Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-26
MARTINS POLICY A BLUNDER.

Richmond being the Capital OF Nir-
ginia, 1t may be taken for granted,
that. leading off in this campaign so
early, the Richmond Democratic Com
mittee controlled by Martin men and
intluences) did not act without in
structions. substantially. from Mr.. Mar
tin and his steering" committee. That
the Richmond committee set the cx-
ample and indicated the Martin policy
by hasty call for an Immediate pri-
mary to nominate Legislative candi-
dates. and q refusal to allow the peo-
pie 10 express in this primary their
preference for L. S. Scnator,--waS I'M
doubtedly for the benefit of Martins
friends and to guide them in this Cant
paign. SO far as-thcy have the power
to act. This may be denied: as no
doubt 1t will be: ii now being obvious
end and gag them ut the other: and
the policy" Will he repudiated and dis
avowed. The Richmond Dispatch. con-
tinues To report that the city committee
has Numbered badly in attempting to
gag the people. and the Times cdtorially
adds to what it said previously:
I'VE do not think it an cxaggeration
to say that the demand in this city
upon the part of Democrats for an OPP
portunity to express their choice of
Senatorial candidates when the pri-
mary is held has reached the proper
tons of Il popular clamor. Many
voters have gone 50 far as To say that
their only interest in the primary was
to cast an indirect vote for United
States Senator. and that if that nrivi-
lego is 1 D mo fiani.I bp N,fl ,pt
take the trouble to so to the polls and
vote
we arc utterly at loss to under
stand the action of the city Commit
tee in denying the voters this priv
Ono of tho strongest arguments
urged against the holding Of a State
primary, or a State convention, to
nominate Senatorial candidate was
that advanced Ivy Senator Daniel. who
said that he was opposed to taking
from the individual counties and cities
the right to manage their own local
affairs. He held that in his opinion it
would not be proper for the central
authorities to force the city Of Lynch
burg or any other city or county in
the state ii st its will To hold a
primary and Instruct their representa-
tivcS in the Legislature as to how they
should vote. He thought that this was
II matter which every community
should decide for itself. and insisted
that the way out of the difficulty. the
way for the people to express their
choice of candidates. was IL hold local
primaries here. there if they should de-
sire to do so. and EXPRESS their choice
of candidates for United States Sena-
tor. -"
IF there is one we'll established prn-
ciple of Democracy 1t is that Of local
SELF government and of popular cleo
tons. 1t is perfectly competent for the
1Dpnlofr.ItS nf Richmond ,,f I,
city. by primary election. or mass meet
ing. or otherwise. to instruct their rep
rcsentativcs in the Legislature rs To
how they shall vote on any public
question. ="
The duty of the committee is plain.
1t should be reconvened and it's action
reconsidered. The committee cannot
afford to ignore the wishes of the pco-
plp."
As apparent as it is that the Martin
campaign has begun with an eyre
giously atrocious blundcr in both its
haste and gag game. the arrogance
and confidence of the mysterious power
behind Martin is quite capable of de-
spising the respectful "Reminiscences
even of its friends and followers. and
pushing on, rough shod. over all who
desire secret ballot where mysterious
power may meet mysterious power on
something like fair grounds Without
this mysterious power ana it's secrc.
influences MIR. Martin would now have
10 retire: and even as it is, If the peo-
pie OF Virginia still have half the self
respect which causes other poodle 10
respect them. they will give Mr.. Mar
tin and his hackers severe and mcr-
tied rcbukc.