Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-05-18
TO LET THE PEOPLE SAY
The May Conference Appeals to the State
Committee for a Primary.

The meeting OF Democrats favorapis
to the election of United States Sena
tors by the people, familiarly known
AS the May Conference, was held IL
Richmond last week in the Academy
OF Music, and was attended by about
700 delegates. Hon. j. q. Parker. OF
Southampton, called the meeting tc
order. and at the close of brief. but
happy speech, named the following
temporary officers: Hon. John Goode,
of Bedford, chairman; John 5. Bar
bour, of Culpeper, secretary; L. A.
BOwery. of Richmond city, sergeant
at arms. Prayer was offered by DIR.
w Il. Starr, of Broad Street M. r.
Church. On taking the chair Mr.
Goode made stirring speech which
was literally punctuated with ap-
plause. The usual committees on
organization and resolutions were ap.
pointed, after which a recess was
taken. At the afternoon session the
committee on permanent organization
rendered their report which was
adopted. 1t recommended Hon. VIM.
A. Anderson, of Rock kbridge, for chair
man and that the other temporary
officers be made permanent. On TAX
ing the chair Major Anderson fully
sustained his reputation as speaker,
and he too, was roundly applauded.
The convention was participated in
by number of Democrats, some of
whom are prominent, some out of date
and others who in 1896 aided in defeat
of the Democratic candidate for the
presidency. There was an abundance
of speech making, but the only result
from the meeting was the adoption of
the following platform
Whereas, the people as the source OF
all power are entitled to elect United
States senators by their direct vote;
and,
Whereas, in recent years the methods
often employed in the election OF Uni
ted States senators have not only
shown plain omission to ascertain
the consent of the governed" but a
contemptuous disregard of the rights
and interests of the people; and
Whereas. in many States Of the
Union, the agencies of election have |
frequently been controlled by influences
and combination so powerful as to be-
get charges of corruption and dis
trust of the honesty of the choice, thus
discriminating not only the party eau
Gus, but sometimes the whole legisla-
tive body; and
Whereas, In many instances, the
Legislatures, after long contests, have,
wholly failed to choose senators, there
by depriving the States of their repre-
sentetion, and also impairing the III.
tegrity of the Senate; and
Whereas at no period have these de-
plorable conditions been so pronounced |
as they now are in many sections of the
country; and
Whereas such conditions should ney-
er be allowed to obtain foothold in this
Commonwealth.
Now, therefore, we, members of the
Democratic party, assembled in con-
ference, reaffirming our devotion to the
doctrines of the party and our fealty
to its organization, do declare as fol
lows:
l. We earnestly favor an amendment
of the Federal Constitution so that
United States senators shall be elected
by direct vote of the people Of the
several States instead of by the Legis-
latures thereof.
2. In the effort to secure such amend
ment, we invite the cooperation and
assistance, not only of the people OF
Virginia, but the people of other States,
whose welfare is equally involved.
8. Pending the adoption of such con-
stitutional amendment, we favor the
nomination of our party candidates
for the United States Senate by State
primary elections, and we ask the Gen
eral Assemblyfor legislation legalizing
such primaries whenever held.
4. We urgently and respectfully ap-
peal to the State Central Democratic
Committee to provide at once for hold
ing State primary or State conven-
tion for the nomination of Demo-
cratic candidate for the United States
Senate to be voted for by the next Gen
eral Assembly. This appeal shall be
communicated to the chairman of the
Central Committee by the committee
hereinafter mentioned. with the re-
quest that he Immediately convene
the Central Committee tor it's consid-
Grafton.
5. In advance of action by the Cen
tral Committee, or in case it decline TO
act as recommended, we appeal to the
Democratic voters of each legislative
district to nominate no man for the
next General Assembly unless he favors
the principles herein expressed and
pledges himself tosupport for the Uni
ted States Senate candidate who is
the open and unequivocal advocate
ltEerecf. To this end, we urge that the
conference OF the Democratic voters in
each legislative district for United
States Senator be ascertained by par
ty primary in the district, or by some
other equally fair method. The right
of Democrats to resort to such local
action is incOntestable.
In all cases where local action is tax
en- as suggested it will be the duty OF
every Democrat in good faith and in
good spirit to abide the result, what
ever it may be.
We hope and believe that the neces
e sity for local action will be obviatet
e by the action of the State Central Com
mittee hereinbefore requested.
6. We now and here organize