Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-21
PLANS THAT MAY DE ADOPTED.


The question has often been asked, in
more or less good faith. What can the
May meeting do-whats the use Of it,
anyway?
One OF its uses has been demonstrated
already. The call for il has resulted in
widespread discussion Of the matter Of the
election of senators. Never before. as in
the past few weeks. has the literature of
this subject been so closely and carefully
studied by the Virginia people. The Mad
ison Papers are in great reQuisition. The
copies of the various reports which have
been adopted by the United States House
of Representatives on the question of
changing the Federal Constitution in this
respect have been eagerly sought. Copies
Of the leading speeches for and against
the proposed change h4ye also been in de-
mand-
In short, since the 26th day Of March,
when the call was issued for the May
meeting, the people of Virginia have read
more and learned more about the history
of the adoption of the third section of the
Federal Constitution than ever before.
ne u<t VI Ailt NAY iii'NA4tts ~ ti-HN W
rection is clearly in evidence If to edu-
cate the people is a commcndable thing,
those who have led in this movement are
certainly worthy of gratitude.
Now as to what the May meeting "can"
do, We'll, it can do a great many things
10 forward the object in view.
1t can declare in favor of change in
l,. 80.
pie a direct vote in the election Of scna-
tors.
1t can appeal TO the Democrats Of Vir-
ginia to make this an object to be kept
steadily in view from this time until the
desired reform is secured.
1t can declare in favor Of the 'nomina-
ton" of senators "by some popular me-
thod." .-t.
1t can appoint q committee TO urge the
State Democratic Committee of Virginia
10 call "A state convention Of our party,
at which all of the questions relating to
the election of senators by the people Icay
be considered and determined. And that
State convention might either order uni
FORM and general primary election Tor
the nomination of senator, or il might re-
fer tho matter Of nomination 10 q State
convention whose delegates were elected
at primary elections. or it might refuse
10 take any action whatsoever.
or. the May meeting, through local or
PLANTATIONS in the counties and cities,
might appeal 10 the several county and
city Democratic committees TO have legis-
Iative nominations made at primary cleo
tions. and. at the same primary elections,
the choice of the voters for senator might
be expressed
Now, any one of these things the May
meeting NIGH, recommend to our party.
Something akin 10 one or another of them
we expect To see it recommend. 1t VIII
be a large body Of earnest, honest. and
active Democrats, whose views the Demo-
cratic party of Virginia will be sure to
hear with respect. 1t Will be represen-
fative OF so many thousands and tens of
thousands of truc-hearted Democrats its
opinions cannot be rejected with con-
tempt.
The gentlemen of tho May meeting. Of
course. Will not expect to "cOntroG' the
action of our party. but IL is fair that
they should be heard; that their petitions
and arguments should be weighed, 1t is
important that their purposes should not
be misrepresented or misunderstood No
good can come OF insinuating that it is
movement 10 advance the interest az
Somebody for the ready answer would be
that the opposition TO II was in the in
terest Of Somebody. And so we should
have elimination and recrlmination. in
stead OF ~ calm and deliberate council Of
friends who wish 10 give impetus 10 a
great movement.