Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-01
MORE THAN HALF WON.

whatever so far as is concerned the
personal issue. may be the result of the
present campaign in Virginia for the
United States senatorship. there is no
1uestion that great and steady progress
BIAS been made in the State towards the
triumph of the broad Democratic princi-
pie involved. That principle is the cleo
rion OF United states senators by the
Hirect vote Of the people
With US, the personal phases OF the con-
fest are nothing. They constitute an
iephemeral side issue that is none Of our
concern. But the principle IS everything
ito US. It's vindication will mean the re-
Inoval from the foundation of our in
stitutions Of a stone which has been
sampeFed with until IL has come to de-
feat tho purposes for which the fathers
fashioned It and is source Of weakness
ITO the whole superintendent structure.
and the substitution therefor of another
lthat will be impregnahe TO the processes
hof disntegrauon. 1t will mean a more
permanent guarantee Of the stability Of
Our institutions.
And the work of removal and substitu-
htion viii carry with II no reflection upon
'the wisdom of the original architects of
rhe building. All who are familiar with
1.-THE proceedings Of the gathering in which
ahe plans Of the republic were framed
;know that the putting into the foundation
,of the stone that represents the existing
method of electing United States senators
WAS virtually a matter Of compromise
THE stone was shaped after lengthy de-,
bate and earnest consultations, and some
iof the ablest of those who participated
On laying it practically performed their
part under protest. They felt, - say
the least, tia 1t was out Of plumb with
sthe rest Of the course
Long before the movement for the clec-
ton of United States senators by the
direct vote of the people took organized
form. as in the call for the May Con-
ference the Dispatch ardentiy champion
ed the reform. AS our readers are well
aware. our advocacy OF trusting the peo-
ple in respect of this matter, and our
contention that the prevailing system
was becoming so Vitiated as to be OBJ
noxious 10 our form Of government and
a menace 10 the best interests of the
masses. antedate many of the more dis
graceful scandals in connection with the
election of United States senators by
legislatures. and which have impaired
vitality 70 the reform movement all over
the country. Ever since We began 10
press upon the attention of the Virginia
people the great principle and what It's
..yindication involved, there has been con-
stantiy increasing evidence from all parts
OF the state that the movement Tor a
change was gaining force with the
masses. That the rank and file Of the
Virginia Democrats favored the prlnci-
pie and would sooner or later see that
Il triumphed I'm the State has been made
manifest. Notwithstanding the influence
questions Of personality in many IN
stances have had in obscuring the main
issue. To-day the reform movement IS
stronger In Virginia than ever before,
and the progress it has made Is only
an earnest OF greater and more rapid
progress In the near future.
And what is true OF Virginia as re
cards the march OF the principle towards
triumph Is true Of .the country at
large. Since the greater scandals asso-
clated with legislative elections OF United
States senators have developed. State
after State has In one way or another
called upon Congress 10 submit 10 the
voters an amendment TO the Constitution
providing fer the election of United
States senators by the popular voice.
Now twenty-seven States are so record
cd and the demand Of the masses for
the reform II continuously being empha-
s'zed one day We hear that demand
shroash he press, the next through a
local convention. and the mex, through
state convention as witness the de-
Evtfanee on the subject Wednesday OF the
ONO Democrats Therefore. We say that
me friends OF The movement not only in
|. virginia. but throughout the Union. have
very reason TO feel gratined. and every