Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-20
TWELVE PAGES
SATURDAY. MAY 20, 1899.
THE PEOPLE VS.. CONVENTIONS.

There is undoubtedly n great deal
6aid just now about the Roanoke Dem
ocratic State Convention. and what it
did. especially with respect to the U.
S. Senatorship. then to be filled from
this State. After full discussion, here
IS what it did:
I'VE cordially and heartily endorse
the course of our beloved and distn-
guished Senator, John W. Daniel, in
the United States Senate, AND WILL
OPPOSE ANY CANDIDATE for the
Legislature and Senate of Virginia
who is not in favor of his nomina-
ton"
1t endorsed Senator John w. Daniel,
md expressed It's wish and favor for
his denomination: yet it all the more
cmphatically confessed its entire lack
of authority to nominate or renomi-
nate him BY WHAT IT DID. That 1t
was equivalent to n nomination is not
true; for If the people and the Legisla-
ture they nominated and elected had
not been in favor of him, the resolu-
tion of the convention would have been
but brutum fulmen. and would have
been laughed at by people and Legis-
lature. Nor In any case could it be
equivalent to IL nomination or renomi-
nation. in law, right. or fact. for 1t
confesses Gas already said that it
cannot nominate, will not attempt to
do SO. and only threatens those who
may have this power with the dispIeas-
ure and opposition of the convention
if they do not favor Mr.. Daniel. The
real truth is that the resolution of the
convention but voiced the endorsement
of Major Daniel DEMANDED FROM
1T BY THE PEOPLE
The only point of any value rs n
decision. precedent. or opinion, is that
the Roanoke Convention disclaimcd all
power of nominating Senators. and cx-
pressed Its favor for his denomination
coupled with A THREAT OF POPJI-
LAR WRATH AGAINST ALL HIS
OPPONENTS.
But there Is here. so far. no question
OF candidates. From the first mootinc
of the conference. the subject OF can.
didates was loudly declared to be far
beyond the jurisdiction OF the proposed
/ meeting and consultation. Not only
|; was this so. but the convention itself
: Overwhelmingly voted down a PROPOSE
!, tion to consider anything with re-
spect to candidates. Yet the manag-
ers. under their blanket resolutions
| and by personal and official urgency
get through a proposition, distasteful
TO nearly all of the conferees, to ask
the Democratic State Committee TO call
n convention to nominate n candidate,
The convention, indeed, voted out, with
much enthusiasm, the whole matter Of
a Democratic State Convention; but ia
1 please their committee on business and
resolutions. the question was reconsd-
Elered and the monstrous thing was adj
n mitted-monstrous. we mean in ITS
N nsurpation and Inconsistency, though Il
VIII probably amount to nothing except
|. as an illustration how easily a body OF
I wise men may be led into folly.
We do sincerely hope the State Dem
:. ocratic Committee will not allow it.
SER TO be involved in this folly and
1hereby involve the State Democratic
party In what may thereby become
something worse than a blunder. The
Friends OF senatorial reform desire this
Virginia movement to unite all the
states and their people in 1t; but II
will be easy for fool friends 70 make
u aportive even as a State reform by
Overlooking It with personal and fac
Y aional motives and intrgues in the
4Tery outset. THE VIRGINIAN-PI-
faoT Is for the people. but for no in
divsdual. in this matter. The people,
sSe neSodxl .......