Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-20
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TIE PEOPLES SENATOR

THE NIRGINIAN-PI took sides
with the May Conference at Richmond
in favor of reform in the mode of
clcc lion of L. :. Senators: but from the
first it called attention to the difficult
ties and delays that would surely at
tend the attempt TO secure the neces-
sary amendment to the L. S. Constitu-
ton TO enable the people TO elect the
Senators by direct popular vote. In view
of these certain delays. THE VIRGIN
lAN-PILOT laid much stress upon the
action of the people of the Democratic
primary elections or county conven-
tons urging that in these primaries
the voters could and should express
their preference for L. S. Senator,
whenever necessary. and every county
or legislative district instruct it's can
ddatc Gf elected) for whom to vote.
No question had ever been raised
since the formation of the government
IS To the right of any Legislative con-
stitucncy 10 instruct its candidate as to
men or measures. ana none was raised
i'll this case; butthere- Nas 4 difference
OF opinion as to how the people Gin adj
vance of constitutional amendmenO
could best express their preference as
to n Senatorial candidate: Some were in
favor of Il primary election ordered by
the state Committee. or by State
Democratic Convention called by that
committee, or by popular action in the
respective primaries, severally-wheth-
er the primary was n county convention
or a primary election. We stood by the
last; not only because we believed il
the best and most proper plan under
all the circumstances. but also because
we We're convinced that the great ma
jority Of the people preferred this plan.
The conference of May was a great
success in some respects; but 1t ap-
pointed committee and adopted res
olution Ton the urgency OF gentlemen
prominent in the movemenO asking the
State Democratic Committee to call
State Convention to nominate a u. s.
Senator this fall; but the committee
has met and declined. by 81 votes to IL,
TO call the convention asked, and. on a
separate motion, refused also to call or
order primary observation-disclosures va
rious reasons therefor, but chiefly be
cause the people had not spoken in a
way that indicated their desire 10 be so
strong for Il new method of electing L.
;. Senators as 10 require the commit
tee TO call Il convention.
Thus, THE NIRCINIAN-PILOT has
its views fully and strongly sustained
BY the STATE Committee, as they had
been approved by the Democratic peo-
Pic Of The State, and we are accordingly
graiiiicd, especially as we believe the
convention would have been very dan
gerous and let down the bars to evil At
time when it bchooves the party to
be as discreet as possible.
iiut the people all over the Union
have been strongly stirred in this mat
ley. aud not only in Virginia, but
wherever a l.. s. Senator is now to BE-
chosen the voters will clearly indicate
to their legislative candidates. in nom
mating them. whom they prefer as the
successor of Senator Martin-himself.
or someone else Yet. whether the Viz
vinia voters prefer Mr.. Martin or an
other. they should clearly express this
i'll choosing their Senator'S and Dele
gates for the General Assembly: and
we trust that they will do this for the
benefit OF the example 20 other States.
where Senatorial scandals are becoming
the opprohium Of our government.