Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-26
4 CONFERENCE CALLED.

paraphrasing the words or JEFFERSON, We
may say that the Dispatch is not one OF
those who fear the people-the Demo-
cratic people. especially We He 20 see
them taking interest in public affairs. II
gives us pleasure TO hear them discussing
the questions of the hour, and we sympa-
thlze in their aspirations to be the govern
ing power in this country.
The trouble with American politics IS
not that they are dominated by the many
but by the few. OF late years through
out the land there has been n gradual
Withdrawal from participation I'm politics
OF many men, whose presence was whole
some and whose advice was unselhsh and
sagacious. We shall hail with delight
the day when there shall be reversal Of
this tendency. and there are signs which
seem TO foreshadow an Improvement
one Of the latest ana best of these is that
all tho Democratic candidates FOR the
Mississippi senatorshp have agreed. for
their part. that the contest FOR the nomi-
nation shall Dc decided at a party pri-
maryl
The Dispatch having advocated the
choosing OF senator's by the votes of the
people themselves Is, of course. pleased
with that Intelligence But still more
important news Is at hand. our local
columns this morning contain an address
signed by some Of the worthiest Demo-
Gratis Of Virginia. asking their fellow
Democrats. who are willing 10 unite with
them in an effort 10 secure this cherished
right. 10 assemble in Richmond on Thurs
day. the 18th OF May. 1899 for the pur-
pose Of adopting such measures as may
be deemed best TO promote the election
of senators by the direct vote Of the peo-
pie, and until that result Is accomplished
the selection OF party senatorial candi-
dates by some popular method"
Recent events IN several States have
mado the people turn In disgust from the
practices resorted 10 there. and which in
some instances have resulted In "sena-
torial deadlocks." The movement in
favor Of constitutional amendment
changing the mode of olecting senators
Is growing in strength, backed. as it is
by the irresistible force Of public APP
proval. The United States House of Rep
resentatives has repeatedly passed reso-
lutions proposing such an amendment.
and every member Of the Virginia dele
cation IN that branch OF the Fifty-hfth
Congress put himself upon record in favor
OF the change.
That the House delegation correctly rep
resented popular sentiment in this state
ave cannot doubt.
Little attention had been given by Nir-
ginians TO this subject prior TO the hold
ing OF the Roanoke Convention. The
most successful argument made there
against the primary election scheme was
that it was absolutely "a new question
10 the masses. But il IS no longer q
new question. Our voters have been in
Corning themselves. and the call for tho
Richmond conference of May nth will,
we believe. prove educational I'm the high
est degree. The address, which we com.
mend 20 all thoughtful persons. present.
the matter with a gravity and fore,
worthy Of one OF the most serious Ques-
tions of our time
The Dispatch approves this movement
because we think ii is in the right direc
ton; because we believe those who hay,
taken the lead in II are IN
spired by lofty purposes. and be-
cause We hope IL will result in the peopl,
or Virginia claiming for themselves IN,
inestimable right Of choosing their sena
tors in the United States Congress, jus
as they choose their Governor and thei
Representatives.