Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-07
wEDNEsDAy's WORK.

On Wednesday next the conference Of
Democrats representing those who favor
the choosing OF senators by the direct
vote OF the people, as outlined in the adj
dress issued on March 18th, will meet
here. our information is that the meet
ing will be- most respectable both in num-
hers and IN personnel. The leaders i'm the
movement are among the trustiest and
knightnest men in our party. Their char
meter and capacity afford all the guaran-
tees the public require as TO the action
That probably will be taken.
Plans for nominations and for securing
a change in the Federal Constitution will
be discussed and then we may expect
so hear some OF the best speeches that
have been made i'm Virginia in long
aime. with the making of a ''nomna-
aion" the conference has nothing TO do.
Al was not called for that purpose. Nor
nin II be a Legislative" body in any
sense. 1t can only recommend and petit
zion. 1t will rest with our party TO adopt
or reject any or all Of the suggestions
shat may be offered it by the conference.
We take It for granted that there Will
DC no division of opinion on the question
of endorsing the proposed change in the
Constitution. The people OF our state
seem to be almost unanimous on that
boint and all over the country public
sentiment is growing in the same direc-
aion. But we foresce lively debate on
Tie question of plans for nominations.
enclosures, not men," We expect TO be
ahe cardinal doctrine OF the meeting. The
great aim should be TO give the masses
us much "say" as possible when senate
rial candidates OF our party are 20 be
chosen. "Trust the people should be
she motto.
one other thing 1t seems 20 the Dis
match the conference should do, and this
IS TO urge the representatives OF our
party in the next Legislature to have the
Legislature appoint committee 10 CO.
operate with the committee OF the Legis-
,ature of Pennsylvania in relation to the
proposed constitutional amendment. Va
rious resolutions have been adopted 10y
state legislatures and State conventions
OF different parties looking to this
change but what is badly needed is uni
form and concerted action
We append hereto the resolution adopt
ed by the Legislature OF Pennsylvania
and IL seems to us that it offers "a practi
cal method Of developing and concen
trating public opinion on this subject. Ii
the sentiment OF the voters of this coun
Try be what we believe II to be, II only
needs to find expression 10 become ell
fectlve. The proposition of Pennsylvania
viii cause the subject to be discussed II
every State Legislature. In the States
where the change is approved we pre-
sumo that committees will be appointed
10 confer with the representatives OF
Pennsylvania. Thus the foundation viii
be laid for movement national In It's
character And SO, in due season, ever.
member Of every Legislature will be call
ed upon to vote 'for' or against The
movement With Pennsylvania's propo
sition In view, what more rational, wha
moro proper. what more timely than thai
the Democrats of Virginia should wish (
align themselves in order 20 give Jealous
and effective support to the scheme.
The Pennsylvania resolution is as fol
lows:
Copy OF Resolution Authorizing Appoint
ment OF Commissioners 10 Confer with
Commissioners from Similar States IN
Relation to Proposed Amendment TO the
Constitution OF the United States. Pro
yiding for the Election of United States
Senators by Popular Vote
Ia the House OF Representatives. April
3, 1888:
Whereas, II Is evident. judging By the
tone OF the public, press. as well as by
the resolutions OF the state legislatures
and the resolutions passed year after
ysts BY the national House OF Repre-