Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-20
IEFFERsoNIAN DEMOCRAT.
Norro,k city Politics.
Franklin, Va, Aug. II, 1899.
Editors Nirginlan-Pilot.
Norfolk, Va:


Norfolk, Va:
Gentlemen,-Permit me to congratu-
| late you upon your timely editorial in
to-day's Nirginian-Pilot, criticlsing the
action of the Executive Committee OF
Norfolk city in refusing TO call a pri-
mary for the nomination of candidates
for the House of Delegates, and calling
upon that committee to reconsider its
action and call such primary.
Everybody in the Second Congression-
al District who believes in fair play
ana In an expression of the wishes or
the people, Will join you IN this request
TO the committee of Norfolk city.
l believe that it has been the inva-
riable custom in Norfolk city to NOM
nate Democratic candidates for the
Legislature by primary, ever since the
revolt of few years ago. when all the
opposing elements in the city combined
to overthrow the methods then pre-
vailnS in political circles. Why then
Is THIS rule TO be changed at this time?
IL there ever was campaign when the
freest expression Of the wishes, of the
people ought to be permitted, it is now.
Nobody who has looked carefully upon
the events of the past few months in
this state can believe Tor n moment
anything except that the action of the
committee in ordering ward meetings
| was taken for the distinct purpose of
| tiic cNCCSStS VI Il
candidate for the II. S. Senate. This ia
all wrong. and Il continuation of such
methods VIII lead to Il rupture in the
party. If a majority OF the Democratic
voters of Norfolk city desire the cleo
ton of any particular man for u. S.
Senator, then their wishes ought to be
respected by the men whom they send
to represent them in the Legislature,
and there is no possible way by which
those men can ascertain what the ma
Joriiy wish except through the medium
OF primary election.
do not wish 10 be considered as
abusing or condemning party organi-
cation. |, myself, have been part of
the Democratic organization for years,
but defy any man TO point out any
act on my part, as Al part of the Dem
ocratic organization. that was done by
me 10 promote my own personal ends or
TO advance the peculiar interest OF any
friend of mine.
The Democratic orga niZatIon is the
creature OF. the Democratic party, and
Is not the party Itself Its object is to
protect the interest OF the party and to
ala the party in opposing its foes. When
thus used 1t is an instrument for great
good, but when this organization ceases
TO be used solely for opposing it's en-
envy, and is used to promote the pecu-
liar interest OF any man, or any set OF
Hic"' N!tnln the party, II becomes a
powerful instrument for evil.
We are often told in answer to this
argument that all politicians will take
advantage of any power they may pos
sess from being Il part of the party or
SaniZatlOn, and use that power to ad-
vance their own interest or the interest
of their personal friends. This may be
true OF many politicians who are a part
OF the organization. but it is not true
OF all OF them. And 1t is the putting
into operation Of such principles ms
those that create dissa tisfaction in tho
ranks of the party. and Will ultimately
end in open rupture. y man who is n
part of the Democratic organization
ought to have only the interest OF the
party Itself at heart. and in deciding
any question, he ought To decide with
respect 10 the welfare OF the party. and
the question Of benefits to be derived
by himself or his personal friends
ought never to enter into his consider
alton when deciding Z question Of par
~ policy or action. This Is said by
many 10 be too high a standard of un-
sel1shness for politicians To follow. but
wherever that standard is not followed
trouble more or less ensues. and rup-
ture III the Party is almost sure.to fol-
low.
Everybody In the Second Congress
meetings called To he held in Norfolk
city on the 9TH of August will not give
n fair expression OF the wishes OF the
voters OF Norfolk city.
The buildings in which the meetings
are 70 be held would not contain one
third Of the voters Of the city if they
applied for admission. ON the night
thai these meetings are to be held those
buildings VIII be early flied by The
professionals who are determined TO
carry their points nj all hazards. and
the result Will be that the business men
ana those citizens who have no per-
sonal interest in politics. hut who de-
sire to see the best men elected to Of
fee and who are Democrats and there
fore entitled 10 have their wishes res
rected. VIII refuse 10 40 to any such
meeting rs VIII be held.
y primary is fair expression of the
wishes Of the majority. and the minor
ity that Is defeated viii yield grace
fully To the wishes of the majority.
But maior!i!es always object to being