The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-07
Mr.. John S. Patton, Seventh Dis
trict.

u . Is *. ls
Replying to your inquiries. January SOth:
"a l think the people Of this section
unuuestlonably favor the primary plan
Of nom.natlon for public offices Ihis
method has been resorted to In this CITY
for mary years, and has been abandoned
for one election only since 1t was lnstl:
tuted, probably twenty years ago, and
then with results $50 unsatisfactory that
the primary has since become n fixed
policy The county party authorities, APP
parently influenced by the experience OF
the party in the city, have used this
method, and rcsorted to it for the selec-
ton Of county officers in 1903. A vlgo-
rous effort by the minority to overthrow
its results met with discontinue before
the local and the State committees. and
overwhelming defeat at the polls
to) | have read with much care the
Machen primary bill, with lively APP
probation OF the difficulty Of framing
satisfactory measure Much or II
approve Some of It's Details 1t seems
to nc, should be changed. For instance
notice by hand bills, properly posted, as
well as by newspaper publication should
be allowed as in some cases this would
| be more effective and less expensive.
| From sunrise to sunset is much longer
| than necessary for a primary at country
| precincts, and some option should De
| given the local committeesto nDl1dge this
| period. Such step would be in the inter-
| est OF economy and better election Oils
| GERS, since ut many precincts men who
| would not serve at all for pay "oud
| offlciate for the necessary length OF time
us n party service.
One of the dangers OF q primary law
| Is that it may impose or permit financial
burdens which will close tho avenue tC
| public honors to al save the wealthy
| But this Is not II necessary condition; the
| law itself should be Il safeguard instead
| of a barrier. If the way is left open
the voluntary and unpaid service OF men
Z, OF the highest character will meet al
need for officers at important State prl'
maries.
Again, as the returns are to be sub.
| mittcd to the custody OF tho clerk OF
the Circuit Court OF tho county, or Of
| the Corporation or Of the Hastings Courl
of the city. to await notice OF contest. u
| one IL 10 be made, | should want some
| punishment provided for such clerks aS
should be found guilty Of q violation OF
the trust rcposed in them. 1t Will not bf
commended that u dishonest custodian
could not open and falsify the returns.
Section 10 makes 1t possible for the loca
committee or body having charge OF VIC
| election 10 auopt Iuics Mi'S" "''t'
hermit tho destruction of the good end!
| for which Mr.. Machcn is striving through
the medium of his bill. 1T seems to mi
that the qualifications for voters In tlles'
primaries could be defined by no stat
/ Committee and inserted In the Dill, an'
then party Issues would be submitted 4
| tho Same test and the same kind or cleo
toratc throughout the state.
ca Democratic nomination In Virginl;
has in most cases the force of election
Every safeguard, therefore, should D.
thrown around our primary elections ans
they should have all tho formal dlgnit.
which the State can confer upon them
Management by the local party nuihofl
ties could not bcstow this dignity, an
might be such AZ to remove most claim
I to respect.
Very truly yours,
JOHN $. PATTON.
Charlottesville Va. Feb, A, 1904