The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-22
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 1904
Party Regularity.

Il rrh. Portsmouth STAR IN dlscuss'hs '"o
.4,.,,s ~ tho Norfolk county delegates
4 tho General Assembly, says IN SUD
.t,noe that it comes In bad grace TOT
\ ~ Tin s-Dispatch to advocate the ex-
} cius,on of these delegates from tne pe"-
ocratic caucus on the score OF ool''is'
In sn,,,ch as Tho Richmond Times re-
t,.ad - support Mr. Bryan FOR the
4 presidency in 1885,
wa cannot see what the attitude 81
( rho Richmond Times has to do with
tho discussion. We have been alscuss'"e
. question of party rules ana party ies-
ularity. A man has perfect r's''' -
holt the party when he chooses TO 40
80. A man has perfect r'eht " :"
as an independent candidate, ana tnere
oro lines when he is entirely justifiapie
IN SO doing. But when he Goes ooi' any.
defies the highest party authority anu
rms as an independent ana cohso'es
\ MIN wh,te Republicans and negroes ana
secures his election through the COM
Mined votes Of fusion Democrats ana ~
son Republicans and negroes. we 90 not
see upon what ground that man ca'
come and ask for admittance INTO the
q councils of any Democratic orsallza-
zion II a man Is elected as Demo-
4 cratl as the regular Democratic NOMINEES,
!. has the right of entire into q Demo
IL caucus, but If he is elected as an
\ independent in opposition to the regular
5Dcmocratic nominee, he has no sucn
4 right
There is no parallel between the case
Of The Richmond Times and the case
a. or tho delegates from Norfolk county.
81 Tho Richmond Times was no candidate
for office. and when It assumed an IN
dependent position in 1886 1t did not
come around afterwards and ask Tor
recognition by the regular Democratic
organization. 1t did not ask to be re-
cognized as the party organ IN Nir-
ginia.
But Messrs. Owens and Paker, the dele
gates from Norfolk occupy different
position. The State Central Committee
recognized Mr.. Jones as the chairman
OF the Norfolk County Committee. but
"a IN spite of that fact, the chairman OF
tho minority committee faction called
Il primary. and an independent primary
was held, Notwithstanding the fact tina,
s Chairman Jones called a regular Demo
cratic primary, !. which was also held
The independents nominated ticket
headed by Messrs Owens and Parker
ana the Straightouts also held a con
u,,th IF
Ri Committee, and nominated regular
e Democratic ticket. On the day OF cleo
u ton the independents took down three
z of their own nominees and substituted
& three Republican office holders, and cir
~ culated notification cards advising voter
q tn vote the mixed ticket. The Straight
# outs, on the other hand. issued notifl
I'D cation cards advising Democrats to vot
SS the straight Democratic ticket. But b
the combined vote of Republicans, ne
groes and fusion Democrats. the nike
VI ticket was elected over the regular Den
ocratic ticket, and Alessrs. Owens an
Parker in this way secured their seat
In the House of Delegates.
M In view of these facts. In view Of u
fact that they were nominated IN d.
finance of .ue highest party authorit
in view OF the fact that they ran again
the regular Democratic nominees; In vie
OF the fact that they were elected
large part by Republican votes; in vie
20! the fact that they were elected ;
X fusionists, rs independents. rs dellal
oppostionsts. VIC do not see upon VIII
ground they can claim recognition IN
Democratic caucus. and we do not S
gu pon what ground n Democratic cauc
IL can give them such recognition.