Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-26
EIGHT PAGES
WEDNESDAY, JULY %. 1859.
THE MARTIN POLICY OF GAGGING
THE PEOPLE.

The press ana people Of Richmond
eeem to be aroused at the action OF the
local Democratic committee in refusing
the Democratic voters OF that city a
choice of L. S. Senator'S al the primary
So hurrediy called TO nominate lcgis-
lators now who are not To serve before
December. AT this distance. il has the
appearance OF high handed measure,
II not an outrage on popular liberty. for
the committee to thus peremptorily
deny the voters Of the Democratic par
~ in Richmond an opportunity to cX-
ercise the right of expressing Il prefer
cneeifor a candidate for u. S. Senator.
especially in view of the prominence of
the gentlemen in competition, the i'm
portancey Of the issues involved and the
widespread interest that has been
shown in the matter of Il. $. Senatorial
selection and it's methods
What motives urged the committee to
This refusal. when there is also Il pen-
ty of time between now and November
for all necessary arrangements and to
give the people. the candidates and
their friends the right OF discussing
men as well as measures involved in
our legislative election, we. Of course
cannot positively say; but /; is in full
accord with the spirit and policy of
rushing the nominating primaries and
other Indications that imply a DISPOSE
ton to run over the peone, free
thought, free discussion and the public
preference, as Though in different
way) six years ago. when the secret
ring folsted the same gentleman. now
for reelection, .ipon the Legislature
and the people by ways and means that
were inferred then and are not forgot
ten now. The Richmond Times says:
We regret that the City Democratic
committee declined to give the voters
of Richmond an opportunity To express
at the forthcoming primary election
Atheir choice of Senatorial candidates.
and We think that the committee has
made grave mistake.
There is no sort of doubt that the
voters of the city desire that this privi-
legc be accorded them and the COM
mFtec would simply have carried out
the wishes of rho people If they had
adopted the plan indicated. Moreover.
eit tHi'NidiitS LOT Inc Legislature nau
publicly expressed n desire that the
people should instruct them as 10 their
choice of candidates for the Senate. and
So IL would appear that committee has
ignored the wishes both of the candi-
dates and the people in failing To act
II there had been any doubt as 10
pubic sentiment in Richmond concern
ing the matter. ii was removed yester-
DAY. Tnere Was universal expression of
disapproval. ana that IS 10 put it mild
ly.
The voters are greatly disappointed.
ana the members of the committees
nave offered no explanation Of ;heir
action. The proposition was summarily
disposed of withOirt debate. and the
public are in the dark as to why the.
committee arbitrarily decided :hat the
voters should have no opportunity 10
register their Will at the polls. There
JIG but one thing for the committee To
do. and that is IN hold another meeting
and reconsider its action. The voters
demand it..
The Richmond Dispatch in its repoto-
rial department bravcly declares that
the people do not like the action taken
by the committee. and says:
The action of the CITY Democratic
Committee in declining to incorporate
IN the plan for next Thursdays legisla-
eive primary provisi al giving the peo-
PIE the opportunity to express their
preference for United States Senator
has provoked considerable criticism.
and n movement is on foo, to ask the
committee to reconsider its action.
though it is openly stated by members
of the body that there is no likelihood
of the matter being taken from the ia
bile, where it was placed by the vote of
IL to 10.
On the streets Yesterday the acyion OF
ashe committee was freely discussed.