Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-21

FRIDAY, JULY ri, 1899.
THE REAL SENATORIAL ISSUE.

AS far as The Times IS concerned the
political principles contended for by
the candidates respectively are the
same. Both are for free silver, both
are antitrust. both in short stand upon
the Chicago platform, SO that our at
titude is that of a. locker on in Vienna,
as our dissent from these views is IL
possible more pronounced than ever.
We are bound to say, however, that
barring his avowed allegiance to the
Chicago platform, we suspect that the
inward convictions of Senator Martin
upon these questions arc much more
nearly those of The Times than those
OF Governor Tyler. but we have no
right to invade the sacred recesses Of
any mans heart. and we, like the rest
OF the people, will take these candi-
dates upon their avowed principles
Richmond Times.
We concur with the Times in ''sus-
meeting that the inward convictions OF
Senator Martin are much more
nearly those of the Tines than those
of Governor Tyler" the Virginian-Pilot
and the people Of Virginia; and, I'M
fortunately. all that Mr.. Martins
course enables the public (not in his
secret councils) to do. is to suspect
him. Accordingly, it is as "a suspect"
that he has to be regarded, and we do
not think the State OF Virginia can af-
ford to have "a suspect" forced upon
her as one OF her U. S. Senators. Gov
Tyler is in another category entirely.
What strikes us as curious in the
Times. or any other paper, to say the
least, is that 1t puts SO much emphasis
upon those articles in which Mr.. Martin
and Mr. Tyler are supposed or profess
to agree, and utterly ignores, in effect,
the articles of disagreement which
makes them antagonistic candidates in
this important State contest Why is
this? The solution may be simple
enough; but 1t can hardly be logical
or consistent with the proclaimed devo-
tion of the Times to the people and
their representation in the federal
Senate
Let what may be said about it. no
ching Is more plain and obvious than
that 1t was the election of Mr.. Martin
to the Senate over Gen. Fltzltigh Lee
and the manner Of it. that brought
about the Richmond conference and the
movement in Virginia In favor of the
election Of Senator'S by direct vote of
the people. Governor Tyler's present
candidacy, too is a palpable result of
that conference and the new movement
1t Initiated. All this is self-evident.
while 1T is equally manifest that Mr..
Martin is regarded as representing as
definitely all the elements, influences
and forces that combined six years ago
to elect him over Gen. Lee.
THIS Us not lat least avowedly)
struggle of Democrats against Repub,i-
can; nor Of goldmonopoy against free
gold and Tree silver; nor any issue Of,
for, Or against the Democratic plat
FORM of 1895 and Mr.. Bryan. Not at all.
SO far as appears on the surface. The
only real issues, in fact, between tho
two candidates may be truly and sub
stantially stated thus: "1st.-Whom |
does the General Assembly of virginia
represent In choosing u. S. Senator
ekte majority OF the qualified voters uhe
cttizens) of the State, or some masked.
secret and mysterious power not in
unison with the will of the people and
afitagonastic TO popular rights and in
terests? 2d.-Whom does u. 5. Senator
chosen by the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia- representative State and the
majority of Its citizens (the qualified
voters. who In political contemplation
are the people,, or the secret power al
ready alluded to, which works by mys-
terdous ways to accomplish purposes in
s:defsasance Of the popular will?"
Ehose are the question and the Issues,
~ matter by what paraphrases. cum