The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-12
9IiI7I87If- 709'IIg 2. -, ~,
THE PRIMARY PLAN.

THE PRIMARY PLAN.
In the letter Of Mr.. camm Pattesoo 1l
nnh,,shed a few weeks ago, That gentle
man intimated that Senator Martin was
notPin favor of the primary elective sys-
fem. Other friends of Mr.. Martin SAID
4hat he was, and thus some discussion
arose on that point. Thereupon' me
4 rimes-Dispatch suggested that the scnh-
tor should speak for himself, and he has
now done so.
In an interview with, a reporter OF THIS
M ner on Thursday, Mr.. Martin SAID that
\ 90 far as lie was personally concerned
ha was not antagonlzing the primary sSs-
tenn and had no desire aF to see y an'aso'.-
lied. He Thought experience would detef-
a s,ns vS wen} g %Srsnelea ~ continuing
tie plan 'as,!tt 81 and added Il am
perfectly satisfied to submit my political al
fortunes to the people Of Virginia unuer
the existing plan or under any other plan
that may at any time be provided py
1hc party in the State.
The hint OF Mr. Martin that the present
&, plan may need some amendment meets
The view Of a great many people WHO
have watched It's operation during ms
campn,gn. 1t is very doubtful indeed
whcther the viva voce method Of voting
y Is satisfactory in local elections at least t's
The smaller the office the more cahdi-
eatcs there are for 1t, and wherever
that Is the case the average citizen is
more or less embarrassed In coming out
and voting between his neGhbors.
But the Democrats Of Virginia are 70
hold a State convention next year. ana IN
tho election Of delegates thereto 1t VIII
be convenient and proper for voters 70
instruct their representatives ION this
point, and on hany other one OF lmpor-
tance where ethere IS a difference OF opin-
~ ion.
some of tho wisest men In the party
In this State favor giving to county ane
CITY committees the widest latitude IN de-
+ermining the method Of voting. They
think 1t would suffice for the State con
ycntion to indicate the method for con
~ gressional and State primaries and leav'
the rest to the determination OF the loca
authorities. ="
The convention which met at Norfolk
and nominated Governor Montague dc
clarea in favor Of the primary system
but 1t did not require" viva voce voting
Ytp,eft that matter to tho decision OF tn
state committee, and, We suppose. In vie'
ma
frauds In the count, the commltte
adopted the viva voce plan, but only by
close vote. Under that plan 1t Is we
nigh impossible to miscount. but there 81
other objections to it, which this pape
has time and again pointed ont.
In view of the declaration just n.a'
nv Mr.. Martin and the position said to !
Is held by the other aspirants fol. the sem
torship, and In view Of the widespre;
popularity Of the primary system In W
III GINA, 1t seems that the Legislature ouGl
not to delay longer the enactment OF
general primary election law.
Observe that a primary election law
ono thing and the Barksdale pure Gle
ton law Is another
The primary election law ought TO
substantially what the regular elccti
n law is. In other words, 1t ought not
he any more permissible for n voter
commit a fraud In a primary than In
regular election. AS a matter OF fact,
effectiveness OF fraud committed II
primary election is far, greater than
committed in regular election, we si'
not 20 into further details OF ms au
tion now The Legislature assemb
n in adjourned session on the l"th day
November and II will then have the DC
fit of the experience gained dlrlng
Il campaign. and will, we hope, proceed
enact simple and salutary Il
which will govern every primary OF G.
and every party in Virginia.
ii AS to the Barksdale law, that sho
be amended where experience has sho
its faults and weaknesses.
The primary election system Is exte
ing Louisiana Is the last State to ad
IT. A Governor and other state onic
are - he voted for there next April,
a Legislature Is TO be then chosen wi
@ will elect United States Senator.
Its meeting last week the Democr
State Committee decided unanimously
dispense with the customary State I
yention this year and to order in
stead primary at WHICH nominees
stats officers and for the United st
s4sx.stshIS Sis ~ ~ lhpsv', by pop