Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-18
POPULARITY OF PRIMNRIES.

1t seems TO the Dispatch that every
Virginia Democrat who is in favor Of a
change in the Federal Constitution with
respect to the election Of senator's a for
tiori must be much more in favor of noml-
mating our party candidates at primary
elections.
Suppose that tomorrow we in Virginia
were called upon TO elect a senator who
would the voters be? Why, every white
and black man who could vote for Cover
nor could vote for senatori
While a popular election is certainly
preferable to the present system, the
choosing of our party's nominee could be
done still better at a primary election
Then the voters would be white Demo-
Gratis only 1t would be a select electo-
rate-a great party Of white friends, ami
mated, We must suppose, by the lofty
purpose of getting the very best candl-
date possible-the very best candidate for
the state and for the party both.
Again, there are in Virginia some fine
old fellows, old Confederates among
them, who dearly wish TO have.a chance
OF casting their personal ballots for sena-
tors To many Of them the opportunity
will never come. If they are told to wait
the slow course involved in making a con-
stitutional amendment. These old gray
headed fellows want to vote for senators
now; they don't want the good thing that
is coming TO be postponed until after
they are dead and gone.
The question never ought to be. Who
started the agitation of the primary cleo
ton scheme? What's the use? 1t began
in this State several years ago. The Dis
patch was outspoken in its favor. 1t is
only necessary now TO enquire whether
it is a better method than the old method
OF nomination. and whether the people
want it. II these two questions be an
swered sfrmatiyely, then Democratic
party primaries should be held.
The number OF men who are willing TO
antagonize the primary election principle
is small. but not a few Will say: This
is not the occasion for it,"
We have never known a primary cleo
ton plan TO be proposed at any time. or
anywhere that some man. or set Of men,
did not rise up and argue that "the pri-
mary is good thing, but this is not the
time for H." II We were TO listen to such
directors the time for primary election
never would come. The Roanoke Con-
vention of two years ago thought the
question was then too new; that il had
not been sufficiently agitated, and that
primaries ought TO be held under the
aegis of State laws. Later, the Legisla-
ture concluded that the day for the
change had not come. and that no legis-
lation was demanded Icy the people. Now
an appeal is 20 be made TO the people
themselves. They are to be asked what
is their opinion-what they want.
Such IS the object Of the May meeting.
There can Ii no other object There /
have been suggestions that the May !
meeting might. could. would, or should
make a nomination" The call b,eathes |
no such purpose. but. on the contrary. |
indicates its object in the following Ian |
guage:
"rks purpose OF adopting such measures 1
as may be deemed best 10 promote the
election of the senators OF the United
States by the direct vote OF the people
and until that result IS accomplished the
selection OF party senatorial candidates
by some popular method"
This work over. the purpose for which
the meeting was called will have been
accomplished.
II is the duty OF our party to provide
good and satisfactory methods Of making
nominations. 1t is not the duty Of the
party-snd II will not be the duty OF the
May mee,ing-to propdo candidates for
nomination. Indeed. our experience hith-
crto has been that candidates need never ]