The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-10
Spirit of the Press.
PRIMARIES FOR U. S. SENATOR.

PRIMARIES FOR u. s. SENATOR.
Patron and Cleaner.
The Democratic State platform last
year pledged the party to the election
of United States Senators by the people.
This, as the United States Constit tuition
stands, and until it is amended, means
primary election. This pledge is in ac-
cordance with the will of the people as
shown all over the Union. The election
of Pritchard was VIGOROUSLY secured by
a certain corporation and this makes it
all the more important that the Demo
cratic United States Senator who will
be chosen next year shall be, beyond
debate, the choice of the Democratic
masses.
No one will oppose a primary for the
selection of n Senator unless he doubts
for himself, or his candidate, that the
popular will is for his candidate. There
are many good men, however, who may
doubt the propriety of a primary this
time for two reasons:-1St. Because a
primary for Senator may get up a
wrangle which will jcopardlze the Con-
stitutional Amendment. 2nd. Because
under the peculiar circumstances of the
elections of 1896 and 1898 tine way men
voted is not TO be called a strict proof
of party fealty or it may be polite
not to so consider it.
Without admitting the sufficiency of
the last plea, there was never bet
ter time for IA Senatorial primary than
next year.
First. Let there be no Senatorial pri-
mary. nor any discussion of the Sena-
torial candidates at all, till after the
August election, when the Constitutional
Amendment and State officers will be
voted for. But ninety days thereafter,
in November, there is to be an election
for national officers only, when Presi-
dent. Vice President and members of
the lower House of Congress are TO he
chosen. That is the time and pace
when the Democracy should hold its
primary to designate the mem5e" from
this State for the upper House OF Con-
gress. At each polling place and few
feet away, the Democratic primary
should be held There can be no ques-
ton of full attendance as he whole
voting population will he there 10 vote
for President and Congressman.
Second. 1t avoids all difficulty as 10
who shall vote in the primary. The
test will not be how a man voted in
1896 or 1898, and as t. which disputes
can arise. But the only question 10 a
voter will be, How did you vote this
day? II you voted for the Democratic
candidates for Presid mt and lower
House of Congress, then you can vote
iE this primary for the me4nber for the
upper House of Congress otherwise you
cannot"
The assignment of the State cleo
ton, including members of Legislature,
to August and of the national election
to November, thus facilitates primary
for Senator without jeopardizing in the
least the Constitutional Amendment, the
Legislature or the State ticket. 1t will
all take place three months after the
State election is over. 1t will be prac-
tically the election by the Democracy of
United States Senator at the same
time the members of the other House
of Congress and President are voted for.
No better device could be had to insure
a full attendance at the primaries. Let
| the people have their say in the election
of United States Senator according to
| the pledge i'll our State platform.