The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-03-28

Democrats of Virginia refuse to particl-
pate in a great movement destined to re-
store to the people where 1t rightly be-
longs, the right to elect their Senator's
as they now do their Representatives and
their Governors.
In South Carolina. Georgia, illinois
and other States, the people. despanins o.
any action by the Senate Itself. Rave us
covered a remedy for the evil. AID nave
not hesitated TO apply il. They have
adopted Senatorial primary systems d!
means of which they virtually elect the'f
Senator'S. In no single instance "heIe
such primaries have been Tesortsd 10 haS
the result been disappointing TO them. VI
course, the trusts, the TinSs, and the po-
, ntical bosses have opposed: but whenever
and wherever the people have once taken
this power into their OWN hdHuS lhey
never have been known to relinqu'sh ~
1t is vain and misleading 10 say lndt
this question has been decided By the
party organization in Virginia. Nothing
is ever decided which Is lot decided rlsh',
or which is decided against the ]. Itslsta-
bic course of events. 1t l.. true that a res
olution providing for Senatorial primaries
failed of passage a. the Roanoke cohven-
ton of 1897, but 1t is also true that u was
not considered until late hour IN the de-
liberatiOns of that body. and until many
OF its members had departed Tor thelr
homes.
Al
'.'The principal argument urged against
it's passage was not directed against its
merits. but was based upon the contention
that the cOnveation-nOt having been call
ed for that, but. on the contrary. for an
entirely different purpose. namely. the
nomination Of a State tickeI-Ought not
hastily and ineonsiderately TO take action
so important As il was and in spite or
Z ~ he. n
the proposition were cast by proxies, I'M
instructed upon that subject, it received
go votes.
THE Legislature Of Virginia has always
contained men Of a high order of char
acter and ability. and many Of the Sena-
tors from this State have been most dis
! tingUished for wisdom and public and pri-
waite virtue. A;Id yet IL cannot be success
fully denied that 40 men assembled at the
State Capital, subjected TO the powerful
ard insidious influence of corporations ana
combinations of corporations. controlling
hundreds OF millions OF money, and en-
/ ploying hundreds OF thousands of trained
agents and professional men. have not
[ the resisting force Of half a million OF
voters. each intrenched in the fortress OF
/ his own home and the affections OF his
! own household, whose sole protection Il
/
/ people-should ever fail. then. indeed.
must the republic be despaired Of, but not
until then.
In the light OF recent events It cannot
( be gainsaid that Legislative elections are
a prolific source Of legislative corruption.
That in many recent and Well-knoNn III
stances they have resulted in prolonged
ceadlOcks and entailed great cost upOn
/ the unfortunate Commonwealth where
I they have existed, IL an additional arsu-
I cO4inEf FagE Of Il.
/ ing United states Senators. Within a Few
days past the Legislatures Of Dela ware
and Utah. after fTitJering away their ec-
/ tire terms in fruitless efforts % elect
United States Senators. have adjourned
/ finally. and fer two years 10 come each
Z OF those States will be deprived Of one
I half Of its representation IN the senate.
I The indications all are that the legisla-
/ tive deadlock in Pennsylvania viii not O.
| broken, and that II, also. will lose a
/ Senator for at least two years.
Cali for a Meeting.
ITO the Democratic Parry OF Virginia
/ this note Of admonitlOn and warning Il
/ sounded. Upon IL has been laid the solemn
/ responsibility Of the government o. our
/ beloved Commonwealth in the visible
/ future. and the election OF the next
/ United States Senator TO be chosen from
| this State With the people OF Virginia
| il is the white mans burden which he
may rot refuse 10 lift. and. therefore.
with = view To carving into practical cf-
/ feet The principles herein set forth. this
/ address j. now issued.
TO such Democrats as hold 10 the prin-
| eipIe that the people are fully capable VI
| choosing their Senator'S, and sb0 as=
willing to unite with az In an effort %
secure TO them that cherished righi. the
! tr,-i,stfnn "a hereby extended 10 assemble
IN the city Of Richmond on Thursday. the
Iith day Of May. lsss. for the purpose %
( adopting such measures a. may be deem
Cd best 10 promote the election 81 sena'
| tors OF the United states o. the direci