Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-25
The Virginia Senatorial plan.


The action of the conference of repre-
sentative Virginia Democrats held at
Richmond on Wednesday to promote the
cause of the election Of senator's by pop
ular vote is looked upon by the Philadel-
phia Press as "the most significant step
taken in this direction by any State"
The resolutions adopted by the confer
ence favor an amendment 10 the Const-
tuition of the United States providing for
the election of senators by the direct vote
Of the people; pending the adoption OF
such an amendment, the Legislature oil
Virginia il asked TO legaliZe primary
elections for the nomination OF candl-
dates for United States senator; but as
thfs cannot ba done before the next cleo
ton of senator the Democratic state
Central Committee is asked 10 provide Tor
the calling of a State convention or the
holding of a party primary for the nomi-
nation Of a Democratic candidate for the
United States Senate who will be voted
for by the nextLegislature. If this move
ment in Virginia should meet with sue
cess, IT, is not improbable in view of the
WIDESPREAD interest now taken in the SUBJ
iect that other States will act upon the
same lines. and that, in default OF an
amendment TO the Constitution, the prac-
tice of virtual selection of the senatorial
candidates Of the chief parties in advance
of the election Of the legislatures will be-
come prevalent in a considerable portion
OF the Union.
BUT while this would make the selec-
ton of senators more like a choice by
the people than does the existing method,
we cannot agree with the Press in the
statement that 1t virtually accOmplishes
what the advocates OF a change de-
mand." Ii would, indeed, in all prob
ability put an end TO the danger Of dead
locks except in highly unusual situa-
tions), and it would also give the people
something of a chance 10 pronounce upon
the merits of senatorial candidates. But
there would still remain the avoidable
evil of the impossibility Of separating the
choice OF legisiaturemen from the cleo
tion of United States senator's. There
is no good reason why the people should
be compelled TO settle by one act both
of these questions, upon which. taken
separately, there would often be the
strongest reasons for acting in opposite
directions member OF the Legisla-
ture has important duties to perform IN
relation 10 the State. His qualifications
for these duties and his attitude upon
the questions arising in connection with
them have no c -nection whatever
with his luncnpllH ds tltClOT Ol q
senator, whether he be a free-acting
.eiector. as at present, or mere carrier
OF vote as under the arrangement pro
posed i'm Virginia. The tying up of the
two things is a complication which acts
iniuriously in reference TO both Of them.
The dignity OF the Legislature would be
increased II its election were not looked
upon so largely as mere move in the
senatorial game, and the wholesomeness
of the senatorial contest would be in
creased IL It were made a, straight contest
unconnected with the choice OF a State
LEGISLATURE. The temporary policy advo-
Gated by the Virginians-which Is In line
with what has been done, less formally,
In other States-is. however. a move in
the right direction, and II 1t be adopted
and work successfully In a number OF
states IT will be "a strong influence toward
the adoption of a constitutional amend
ment for the entire separation Of the cleo
ton of senators from the election OF
| legislatures.