The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-06
THURSDAY. APRIL 6. 1899.
NO PRIMARY ON UNWILLING
COUNTIES


Our special Washington corr espondent
represents Senator John w. Daniel as
Saying in Washington last Monday Of the
movement of Democrats in this State to
have United States senators elected by
ihe people. Il am in favor Of allowing
any Of the counties that desire TO indi-
tate their choice for senators by prima-
ries TO do so. but / am opposed to fore
ing any county to adopt that plan"
1t Is indeed a remarkable attitude for
the friends of any candidate for the
United States Senate to assume when
they openly look upon this movement to
elect United States senators by the
people as one hostile TO and aimed at
that candidate. 1t is strange indeed
that tho friends of n candidate should
shrink it an unfriendly act to him TO ask
that the people be allowed to say whether
they wish him to be their senator or not.
if they do not wish him for their sena-
tor what right has he to be their sena-
for? If he does not represent them,
Whom does he represent?
There is a FEASIBILITY about Major
Daniels suggestion that a primary should
not be forced upon a county which makes
81 much more forcible than it really is
when subjected to the test OF analysis
as applied TO the movement now on foot
AT what does that movement aim? Ac-
rording TO the proclamation with which
II started. 1t aims only al taking meas
ures to secure the election of United
States senators by the people. IL is not
limited TO the State Of Virginia bur has
as its objective the whole United States
Ssnate and the whole Of the United
States In that view Of the case there is
certainly nothing TO Justify opposition O.
II even on the score OF primaries not
being forced upon unwilling counties
But it is not our custom to dodge issues
hnd We are free 20 confess that ALTHOUGH
The proclamation takes no special note
Of the coming election of a United States
eenator in Virginia. those who are most
active In the movement and the great
body Of the people Who wish it well-and
they are the great body of the white
people OF Nirgina-hope most earnestly
10 see II result IN primary election this
summer or fall IN Virginia. by which
the white people Of the State may be
given an opportunity to express their
preference for the United States sena
Tor that the approaching Legislature is
10 elect.
Now the conference TO be held in Rich
tnond is not a conference OF the author.
tiles OF the Democratic party so that II
will be powerless to impose its will upon
any county or town whatever. All il
ran do is TO make recommendations. and
& county that does not want a primary
NIL be entirely free TO reject the recon-
nendatiOns IL makes.
Nevertheless We expect TO see this con-
ference so entirely and so confessedly
representative OF The opinions and feel
ings Of the white people OF Virginia that
its recommendation will be accepted |
Everywhere and in all parts Of the State
rs the voice OF tho white people. and that
The white people OF each county viii
lake their own way Of expressing their
concurrence with its recommendations
whether their party authorities ike them
Dr DO not. The will OF the conference will
not. therefore. be imposed upon any
county. but we expect TO see the white
people OF each county gladly accept what
The conference recommends. The case
Gid not therefore Justify Senator Daniel
In discussing the imposition OF a primary
Upon an unwilling county. No attempt
Will be made TO do this. and ye, we have
DO doubt, when the conference is over, It
will be found that there is no unwilling
county but that each one will rush up
Eagerly TO get It's dose OF the pleasant
medicine prescribed