The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30

party on an great questions. II" mummy
should always submit 10 the Will OF the
majority ! believe that conference OF
Democrats has a perfect right 10 ADOPT
such measures as will tend 10 change the
position Of the party on any quesuoh'
about which IL has expressed useli az
previous convention. but I do not believe
that any set Of men claiming 70 be Demo-
Gratis has a right 10 so 10 state conVen-
ton. make a fight for a Senatorial prim-
airy plan and after being defeated, set 10
work TO have conference only az men
who believe I'm this measure and attempt
10 thrust on the party plan of elecNng
our next United States Senator which
was rejected by the Democratic party IN
convention assembled az Roanoke. II TINS
rs not the object. why have the conference
az an? Why not walt till the state con-
ventiOn OF 1900 10 decide this question!
II the leaders Of this movement propose
to disregard the action of the Roanoke
convention and seek 20 get what they
want by q one-sded and one idea confer
ence. it will Inevitably result IN division
81 the Democratic party Into factions.
A. the stanton and Chicago conventions
OF 1898 / was IN the minority. but when
we were beaten accepted tho verdict Of
majority of the party Hon. ". \.
Jones was one OF the leaders of tho ma
iority sentiment ~ these TWO conventions.
II a majority had = right 10 decide the
position NJ the party on leading questions
Jon 1906 why did II not have a right I'm
1892 Well might ! claim ~ some ~ the
leaders 81 this Nav conference as well a.
OF the leading party organs. consistency,
thou art a jewel"
shall NOT go 20 the May conference he
cause / do not 90 whore 7 am not wanted.
+ trust every Democrat who fought the
Senatorial primary plan at Roanoke will
stay away from this conference. The
callers Of tho May conference seem even
afraid to trust the Democratic party on
this question. They tried tho party az
Roanoke and remember the fate OF their
pet measure in one Of the most represent
tative Democratic conventions ever as
sembed I'm this state This time they
only want men who think as they think,
and l predict On advance the Senatorial
primary plan will be adopted by the May
conference
cannot speak for the many distin-
guished men who opposed tho Senatorial
primary plan al Roanoke. but can speak
for myself / not only deemed the meas
ure very inexpedient and unwiso but ]
also am opposed 10 Il from principle The
greatest political curse of the State of
Virginia to-day is so many elections and
/ am opposed 20 more unless absolutely
necessary for the good OF the people.
Elections take up time. cause waste ot
money. disturb business. and cause hard
feelings between neighbors and neighbors
and friends and friends. They are
necessary evil but should not be too fire.
Quent.
The idea that We who oppose any
change in the method Of clectIng United
States Senators distrust the people Is too
weak 10 notice but for the fact that this
, is the leading argument OF thOse-propOs-
ing change. Did our forefathers dis
trust the people when they provided FOR
election Of Senators as az present. Did
our fore'athers distrust the people when
they provided for tho appointment ~
Judges instead Of eiectinS them by the
peonie2 / believe the people OF any coun-
~ or city have the capacity 10 elect a man
who will represent them on the question
Of electing a Senator or on any other
question The friends NJ the May confer
ence do not. / believe that any representa-
tive from county or city. on account Of
the respons ibility 10 that county or city
and the confidence OF its people. will re-
spcot their wishes as 10 tho Senator. X
they express them IS the local authorities
may deem best much quicker than he
would the State az large 10 which he Is
not responsible. The friends Of the May
conference do not. What are we 60 say
10 the men who profess the most flaming
zeal for Republican government. yet bold
~ impeach the fundamental principle or
~ Who pretend 70 bo champions for the
right and capacity Of the people 20 choose
their own rulers. yet maintain that they
will preser those only who Will immediate
49, frffg .
led 10 thsm?" (Federalist No. LVl)
The proposition 70 elect Senators By a
direct vote OF the people is a departure
from ancient landmarks. believe that
orr forefathers were wiser than they
knew do not believe that we have out
lived our present constitution | believe
we should be slow 70 amend the consti-
tuition General Washington IN his fare
well address 20 the people or the United
States outlined some 81 tho dangers
ahead lie cautioned the people that X
they would preserve our government
they must "resist with care the spirit Of
innovation upon rs principles. however
speclOus the pretext." He advised them
To be slow In changing the constitution
10 use experience AZ the guide and not
act on snppositons.
I oppose the election OF Senators by the
tioal platform OF tho Peoples party In
lsgs says: "We demand the election Of
President. Vice-Presdent and United
States Senators by direct vote % the
neople" n also saws we favor a svs-
tenn OF direct legislation through the
Initiative and referendum under proper
constitutional safeguards" Whether in
the majority or minority. whether poou-
lar or unpopular. I am one OF those VINO
believe that the Democratic party. both
IN this State and nation. has gone far
enough towards the Ponulist party. am
glad 10 see the Popullsts support thu
Democratic party and Welcome them
hack hu, do nor believe Vat 40 should
IL. IN. ,au vax the tog. The reasoning
,hat IS reing used ~ tire supporters -
election ~ Senators by = direct vote OF
the people can also be used IN equal force
with reference 70 the Initiative and refer
endum. II the Democratic party favors
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