Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-14
SUNDAY......MAY1 IA, 1895
OUR STATE COMMITTEE.

There is a good deal Of newspaper dis
cusson just now as TO whether our state
Democratic Committee will be called to-
yether to consider the petition embodied
In the resolutions Of the May meeting.
our judgment is that the committee
will be called together, and probably by
common consent. We have no more in
formation upon the subject than the gene
raj public has. but we think the commit
tee. upon due consideration. surely will
not decline 20 give hearing to the great
number of true and tried Democrats for
whom the May meeting spoke.
As the Dispatch has said before, it
would be entirely within the province of
the State Committee 60 decide whether
the case made out by the mcmorialists
would Justify them In calling a conven-
ton. But that the state Committee has
the power TO call a state convention Is
indisputable. In the committees hands
is vested full discretion. The only ques-
ton with the committee would be whe-
Their the facts presented and the argu-
ments made by the memorialists warrant
ed affirmative action and the decision Of
the committee thereon would be conclu-
sive, and binding upon the party.
We reiterate our opinion that the State
Committee will not be pressed to order a
State primary election. There are grave
doubts as 10 its power TO do so. especial
" since the Roanoke convention (Which
had complete authority in the premises
refused to adopt that course. But the
Roanoke convention committed itself as
positively in favor of nominations by con-
ventons as it committed itself against
nominations by State primary elections!
Yes, the very convention that voted
down the primary election proposition
proceeded TO declare the Hon. John w.
Daniel the nominee of our party for the
United States senatorship! SO. while our
State Committee may refuse TO issue its
call for a State convention, 1t would be
impossible for them TO say that the Roa-
noke convention had enunciated any doc
trine hostile TO senatorial nominations by
State conventions. Ii a convention called
for quite another purpose had the power
which power we have never heard any
one question--to make a senatorial nomi-
nation. what could be the objection to a
senatorial nomination made by a conven-
ton called for that specific purpose?
If in the exercise of that discretion
which is vested I'm the State Committee
the committee should reject the overtures
of the May meeting for a State conven-
lion. then II would but remain for the
people 10 seek 10 express their prefer
ences by means OF the "home rule plan
BY this, we mean the plan of asking eacl
city and county committee separately tC
order a Democratic primary election. OF
provide some other fair plan, whereby III,
preferences OF its voters might be clearl!
EXPRESSED with respect 20 the senatorship
II is no secret that some of the mos
distinguished gentlemen who participate
IN the conference held here on the l0tl
instant favored tho "home-rule" methot
10 the exclusion OF all others; but tn
majority OF delegates were OF the opinion
that II was nothing mpre than right ant
proper that the State Committee shoul'
be requested 10 say whether they though
a state convention desirable or not.
OF course, II was not overlooked that 1
a State convention We're held they Nigh
order a State primary election--if the!
chose TO do so. on the other hand tn
fact that Senator Daniel had expresse,
himself substantially in favor of what i
called the hone~rile Plan. induced man.
persons to believe that the general adop
ton OF that plan would be productive o
the very best results 70 the party.
We reproduce again what Senate
Daniel said upon this subject in Wash
ington on April Sd:
''what do you think, Senator, Of tn
movement 10 elect senators by the PEG
pier ,ts lost n
Il am" he replied, lin favor of allow
ing any OF the counties that desire TO in
dicate their choice OF senator by pr
mary or primaries TO so so, but ! an
opposed To forcing any county 40 adop
that plan" aE any enff