Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-03
TWELVE PAGES
WEDNESDAY. MAY 3. 1899.
WHY FEAR THE PEOPLE :

Yes: that is an apt question: "Who
IS afraid of the people? The Richmond
Dispatch well says:
"For a long time there has been
shaping in the public mind conviction
that the Senate was not performing the
functions for which Il was instituted.
and that it must be brought into
closer contact with the people, ana be
made more amenable TO their wishes
In the same issue, one of the cores
pondents of the Dispatch saye:
"The nearer we get to the people the
more Democratic we are the more d.
rcctly from the people comes the COM
missions of our representatives, the
closer are we following in the spirit of
q government of the people, by the peo-
pie, and for the people"
But how much nearer does the choice
of u. S. Senator'S get to the people BY
taking it from n body of constitutional
delegates and placing it in body OF
party delegates? II we wish to carry
the choice TO the people. why not di-
rcctly TO them? Who is afraid OF them,
and puts his trust in a convention, just
as liable to undue manipulations and
influences as the legislature to say the
least. May we not jump out OF the fry
ing-pan into the fire. by not jumping
far enough? To start for the people
and stop at a convention. is not to go
far. and seems TO indicates fear OF the
people. Who are they who are afraid
OF the people? y convention is surely
no more the people than a legislature,
or legislative party caucus
The May conference must not forget
that the main question before It is
that Of the amendment of the Federal
Constitution, so that the election of L.
S. Senator'S shall h. by the people. with
no legislative intervention at all: and
then. yeaondarily, in what popular
mode, meanwhile. the people may best
express their preference among the
candidates for Senatorship: its power
in both. however. being only advisory
and recommends tory. Shall Il assume
TO speak for the party and ask the
State Democratic Committee, in the
name ot the people OF the party, to can
n convention this year To nominate a
wise that committee? 1t will have ex-
haustcd its powers in IA general appeal
or recommendation to the party at
large, to adopt the conclusions the con-
ference may reach on the two points
announced for consideration by the call
for it. TO do anything more. and ce-
pccialy through the conference. by
committee or otherwise. as of author
ity. to bring undue or extraordinary
pressure To bear upon the state Com
mittee. to call a nominating state con-
vcn;ion. will be unwise and in bad
faith.
THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT as from
the first, is still convinced that the hes,
way, and the only way iuntil the pro-
posed amendment OF the u. S. Consti-
tuition be effected), for the Democrats
of Virginia to instruct their represent
atives in the General Assembly as to
their preference for Senator, is TO do
80 in nominating their candidates for
the legislature by resolution, or plat
form, or. if the nomination be by prl-
mary election. by expressing their pre-
ference for Senator by naming him ON
their tickets or ballots cast in making
the Legislative nomination. We be-
lieve this the better and safer plan,
and one Well within the powers and
rights OF the people; but we are for it.
oil the more earnestly because VIC
doubt the proprlety OF State party
convention TO nominate q Senator while
the constitution is rs it Is and we are
sure 1t is very impoiltic to call n State
Democratic convention at this time
when there Is no necessity for il, and
when the ordinary dangers attending
such body are now increased by spe-
rial and peculiar circumstances.