Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-14
FRIDAY IA, 1899
THE sENATORsHIP.

In announcing his candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for United States
senator Governor Tyler has created an
interest in the virginia elections Of this
year which would have been lacking
else 1T takes two to make match
and It takes at least that number 10
make any political canvass attractive 10
the public.
This competition means. also, that inc
attention Of the Democrats Of this STATE
Will be called to the dosirability of nav
ing senators nominated and elected by
popular methods The May meeting d."
not originate. but it widely disseminated
the doctrine that the people may as well
be trusted 20 choose their Senators as
10 choose their Representatives I'm Con-
grcss. Governor Tyler's CANDIDACY nee
essarily. will have q further educatonai
effect I'm that direction that is to say,
II will furnish an opportunity for prac-
teal test 10 be made wherever pubic
opinion demands that it shall be made.
The Dispatch has been candid and free
I'm tho expression of its opinion as TO the
policy that should be pursued by our
marty in making senatorial nominations.
And we have always declared and now
reiterate. that our fight was for a prin-
ciple without regard TO persons.
whenever power passes away from the
hands Of the many into the hands Of
the few then danger to the life Of the
party is 20 be approhended; but, when
the entire body polite discusses and de-
cides its affairs. with all the freedom
and frankness of a great family circle
a healthy growth may be expected. II
IS good for the country for the masses
10 feel and know that it is their influence
which controls public affairs and decides
what persons shall fiji public ohices@
We see nothing alarming in the pros
pect Of a senatorial contest IN Virginia.
Why should there be? Other States have
such contests. Can't we be as good
tempered and as prudent in our senator
ial contests as they are in theirs? Can't
there be rivalry for Office in Virginia
without the fear of disastrous results
70 our party? Why, surely!
As for the people themselves, they en-
10y such contests and, though al times
they may get a little heated in discus
sion, they never appeal from results
reached by a fairly-fought Tight.
And, as for the aspirants for senator
fal honors in this case do they not both
stand upon the Chicago platform, and are
they not both Democrats born and Nredy
Where they differ it is as TO public pol
1cies upon which our party has not taken
position. and those unsettled questions
they and their supporters may discuss
with all propriety.
Again. it may be presumed that can
vass between the gentleman who has
been elevated 20 our highest state Office
and our junior senator in Congress, will
be conducted with due dignity.
Never has the Dispatch permitted it.
self to become the organ or advocate OF
any person seeking a nomination. We
did not depart from that practice even
whore one OF the Dispatches own house
hold was an aspirant for high honor
at the hands of a state convention. we
purpose no new departure now. We wish
10 hold tho scales OF justice evenly. Our
ambition is TO be able 70 DO good work
against the Republican party in this
campaign, and those of all time to come.
and we want TO be in a position TO give
90 each nominee Of our party our I'M
stlnted support.