Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-04

81 do. most emphatically," replied Mr.
| Barksdale. Trades and combinations can
| be effected in the Legislature which could
never be accomplished among the voters
| MIR. Barksdale went on further to in
weigh against the dangers Of dead-locks
| and of the election of senators by legis-
| latures.
Senator Jackson: What makes you
| think the people want this law?
Because 1 never saw a man in this
country who thought himself unfit to vote
for a candidate for any Office" replied
Senator Barksdale.
but that doesn't answer the question,
said Senator Flood.
"Well, / will answer It," said Senator
Barksdale "But for the personal infiu-
ence, the personal magnetism of Senator
Daniel, who threw himself into the scales
against the primary plan, II would have
been adopted. do not impugn the Sena-
tors motives, but it was his influence
which killed it,"
LET THE PEOPLE SAY.
Mr.. Reddy followed Mr.. Barksdale. He
said he was i'm favor of the choice OF
senators by the people, but he knew this
would not be possible, for long while.
at least, owing to the composition of that
body at present He argued that the
choice of senator's by the legislatures had
no connection with the question Of State
sovereignty. and said:
There is no sentence upon the lips or
those of us who hold Office so frequently
as that This is a government of the peo-
pie for the people, by the people, yet
the President of the United States is not
elected by the people; the judiciary,
which is reaching out its powerful arms
At a.
ty, is not chosen by the people; one or
the great legislative branches OF the gov
eminent is not chosen by the people Is
il fair to say this is a popular govern
ment?"
Regarding the argument that pri-
mary might choose the candidates, Mr..
Reddy said that this proposed no more
than the law allowed, since plurality
elected TO Office.
But a plurality never chooses a can
didate," said Mr.. Maynard.
There's just where you are mistaken
said Mr. Reddy. I'm contests for nominal
tions for the Legislature in Richpond,
where a primary is held, the candidates
chosen generally receive only pluralities."
Mr.. Reddy cited many instances in
which the legislatures of various states
had been deadlocked for months over the
election Of United States Senator, nearly
always with resulting scandal.
Mr. Reddy called attention to the fact
that every resolution in favor Of election
of senators by the people, which had ever
come ND in the United States Congress
had been voted for by every member or
the Virginia delegation. and he believed
they would vote for similar measure,
now pending.
Regarding the popular sentiment, Mr.
Reddy said he believed the people were
overwhelmingly for it. The Richmond
delegation at the Roanoke convention had
stood SO for to 20 against the primary
plan. He believed it would now vote for IT,
LETTER FROM SENATOR MLAURIN.
Mr.. Reddy read the following letter
from Senator McLaurin, of South Caro-
lima, relative to the workings Of primaries
in South Carolina:
United States Senate,
Washington. d. c., January %, 1893.
Hon. w. A. Jones, House Of Representa-
tives, WI shirgton, ID. c.:
Ny Dear Sir-Your letter inquiring
whether the primary system, so far as it
relates to senators, has operated with
set sfaction to the Democrats of South
Carolina, has been received.
1 answer in the affirmative. The pri-
mary in our state is the outgrowth OF
popular demand and for years was con-
tons. SO well were the people pleased
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. One OF the
most beneficial results of the primary
cx~c hoc IN wit in
the Democratic party nearly every white
man in South Carolina, and to utterly de-
stroy the Republican party and entirely
eliminate the negro as a political factor.
With us every man who has political as
pirations is forced to be n Democrat. lie
remains one because he has a fair chance
to present his claims and secure a popular
vote.
There is one experience we had which
may be worth mentioning-to wit: once
the question is agitated and the pubic
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.
AS APPLIED TO CONGRESSMEN.
In clecting members of Congress our
system has operated particularly well,
and has had long trial. We have only
recently tried il in the case OF senators, |
and the greatest objection which can be |
urged against IL is the great labor ana |
fatigue of canvassing the entire State by |
counties; but i believe, after having |
passed through a very trying campaign |
myself, that / would prefer this to deal |
ing with either a Legislature or conven- |
ton. The truth Of the matter IS, that |
in our State no other way Is possible.
AS to the expense of holding a primary |
election, 1t Is paid by the Democratic |
party, and is so slight as to form no ar
gument either for or against the system.
Candidates for Office are so plentiful
that small assessment on each candi-
date suffices 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
dcncy TO make campaign expenses TOO
heavy; hut 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 US
as TO exclude a man Of moderate means
from becoming a candidate for any office
In the State.
In conclusion, would say that should
not advise you to go so far as we have
In South Carolina. BE a little more mode
rate: and II you wish 10 absolutely de-
stroy the Republican party and unite the
white people of Virginia in the Demo
cratic party. inaugurate the primary sys-
lem and give every man n chance.
Yours very truly.
JOHN l.. MLAURIN.
Mr. Barksdale said to the committee
hat II there was any fear that the bill
would destroy the secrecy OF the ballot
provided for by the Constitution he would
tave N amended 80 as 10 avoid this OH