The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-03-30
SENATORIAL PRIMARIES
Pull Text OF the Call For Meeting IN
Richmond to Consider the Question.

The following is the full text Of the
letter issued by Hon. j. +. Ri1ey
and others, calling for meeting in
Richmond on May H. 70 consider the
question Of a primary. to express
preference for the next [. 5 Senate to
succeed Senator Martin.
ITO the Democratic Voters Of Nir-
ginia
"The demand for change in the
method OF electing United States Sena-
tors is so widespread and so imperative
that the issue thereby raised cannot
be wisely or safely avoided by the
Democrats Of Virginia. The senti-
nent in favor Of the election Of Sena-
tors By direct vote of the people is not
of recent origin but its growth in its
present decade is unequaled In our en-
sire history. That it has been quick
ened immensely by the shocking DIS
closures of the Legislative scandals
which have disgraced many OF the
States of the Union is painfully ap-
parent, and their effect upon the pub
lie conscience cannot have escaped the
most indifferent observer Of passing
events. Indeed, the situation has be-
come well-nigh intolerable in many OF
the States. The people Of Virginia
cannot remain insensible to conditions
so fraught with peril TO our constitu-
tions
"T3n often Senators Of the United
Sta.os do not represent the body Of the
people of the several States. but very
frequently represent special corpor-
ate interests or special classes. Morti'
flying as this fact must be to every
lover of our government, it is no re-
cent discovery although the evil con
sequences and bitter degradation in
volyed in it have of late been pre-
sented with frequent and impressive
emphasis.
VICE IN EXISTING METHODS
"The vice in the existing method Of
electing Senators was detected by many
Of the wisest of the founders Of the re-
public, at the very beginning Of their
great test, among them, the Virginia
patriots, whose opinions at this date arr
accepted as the most valuable political
legacies that have come down to u
from all the past. These men have a.
inherited and instintive love Of liberty
adherence Of tyranny in any for m
which armed them with q power O
genius to carry out their high resolve
to have for themselves and to be
oueath to their descendants an endul
ing free government, resting upon tn
free will of free people. The argu
mapt for the present system was mad
that day frankly and without disguise
One of the most prominent advocate
of the legislative method Of electin
Senators, Mr.. Gerry, Of Massachusetts
insisted that the commercial an
moneyed interests would be more s.
cure in the hands Of the State Legi
lature than Of the people at large.
!, James Madison, on the other han'
declared that the great fabric to
' raised would be more stable and endu
ing IL it should rest upon the SOIL
q foundation Of the people themseiV
q than II IL should stand merely upon u
a pillars of the Legislatures themselves
a The declaration Of Thomas Jefferson
i am not among those who fear t'
people'-need not have been preserv'
TO assure us where the Judgment al
. svmpathies of the founders OF d.
}. mocracy were placed on this question
nor can it be doubted that Patri'
n Henry, the matohleSs defender Of pol