The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-11
THURSDAY. MAY Il, 1890.
THE coNFEnENcEANDITs WORK

The May Conference has been held ana
It's work is good II was composed OF
body of patriotic Democrats who had one
great purpose in view. and who could
not be turned away from that purpose
bv side issues or by the chatting and at
tempted ridlcule Of their opponents The
conference was well attended 10y repre-
sentative men from an parts Of the State.
The attendance would have been larger
had not the opponents of the movement.
by industrious work. worthy Of a better
cause. created the impression that the
movement was inaugurated merely 10
promote the candidacy of some man
who was seeking 10 defeat the junior
Senator from Virginia, and for no higher
purpose.
But II there was any hidden motive It
did not maintain itself in the eloquent
speeches that were made. or in the reso-
buttons that were finally adopted. The
conference was entirely frank, and moth
ing was done in a corner. Every speaker
who addressed the conference insisted
mat tho movement was not directed for
o. against any aspraut for the Senate.
but was designed TO promote the great
cause OF popular elections. which was
50 dear to the heart Of Thomas Jefferson.
The mere mention Of a proposition 10
nominate n candidate was promptly voted
down, and st was clearly demonstrated
that the conference was for measure
and not for a man for the Senate
1ho resolutions adopted are dignihed
and conservative. yet earnest and urgent.
An unequivocal declaration is made in
favor Of an amendment to the Federal
Constitution by which senators in Con
eress shall be elected by direct vote Of
the people of the several States instead
Of by the Legislatures thereof ln the
effort 10 secure such amendment the CO.
operation Of other States of the Union IS
invited. Pending the adoption Of such
constitutional amendment, tho confer
ence declared in favor OF the nomination
OF party candidates for the United States
Senate by State primary and the Legs
lature Is requested To- legallze such pri-
maries whenever held The State Cen
tral Committee Is appealed 20 10 provide
at once for holding state primary. or
State convention for the nomination Of
a Democratic candidate for the United
States Senate 20 be voted for by the next
General Assembly.
The resolutions 80 on TO say that IL Is
hoped and believed that the STATE Com
mittee will obviate the necessity for local
action. by ordering general primary
election or convention, but In the event
that the committee declines TO act. il is
urged that primaries be held In the sew
eraI legislative districts and that no
man be nominated for the Legislature
unless he favor the principles expressed
in the resolutions and pledge himself 10
support for the United States Senate a
candidate who Is the open and unequivo-
cal advocate thereof. and finally a league
was organized to promote the principles
set forth IN the resolutions
The conference has done It's work well
and We believe that its work win be eff
fective. AS 20 what action the state Com
Illlttt Will ANNtf We rAsoll AANN a't ~Nt.~N
or speculate. But whether the appeal for
a primary or a convention be effective or
not. u great movement In behalf Of the
right and demand OF the people 20 elect
their senators in Congress by direct vote
has been isaugurated. league has been
organized to carry on the work and keep
up the agitation. and the end Will be the
final triumph OF the people over the po-
iitical machine.
For many years. al one time almost
single handed and alone. The Times urged
that the people take into their own hands
the election OF Federal senator's. and we
feel pardonahie pride In the fact that
the Democrats Of Virginia have now so
CALAMITY come up 10 our support