The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-14
ELECTION OF zESATORS AND
PRIME KIE>

for II. s. Senator" In as much as the
last democratic state convention pledged
the party to the change in ann Of
electfng United States senators from
the legislature to the direct vote Of the
people, it is a pledge that must be act
ed upon and not ignored or avoided.
There is no doubt whatever that a large
majority of American electors are fav-
orable to a change in the plan Of elect
ing senator's. The fact that for twenty
years many legislatures have been
bought by rich men who aspired to the
senate without much if any capacity
for it's duties, and that Within a year
three or four legislatures have been
known to be corrupt and purchaseable,
and degraded and dishonest rascals lii
Hanna and Quay have obtained seats
through bribery and corruption, have
caused a vast change in public senti-
ment as to the mode of choosing U. S.
senator's. Scores of leading newspap-
.ers in the north have pressed the
change from legislature to popular cleo
TONS. 1t is twenty Times or a hundred
times easier for corruptionists to buy
a legislature than to buy a majority of
the voters of a state. Our contemporary
at Rich Square says of the democratic
action:
This pledge is in accordance with
the will of the people as shown all over
the union. The election OF Prltchard
was VIGOROUSLY secured by a certain
corporation and this makes it all the
more important that the democratic
United States senator who will be
chosen next year shall be, beyond de-
bate, the choice of the democratic
masses. No one will oppose a primary
for the selection of a senator unless he
doubts for himself, or his candidate,
that the popular will is tor his candi-
date"
1t very timely refers - objections
that may be raised against ; gliding the
primaries at the time of the vote on
the suffrage amendment in August.
This is wisely mentioned for a half
dozen candidates seeking the senator
ship and canvassing for self, might mix
matters and seriously divide public at
ctention, and thereby injure the pros
poets of a great victory for the very
important amendment to the consti-
UBJIOu. II Il W. Il VI ooo
importance that the question Of suf-
frage should be settled in North Caro-
Lima in behalf of peace, order, good
government and a white mans rule.
than it is to select any man to go to
the senate that Buffers empty seat
might be filled.
The Patron and Cleaner says, after
-Loo+;onipor tho nr0cppct of a hI1rtfnl
wrangle among aspiring politicians,
that a primary may not be held in
August because under the peculiar
circumstances of the elections of 1896
and 1898 the way men voted is not to
be called a strict proof Of party fealty
or it may be polite not to so consider
it,"
The remedy wisely proposed, is not
to disregard the pledge of the last state
convention, but to hold an election in
November after the state election at
the time of the national election for
president, members of congress, etc.
1t says
THAT is the time and place when the
democracy should hold it's primary to
designate the member from this state
for the upper house of congress. AT
each polling place and a few feet away,
the democratic primary should DE held.
There can be NO question Of a full at
tendance as the whole voting popula-
ton will be there to vote for president
and congressman"
That arrangement will avoid all Sc
rious objections and will insure a full
vote, as the real expression If the peo-
ple. Democrats and republicans and
populists who are opposed to the cid
ruinous system OF legislative. l0s-rolling
and corruption and desire an election
by the people will be inclined to ullte
in a much needed change in behalf Ct
a pure ballot. But this is not all in
the way of advantage in a November
primary ballot. Our contemporary
says:
1T avoids all difficulty as TO who
shall vote in the primary. The test Will
not be how a man voted in 1896 or
1898, and Is to which disputes can
arise. But the only question to a voter
will be. How did you vote this day?
If you voted for the democratic candi-
,dates for president and lower house OF
congress-, then you can vote in this
primary for the member for the upper
house of congress-, otherwise you cam
not"
s"The assignment Of he state election
Including members of legislature, to
August and Of the national election TO
November, thus facilitates a prl-
rnarv for senator without jeopardizing
in the least the constitutional amend
ment. the legislature Dr. the state ticket.
Tt will all take place three months al
ter the state election is over"
Our clear-headed contemporary meets
the objections judiciously and satisfac-
.torily and it's plan removes all possible
injury to the amendment by unpleas-
ant clashings and rivalries Of candi-
dates and their friends.