Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
WEDNESDAY........APRIL u, 1899.
BE EARNEST.

Because Of the fact that the Academy
Of Music here could not be obtained LOT
,,he day and night Of Thursday, May ll'h'
The date for the Democratic conference
has been changed to Wednesday, May
10th.
The sieners of the call for this con-
ference Of Democrats who favor a consul
tutional amendment providing for the
election Of United States senators ana
who desire. until that change can be
effected that our party nominations shall
be made by some popular method, assure
us that the movement is meeting with
great encouragement
Their statement comedies with our own
information, which comes from reading
our Virginia exchanges, from letters
which we have received. and from talk5
with a number Of men who are in the
habit Of travelling through this Common
wealth.
We are further assured that some OF
The most eloquent speakers Of the Demo
cratic party of the Old Dominion will be
present then. and as there will be no cut
md dried" programme. we may expect
discussion that will be of the greatest
interest.
The objects OF the meeting have been
clearly stated. but in a conference Of th's
character no doubt there will be several
plans proposed for carrying them into
effect. Many great men will certainly ne
here. but it is hoped there will be.a large
attendance. too, of lesser lights. We
wish to see every section of Virginia
well represented. Come on, ye farmers
businessmen, workingmen, and profess
tional-men.
II YOU think the movement IS worthy
of success. testify TO your belief by you"
presence. DO not content yourself with
saying that you approve It; come here
and show yourself among other worthy
Nirginians who believe that the people
are capable of governing themselves;
who think the people can choose their
senators quite as well as the men whom
they are In the habit of sending 10 the
legislature. Put yourself 10 some troubi a
md expense if need be to show yourself
among the Democrats of Virginia who
are willing and eager to stand up and
hr0Hlllln
change.
If the friends of the proposed election
of senators by the people will but show
the proper interest and spirit the confer
ence of May 10Th will have great weight
with the party. Don't devolve upon your
neighbor the duty Of representing you
here. II you can be present in person. 1t
a a
YOU espouse to stand up and be counted
II not to speak. for the desired chanse
in the method OF choosing senators.
The opponents of the May meeting have
presented a number of arguments IN
which they labor TO show that the change
Is impractical or undesirable. Not one
Of these arguments that we have seen
so far Is new. All have been advanced
and answered in the United States House
OF Representative. where the subjec
has been discussed at great length anc
with the result that the House has time
and again, by Overwhelming majorues
nassed resolutions and sent them TO Tho
Senate proposing that a constitutional
amendment be submitted TO the seVerd
States.
We repeat that this is no new question
1t is surprising how many speeches pf'
and con. have been made on II In tn
House. all Of which may be found Ii
the pages of the Congressional Record
Now the time has come for popular ac
ton. The friends and advocates OF 'h'
change in Virginia wish 10 show thei
strength and voice their feelings. so TIA
the whole Democratic party may be pro
perly impressed with their numbers an'
respectability. They hope that the We"
they hold may find general acceptance
here and spread to other States.
The time Is opportune; the occasion Ill
SO. friends. resolve TO come TO the Ma
conference Come yourselves, and brin
other friends with you! DO your par
By your presence. your advice, ana YOU
votes. Come.
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