Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-23
THE REDDY BILL.
VIEWS OF VIRGINIA CoxGREssMEN
WITH RESPECT TO 1T. =;
CRITICISM OF THE MEASURE,
Faults aud ExcciIcnces Pointed Out.
Principle Generally Commended
Other Washington Notes-succes-
sion TO Judge Dick.

which was recently introduced IN the
House OF Delegates az Richmond by the
gentleman whose name 1t bears. IL can
be stated, however. that though some OF
them are unacquaintcd with It's pro-
yisioas. the majority Of them favor inc
principle involved in the bill-that OF the
election Of United States senators oN
legalized primaries. 1t Is believed me
two senators from Virginia are opposed
10 this method OF choosing their success
sors. Senator Daniels position on the
subject was defined at Che Roanoke con-
vention. so that il was unnecessary 10
ask his opinion Of the measure before the
General Assembly Of Virginia.
Senator Martin, when asked for an eN-
preston of his views regarding the Reddy
bill, very CURLY replied: Il don't care
10 have anything to say about IL Al
another time the Senator said he had
not read il. and knew very little ABOUT
IL, and WAS. therefore, unprepared 10 say
what he thought OF II.
In response to my inquiry. Representa-
tive Jones, of the First District, said:
MIR. JONES'S VIEW.
IT have read with much interest ana
some care the bill OF which Mr.. Reduy Is
the patron, providing for and legaliziAs
senatorial primary elections. have long
been in favor of giving the people an
opportunity TO express directly their
choice for United States senators, and
Mr.. Reddy's bill is designed for that
purpose. The chief objections urged to
the resolution reported by the Commit |
tee on Resolutions of the Roanoke con- |
vention, and which sought TO commit the |
Democratic party of our State to the |
principle of senatorial primary elections, |
were that the question had not been
sufficiently discussed up 10 that time'
that the expense OF conducting such rri-
maries would be considerable, and that |
the Legislature had not lesalized them.
Air. Reddys bill may not be a perfect
measure. but it is not open TO any OF
these objections. The subject has been
fully discussed, and the people are rot
only familiar with il, but IL can no longer
be doubted by anybody that they favor
senatorial primaries.
"Mr. Reddy's bill practically eliminates
the question Of expense. Under his plan
the cost Of holding these primaries Will
be inconsiderable and it cannot be said
that the bill does not properly safeguard
hem.
GOOD FEATURES.
COilt VI lIt ltdAA VI tllN iNNAA9 h--A ]
appear TO me to be most excellent For
Instance. the voters themselves. acting
lpon their own motion. and without the
Of party machinery. can Sc
ure primary elections if they so desire.
his. l think, Will prove a most popular
eature. Again. the holding Of these cleo
ions on the day on which the general
lection is TO be held for members Of the
legislature. upon whom the duty will de- I
olive OF electing a United States Senator,
an excellent feature. This removes ef- {
actually the question of expense. and in {
Tres a full expression of party sentiment !
These are some changes which might (
e made 10 the Reddy BILL which. in my t
Dinion. would improve IL. and / have no 7
)ubt but that changes have already sug- h
,sted themselves to it's patron. At any I
tie, take for granted it will be care S
lily examined by the proper committee a
fore it is considered by the General [
ssembly, and that when it comes before :
at body ali objections TO mere form will
ave then been removed. +
Il repeat that am glad Mr. Reddy has ?
ldressed himself 10 this question, which 7
regard as q most important one, and l q
)pe that no merely captious objections p
ay be made 10 his bill. If il needs q
nendment, as ii doubtless does. it should g
amended. For the Legislature not TO
ss some measure legalizing senatorial | r
imary elections would. in my judgment, =
great mistake, and one that would -
owe injurious 10 the best interests OF "
e State. as well as of the Democratic :,
.rty." u
MR.. YOUNG. e
W. f. Young, Of the Sc u"
nd District, said that he had not seen O.,
le Reddy bill. and had not given the -
after of the election Of United States -
majors by legalized primaries any con- =
leration. He was not ready to express -
S view, but he would look into the ~
after. and would say something at a
ture time.
CAPTAIN LAMBS OPINION. p'
Lamb, Of the Third Dis o.
CT, was asked: a
Have you seen the Reddy bill, offered =
the Virginia Legislature, and how do ~
I stand on the question Of selecting
senators by primary plan?"
10 answers as follows: &C
read the bill hurriedly, and have not II
time TO examine it very carefully. OF
appears TO be framed with the view Of m
citing the objections TO the senatorial
mary plan. about which we have heard r
'ood deal since the Roanoke convention. d
The local option way Of determining eli
matter Of primary is liable 10 OBJ
ton. l am heartily in favor Of select be
senator's by the primary plan, and
'ect 10 see this question result in a Il
stitutional amendment, making sena- Fl
5 elective by popular vote" by
MR.. EPES. da
Sidney r. Epes, Of the ~ y.
irth District, said he had not read the ue
ASSURE introduced in the Legislature for ~ ",
election of United States senator's by s =,
rimary plan. but that ne was in favor - 30
some such plan which would not be in .
iict with the party interests. ~
MR.. SWANSON. IA
Swanson said: 81 have
avs voted in Congress for the election w
United States senators by the people. NJ
lrnestly favor it now. and IL is one of II
greatest reforms needed. / would NJ
or a primary plar- or nominating les
vention, II II were so arranged as not da
cost the State much money and not DO
80 expensive as to prohibit any one
m Offering in ii, except a rich man. ba
were held at such a time and under A.
n circumstances as would not disrupt lea
irJure the party. da
have not read the Reddy BILL knew by
hing OF its provisions. and hence am | TT
bile 10 say whether | would support II riN
not The Democratic party has pros w
ed in Virginia. is strong and vigorous. Sa
should not take action on any special F.
n without mature consideration, and
ara for party interest. A good plan
aid strengthen the party, a bad one
injure t." A
COLONEL OTEY.