Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-18
THU RSDAY. ......,. MAY 18, 1899.
couv,yrEr AND CONVENTION.

The following we quote from the edito-
r,al Columns of the charlottesville Iio-
gross:
"rhe State Committee, under the plan
of organization can act only in Obcdi-
ence TO the declarations and policy of the
part As the same shall be set forth by
The State convention The Dispatch ad-
mits that the committee has no legisia-
tive power, and agrees with the Progress
that il would transcend its power should
it order a State primary as requested by
The May conference. We do not doUDt
that the State Committee could call
Democratic convention for the purpose
of discussing party questions, hut if II
has not the power to order primary 10
nominate IA senator we fail To see how it
can possess the power TO call a conVen-
tion To nominate a senator. The Roanoke
convention decided nothing If il did not
decide that the present method of cleo
ton by the Legislature was to be cOntin-
ued. The question was between pri-
mary and the old plan. and the votes in
dicated a preference for the latter. Now,
has the State Committee. or any other
body short of a regular Democratic State
convention. the authority To say that the
Democratic voters in Virginia prefer
dominating q senator by a convention to
the old home rule plan now in force?
We think not
That our state Committee will be con-
sened by its chairman to consider any
petition that may be presented by the
gentlemen faVoring reform in the nomi-
nation and election of senators, we have
slways taken for granted.
And we have several times said there
ought to be no question about the COM
mittees right to decide whether there
shall or Shall not be a State convention.
Me cannot see how the State Committee
could hold with the Progress that the
Roanoke conventions action was conclu-
sive of this question. So far from de-
claring itself in favor Of sticking to an
Client landmarks. the Roanoke convention
landmarks when it passed the following
resolution:
1--WE cordially and heartily endorse the
course of our beloved and distinguished
senator, John w Daniel, in the United
States Senate AND WILL OPPOSE ANY
CANDIDATE for the Legislature ant
Senate of Virginia who is not in favor Of
his nomination.
plimentary resolution! Complimentary
indeed. What Virginian is there whC
would not like to have such substantial
compliment? -.,.
That resolution tied the hands OF ever,
Democratic nominee. 1t put out of tn,
pale Of our nominations every candidat,
who desired 10 80 TO the Legislature un
committed But, says the Progress /
MAS well known that Major Daniel woul,
have no opposition, and the resolution
while clearly out of order IN convention
called for another purpose, was passed a
a test of the high esteem in which he wa
4leld."
The Progress and the Dispatch do no
differ in opinion as TO the high esteem ii
which Senator Daniel is held. There w
are at one But as to the objection tina
the resolution was "Out of order" ii i
sufficient TO say the presiding officer o
abe Roanoke convention took a contrar
view from that of the Progress In IN
next place, the convention must be pre-
eumcd TO have known its own mind. /
Thought 1t timely, wise, and judicious /
declare that I'VE will oppose any candi
date for the General Assembly who is no
in favor of his Daniers) nomination.
and. therefore, we must presume il ap
0rehended that Daniel might have som
Opposition.
In brief. the same intelligent, prudential
and patriotic body of men that declare
sagainst State primary election depart
ed from the ancient landmarks OF IN
Democratic party in Virginia, and with
out any hesitation or reservation name
the party's nominee for the Senate!
The opponents of State conyentio
who take the ground that TO call a stat
convention now would be unwise or i'm
prudent may occupy tenable grounS
though they differ with US; not So W
think, those who assert that the Roanok
convention has already decided this cues
tion. The former are not confronted wit
any such far-reaching resolution as wa
passed by the Roanoke convention. The
would have no such record 10 explain.
would be SUFFICIENT for them to say. "W
think 1t would not be we'll 10 have a stat
convention at this time" .
IL our State Committee should call
State convention we presume It would b
ret forth IN scall that 1t was 10 cor
sider ell matters pertaining 10 the seps
torship. Al any rate, once called int
being. the state convention would ha,