The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-17
call anfm-namely the Constitutional Con-


Tention.
This Is one reform which twill re-
quire something In the nature of a po-s
Etical revolution to keep from bursting
upon the Democratic party in Virginia
IN the next few years land it is pri-
mary election system to nominate can
didates for all offices from the United
States Senate down. Its bitterest oppo-
nents are willing to concede that it would
have been inaugurated by the Roanoke
Convention in 1897 had it not been for
the peculiar conditions that prevailed
when the vote wastaken in the dying
hours of the convention, and they also
admit that it will surely come i'll some
form or other in the near future.
The Committee on Privileges and Eec-5
tons deliberated long while before
they could reach an agreement on this
report on the Folkes bill some days ago,
several Of the members being spoken in
their advocacy, and nea1ly all admitting
that it was a question that was liable
TO give much trouble. They finally re-
commended that it be not considered at
the extra session on the ground that it
would cause prolonged discussion, and
that in no event would the Senate take
it up for the reason that it was "gener-
eral legislation" Mr.. Folkes, in his
speech before the committee, stated
what is believed by many to be true,
that IS per cent. Of the people of the
State demanded that such a bill be pass
ed, as they desired that there should be
a fairer method of choosing candidates
for the high Offices of the State. The is
sue is not dead, and whether it shall be
fought out in parry convention, in the
Legislature or the Constitutional Con-
vention, it is the belief of many of the
ablest party leaders in the State that it
will triumph at no distant day.
Hon. w. II. Lewis, the noater delegate
from Fauquier and Loudour, has made
himself fan Gus by Introducing 1T the sN-
ira session of the Legislature a bill pro-
h5biting members of the General Assem-
bly, from becoming candidates for positions
within the gift of that body.
There has been a demand for such a
measure for years, but no member ever
had the temerity to present it, until Mr.
Lewis came on the scene. He has bGsn
showered with congratulations by his
colleagues and public men in different
sections of the State, and he believes
that the bill would have become law
had general legislation been considered.
Mr.. Lewis contends that it is manifest
ay unfair for men to be permitted, while
members of the Legislature, to stand for
positions TO be chosen by his colleagues,
on the ground that 1T places other men.
equally well qualified, at an Immense dis
advantage and tends ito break down the
Democratic doctrine OF equal rights to
all and exclusive privileges Ito none"
Unless the Constitutional Convention shall
remedy the evil, Mr.. Lewis thinks his bill
will be passed by the neat session of tha
Legislature.
The many friends of Hon. Thomas N.
Jones, of Isle of Wight county, will be
panied to learn that he is seriously con-
templating retirement from public life
at the end of his present term in the
House and not being a candidate for the
Legislature this fall.
Mr.. Jones has served his people faith
fully for two terms, and besides giving
great satisfaction at home. has become
one of the most popular of all the House
members. There is no man in either
branch Of the General Assembly who has
more friends than Mr.. Jones, and there
are none who are more ready at all times
to do a friendly turn for his colleag CUES.
He lis a great favorite with the news
paper men. and viii go as far as any man
in Virginia 10 make their "yokess easy
and their burdsns light 1t is the ardent
wish of his friends that he may reconsid-
er his determine ton and return to the
House and continue his usefulness as a
representative.