Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-19
THE COUNTIES MOVING.

The Southampton resolution strikes the
keynote with respect to the Democratic
conference to be held here on May 10th.
1T was adopted at meeting of
members Of our party held at
CORTLAND. the county seat, on Mon
day. 1t declares that 1t IS the sense
OF the meeting that the conference in
Richmond should not be for OF against
any candidate. but strictly for the add
vancement of a great cause. dearer to the
people than any man or men.
That's the idea exactly. The cause is
dcarer to the people than any man or
men"
our friends in Southampton evidently
have read carefully, and certainly have
construed properly, the call for the May
conference. Southampton is TO be repre-
scented by delegation of prominent citi-
Gems. number Of other counties have
also appointed delegates; but in each case
with the understanding that other Demo-
Gratis OF the county favorable TO the move
ment in question are not TO be discouraged
from coming TO the conference, if they
wish to do so.
The Brunswick resolution is not quite
clear to US. 1t says chat we favor the
election" of our United States senators
by the direct vote of the people, and we
will support any proper measure to that
end that may be adopted by our State
convention, whenever regularly called"
We must suppose that the use of the
ri fa IN, ba Of, ~
nomination. otherwise the State Demo-
cratic Convention would not have any
control over the matter. We also con-
strue the resolution TO mean that the
Democrats OF Brunswick who attended
that meeting do not favor any primary
election plan except a general one ordered
by the State Democratic Convention,
whenever regularly called.
We do not see how there could be a
general and uniform State primary cleo
ton for the nomination of a senator UNI
less 1t were ordered by State convention
of the Democratic party. But it strikes
us that It would be entirely practical
and regular for each county and each
city, through its regularly constituted
party authorities, TO order a primary,
at which nominations to the Legislature
might be made and at which the sense
of the qualified voters of our party should
be taken as TO their choice for senator
In that case there would be no power
whatever. but that OF public opinion. to
compel a city or county committee TO
order such primary. The prospect IS,
however, that public opinion is going to
be very potent in this matter
As We have stated heretofore, IL has
been tacity understood for months that
such a course would be adopted by the
party here in Richmond. Other cities and
counties have the same right TO adopt
this policy that we have. OF course. such
a primary as that. though generally
adopted, would not be as uniform as
State primary nor would it be upon pre-
cisey the same basis, for the local pri-
mary could only instruct the local repre-
sentatlves. whereas, the State primary
could instruct the whole Of the Democratic
membership in the Legislature.
We have no idea what plan will be re-
commended TO the party by the May meet
i1g. No doubt there are, at this
very moment. many careful ana thought
fpl men who are giving consideration TO
that subject; the most important sub
ject OF all.
The prerequisites for an acceptable
plan are that il shall be- fair and practi-
cal. giving no advantage 70 one candidate
over another. and (of courso) that 1t shall
be executed under the supervision OF
the regularly constituted authorities OF
our party. All hints and innuendoos that
The May conference aims 10 be above
snd beyond party contro. show amazing
Ignorance Of the distinguished gentlemen
Who signed the call and the thousands
Of honest and patriotic Democrats
throughout the State who are giving the
movement their carnest support.
Our information Is that the more the
people Learn about the purposes OF the