarating and Strengthening
effect upon tho party. What with pri'
mary elections. and general elections, and
special elections, our voters are over
worked. The effect is TO dull the voters
appetite. as # were, and make many
good men indifferent 10 political cam
paigns and elections.
But we cannot hope for better things -
long as the public appears Indifferent
The Legislature Will respect the wishes
OF the people. but first they must be in
formed what those wishes are, and, more
over, they must be convinced that there
is deep-seated popular feeling on the
subject.