Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-07

of any kind received advice that made
them strong, useful women again.
-------------..---.------
trusted with the custody OF their own
rights and liberties, is already written.
The question of the hour is, Shall the
Democrats Of Virginia refuse TO partlci-
nate I'm a great movement destined 70 re-
store to the people, where il rightly be-
longs the right TO elect their senators as
they now do their Representatives ana
their Governors?
In South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois,
and other States, the people. daspairing
of any action by the Senate ITSELF nave
discovered 4 remedy for the evil, and
have not hesitated 10 apply 1t. They
have adopted senatorial primary systems,
by means of which they virtually eject
their senators. In no single instance
where such primaries have been resorted
to has the result been Disappointing 10
them OF course. the trusts. the rings.
and the political bosses have opposed
but whenever and wherever the people
have once taken this power into their
own hands, they never have been known
TO relinquish IL.
1t is vain and misleading to say that
this question has been decided by the
party organized in Virginia. Nothing
is ever decided which Is not decided right,
or which is decided against the irresist-
ible course Of events. 1t is true that
resolution providing for senatorial pri-
maries failed OF passage at the Roanoke
Convention Of 1857. but IL Is also true
that 1t was not considered until late
hour in the deliberations Of that body,
and until many of its members had de-
parted for their homes. The principal
argument urged against its passage was
lint
was based upon the contention that the
convention-not having been called for
that, but on the contrary, for an entirely
different purpose-namely the nomination
Of State ticket-ought not hastily and
inconsiderately 10 take action so i'm
portant. AS it was, and In spite Of the
fact that many Of the votes against the
proposition were cast by proxies, unin-
structed upon that subject, it received
go votes.
INFLUENCE OF CORPORATIONS.
The Legislature OF Virginia has always
contained men of a high order of charac-
ter and ability, and many OF the senators
from this state have been most distin-
guished for wisdom and public and pri-
vate virtue. And yet IL cannot be sue
cessfully denied that 40 men assembled
at the State capital subjected TO the
poratlons and combinations Of corpora
tons. controlling hundreds Of millions OF
money and employing hundreds OF thou
sands of trained agents and professional
men. have not the resisting force of half
a million of voters. eacn intrenched In the
fortress Of his own home and the af-
fections of his own household. whose sole
protection is his freemans vote. If this
refuge-the people-should ever fail, them
indeed, must the republic be despared Of
but not until then.
In the light of recent events it cam
not be gainsaid that Legislative elections
are prolific source of legislative corrup-
ton" That in many recent and we'll
known instances they have resulted in
prolonged deadocks and entailed great
cost upon the unfortunate Common
wealths where they have existed is an
additional argument against the present
method Of electing United States Sena-
tors. Within few days past the legis-
latures of Delaware, California and Utah,
after frittering away their entire term
In fruitess efforts 10 elect United States
Senators, have adjourned finally. and for
two years to come each of those States
will be deprived of one half Of its repre-
sentation in the Senate The indications
all are that the legislative deadlock in
Pennsylvania will not be broken, and that
it also will lose a senator for at least TWO
years.
CALL FOR MEETING HERE.
To the Democratic party OF Virginia this
note OF admOnitiOn and warning Is sound
ed. Upon II has been laid the solemn re-
sponsibility OF the government OF our
beloved Commonwealth I'm the visible
future and the election of the next United
States Senator TO be chosen from this
State. With the people of Virginia II Is
the white mans burden which he may
not refuse To lift and. therefore, with
view 10 carrying into practical effect the
principles herein set forth, TINS ADDRESS
is now issued.
To such Democrats as hold 10 the prln-
ciple that the people are fully capable OF
choosing their senators and who are VIII
ing to unite with US in an enort 10 secure
to them that cherished right, the INVITA-
ton is hereby extended 10 assemble IN the
city of Richmond OH Wednesday. the lVth
day of May. 1899 for the purpose Of ADOPT
| ing such measures as may be deemed pe5t
| to promote the election OF senators or the
| United States by the direct vote OK the
people. and, until that result Is accom-,
| plished, the selection OF party senatorlai
candidates by some popular method.
| (Sgned) JOHN +. RIXEY.
HENRY c. STUART,
CI.AGGETT b. JONES,
a. j. MONTAGUE.
JOHN GOODE.
j. c. PARKER,
WILLIAM A. ANDERSON,