The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-31
IN FAVOR OF A PRIMARY,

The suggestion that a state pTtltlaiS
be field i'll connection with the regular
May. election TO nominate a candidate for
Governor, and that a bin be passed by
the Legislature to iegaIize the same, is
favoral,iy received by several of the Vir-
ginia papers The Bedford Bulletin is
.'in favor of the primary plan in almost
every instance, as ii gives the people a
direct voice in the matter.
The Blackstone Courier says that it has
ever been an advocate for the primary as
sit is the nearest thing to a popular
election and the best method of getting
the wish OF a majority Of the qual1aed
voters" The Courier see no valid
reason Why the primary plan cannot be
adopted as a means of choosing the noml-
nee for Governor as we'll as for any other
office. No one can deny the fact, ii
says, that to hold such an election at
the regular spring election would bring
out full vote then. and a true verdict
of the people be ascertained- The cost
of such an election would be reduced to
the minimum as the friends of the diff
iSitlit Nouiu SoiNht'e 49, -
judges ana clerks, and in many instances
without cost TO the candidates
The greatest argument in favor of the
primary is that, under existing conditions
in Virginia Democratic nomination. is
equivalent 10 an election. After NE nomi-
nation shall have been made the Demo
Gratis will put aside their differences and
support the nominee, and even should the
Republicans put up a nominee, winch IS
hardly probable, the opposition would
amount to a little Ward meetings and
cross roads conventions do not give the
general public the opportunity OF express
ing their choice between candidates.
These conventions are too often held, es-
pecially in the country districts, at an
inopportune time or at some out Of the
way place. and for reasons sufficient to
themselves many voters will not attend
them And so it frequently happens,
under that system. that the people have
very little voice III the action of the meet
ing, and the politicians have it all their
own way.
All tl1lS CcuIi Dc ItiiiSdiSNA ~ 10 '--io
primaries throughout the St2t=, so that
each and every Democratic voter could
go TO the polls, prepare his ballot IN the
secrecy of the booth. and cast 1t for the
candidate most acceptable TO him, with
ont proclaiming from the house-top how
he had voted. In this way the Demo-
cratic voters would be given ample cp-
Dortunity to decide between the several
candidates, and if they should fan to take
advantage Of the opportunity it would be
their own fault. In a Democratic govern
1nent the, peoplc are supposed TO rule,
and the fundamental principles OF Demo
cracy are violated when the voice OF the
people is~stf.ed and when politicians. by
hook and by crook, manage to defeat the
VIII of the people
The people of this country can be trust
ed. and so long as our elections are con-
Quoted in such way as 10 give express
sion to the public will, there IS no danger
that our institutions VIII suffer Let The
7,eople OF Virginia vote in a primary cleo
ton on the question as to who STALL be
the next Governor of the State, and no
mistake will be made Moreover, it would
be a source of qualification to the sue
cessfui man, we should think, to know
that he had been chosen by popular vote,
and 10 matter who The choice OF me
people should be, the defeated candidates
could have 40 lusl ground OF comp 4, Il,
and there would be no sores to heal. 1t
is manifestly, therefore in the interest of
the people, in the interest of party har-
monv. as well as in the -+aterest of the
State at large, ttlat such primary be
held, and a great mistake will be made II
the primary plan is not adopted.
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