Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-28
.sOME POPULAR METHOD"

A few persons have gotten the remark
able idea that those Democrats who faVor
The nomination of senatorial candidates
by State conventions of our party would
mot be entirely at home in the May meet
ang. We cannot see why The call Cor
the conference is addressed TO all Demo-
Gratis who favor the proposed change IN
abe Constitution and who wish our party
nominations TO be made by "some popular
method" until tho change can be effected.
"A nomination by a State convention
would be popular method" of course.
Our State conventions often number 400
or 1900 members, who are In the highest
sense Spokesman and agents plenipoten
yiary of our people.
Inasmuch as state primary election"
could only be ordered by State conyen-
fon, we doubt If there would be time
70 have one this year. Certainly there
would not be time unless the greatest
possible speed were made in calling
convention. Therefore. we take it, that
ahe May meeting will have to consider
seriously whether the popular method"
sought for may not be found In State
convention, or else in city and county
primaries, the latter to be petitioned for
by the communities interested and order
ed by the county and city authorities Of
'Sur party.
A State Democratic convention could
only be called by the State Democratic
Committee. If its members were elected
lt primary elections so much the better.
Az the Dispatch has repeatedly said.
IRE May meeting win know full well that
II can only suggest and urge; that 1t can
not legislate Tor our party.
At the beginning of this discussion
nbout senatorial nominations it was al
legged by some that the May meeting was
attended TO usu-p the functions of a State
convention. There never was any founda-
tion for that suspicion; nor for that
which ascribed to the callers the design
of making a senatorial nomination"
One after another of the objections
raised against the May meeting have been
disposed of. The meeting grows in popu-
Gar favor every day. Its objects are dis
approved by few. The election OF sena-
itors by the people themselves and the
popular method" are two things that
are popular with Virginians. Our people
ever have felt competent TO manage their
own affairs. Our voters have time and
again shown that they may be safely
arusted, whether at primaries or general
selections.
The convictions of Virslpians upon this
men care to antagonize the prevailing
public opinion. Yet some are finding ex-
cuses for not giving their approval to the
May movement. That is their concern.
But those who claim for themselves the
privilege OF deciding as to the merits OF
the May meeting ought cheerfuly to ac-
cord to others of opposite opinion the
privilege OF acting as their consclences
dictate. To be or not TO be All advocate
OF the May meeting is not a party test,
but II is a poor rule that does not work
both ways.
One OF the reasons why the Dispatch
desires large attendance at the May
meeting Is that we may have the benefit
OF full discussion as to the resolutions
RASRSott AS4 aHSIAiOHs vi sPtAS', IL Is
known IN advance what principles that
meeting will cspouse. but II remains to be
determined what defnitve plan of action
1t will adopt. on that point there is like
iy to he enough difference OF opinion
20 cause lively discussion. Aud as there
will be In the meeting many men OF
pgomnenee-.many distinguished for their
oratoriesl sifts--we may expect debate
that VIII be memorable and instructive.
SO We say to our friends. Como and
give us your counsel and encouragement.
We believe ycu Will never have cause 10
regref that you came forward boldly and
proelaimed your Willingness TO trust the
people. The movement IN not likely TO
saa here In Virginia 1t is quite sure