Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-08-20
PRACTICAL POLITICS.


PRACTICAL POLITICS.
"These things are seen and read OF
by all men: for some they have Il fas-
Gina tion. They first endure. then pity,
then embrace. In some OF the States
rs have said. this thing has been car
ricd SO far as TO embrace all officers
OF the government. from the highest
to the lowest. In many cases it is
matter of bread and meat TO men.
They occupy uncertain grounds; an
other may at any time sUpplant them
III the favor OF the chief They are
asking for gifts and helping to nerpct-
uate the very power that is over them
and in dread OF which they stand.
Great Office trusts are being built up
all over the country and with the
names OF many of them we are all fa-
miliar. Now these things have been
seen ana read about in other states.
Is the Goth and the Vandal at our own
doors here in Virginia? Are all OF the
best and sacred things, the traditional
virtue of this Commonwealth endanger-
ed by these new traditions? The ques-
lion is ever before us, shall the people
rule or the few self-constituted manip-
ulators? There are many in the land
who have not despaired. They believe
in the divine right OF the people to rule:
they believe that people. II left To them
s-r~V+---l.l-l do Mhll i right y ny pcan=
csition which is fully and frankly stat
ed TO them will find them on the right
side of it. Hence. in all the States
there is Il movement among patriotic,
liheriy-loving people to preserve to the
people directly the right to freely Sc
lcct their officers. to manage their own
affairs. and 10 vote. among others. for
the very important ofiicer--a United
States Senator The question Is fire.
quently asked: IF this is the case.
why not the people elect the judges
alsO?" | stand here to-day and boldly
say IT is because the people DO not de-
Sire it. They have n right to elect the
judges also. ana in many States of thia
Union they exercise that right. In our
sister State of North Carolina the
judges are elected by the direct vote
of the people. and they have a good
and pure judiciary: a like situation cx-
lists in many other States. At any
time the people can reach out and
take to themselves again this delegated
power
SELECTION OF JUDGES.
IF judges should ever set to be in
this Commonwealth. which. thank God.
as yet. they have not. the playthings
of political bosses and the rewards of
partisan aburs. then am in favor of
the people taking hold OF the question
of the selection of Judges just as they
are now taking hold of the question Of
the election of Senators. Again. the
charge is hippanIly and foolishly made
over this state that it is damaging 10
the Democratic party 10 aeitate this
question within it's ranks. But 1 say
here to-day THAI it is better for the
Democratic party 10 correct this evil
inside OF lis own lines than nave a
revolt raised against II. Let this agi-
taiion, this revolution, go on inside Of
party lines until the right prevails.
Now, let me refer for 4 moment TO
the much-discussei May conference. In
order - further the objects that have
thus briefly set forth. a number of gem
tlemen called a meeting % all Demo-
Gratis in the State who were in favor
OF the election of Senators by the peo-
pie. 10 assemble in Richmond and take
action looking 10 the accomplishment
OF this object. The meeting assembled
on the 20th of May. and has been since
designated as the May Convention. II
was composed of men who have shed
iusire and glory upon our Common
wealth. both in peace and in war. No
cleaner nohier. truer body of citizens
ever assembled for any purpose. They
formulated their plans. but for reasons