The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-12
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY ~, 1908.
In THE INTEREST OF DEMO
lss FHCRACY,

"a i s r F ~
We are pleased to see that the Roam
oke Evening World, ono OF the most
fearless and thoughtful papers In the
State has come out In strong and SEN
sible article In favor Of a legallzed prin.
airy. Our contemporary says that tho
fact that here and there in the State
may be found opposition to tho exist
ing primary plan. before 1t has had the
benefit of fair experiment cannot be
5 too earnestly deprecated and regretted.
and 1t fears that ANY movement look
ing to Its repeal would be accepted rs
(. Indicating distrust Of the rank and
file Of the party among certain. party
leaders who have long been the bene-
ficiaries of the old method OF nominat-
ing and a desire on their part to return
to the courthouse convention plan-so
easy OF manipulation and direction by
political bosses All of which can
only operate most injuriously to the
Democratic party. The Evening World
then reproduces some remarks Of ours
on this subject, in which we called at
tention to the declaration OF the last
State Democratic Convention on the
subject OF party primaries and legalized
primaries md In which we also directed
attention to Section Sc OF Article II OF
the new Constitution, which commands
the Legislature ito enact such laws as
are necessary and proper for the pur-.
pose OF securing the regularity and pur-
ty Of general, local and primary elections
and preventing and Furnishing any cor
rupt practices in connection Herewith"
Our contemporary adds this comment:
To our mind the Times Dispatch re-
minds the Legislature Of a duty whose
performance has already been too long
delayed. Its Democratic members were
!, elected upon the Norfolk. 1902, platform,
which contained what practically amount
ed to a party pledge upon the subject,
and 1t ought not to be necessary to re-
mind them that in good faith to the
people that pledge should be observed
by legalizing the primary. They were
also elected upon the idea and for the
purpose of enacting laws to give effect
and meaning to the provisions Of tho
new Constitution, among which none
stands out in clearer language than. the
legal institution Of primary system
Z a'Au s'S piSsSiNippH ltS i
IS up to the Democrats in the Legisla-
surc to meet and discharge this 'bounden
1utE' or to dodge and evade 1t. The
Issue is clear-cut and well defined
II Democracy means anything, 1t
means the rule Of the people. but the
people cannot rule unless there be in
our elections, primary and general, free
course as to the expression Of the popu-
lar will All manner Of corruption and
bribery, all sorts OF manipulation, all
sorts of schemes which in any way tend
to prevent the voters from expressing
themselves fully and freely at the polls
tend to undermine pure Democracy and
popular government. OF course. we
believe In party organization. In any
close contests. In any situation where
there is formidable opposition, the Demo-
cratic party must organize its forces
and make, z systematic fight. But when
Organization. tends toward manipulation:
when the design and effect of it are to
prevent free expression of the people at
the polls, organization Is to be deplored
and discouraged to that extent we
and good judgment and good morals of
the people of Virginia We do not fear
: so long as the people take keen in
terest in public affairs and vote their
sentiments freely. The danger comes
when the people are Indifferent, or when
through any sort Of machine methods
the people are restrained and their
Wishes defeated.
Let us have tho primary PLAN let us
have the legalized primary; let us pre-
vent the use of money in all elections;
let US have law to punish all manner
OF eyil-doing in the CONDUCT of our cleo
tons. Given these conditions ana Demo-
cracy will have fun sway in Virginia
md shed its benefits abroad
=-=----==-=
Heightened FLOGGlNG.