The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-07
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY <. lso4..
Views Of c Committeeman.

Views Of Committeeman.
The Times-Dispatch has endeavored to
,o,, the members OF the State Central
/, Committee in order to ascertain their
il views on the subject Of primary eiec'lons
In general and the Machen primary OH
u IN particular. Unfortunately most OF the
members failed to comply with our re-
RI uucst as promptly as We wished ou'
Il several OF them have done SO anu thelr
v,aws are printed in another column.
REPRESENTATIVE William A. Jones has
no hesitation in saying that In his opiin-
lon the primary election principle IS very
& renerally favored by the Democrats IN !
This section OF the State, and no says fur-
tier that he has no particle Of doubt
Inf that the Democratic masses tno'
roughly endorse and approve the resoiu-
tion of the Norfolk Convention which
u commits the party to the primary sys-
3SSf ram 8 nor does he believe that those VINO
5S are opposed to the system are sutilclene.
q In number or bold enough to attempt l .s
abrogation in the next convention. ME- ME-.
Jones fayors the. retention of the viva
v,ce system of voting, but thinks It
could be the part OF wisdom for the next
q state convention SO to modify the party
n,on MS to leave to the local authorities
the right to adopt either the viva Yoce or
@ the ballot system in the NOMINATION o
Il county and municipal officers and mem
i hers of the General Assembly. He Is IN
n ! borough sympathy with the spirit of the
hIachen bill, but feels that its passage
% would bring about a condition OF affairs
5&s IN Virginia which would result IN the
8 destruction of tho primary system.
s would not ono Of It's first fruits" he
I'll asks. "be to precpitate q bitter con-
III test over the selection of members OF the
IN state Central Committee, to which IS
given uutocratic authority?" He does not
rs discuss the various features Of the bill,
but expresses the earnest hope that II
S the LEGISLATURE shall see fit to enact some
g such measure, it will provide therein
that the voter may be enabled to ex-
press his choice of candidates according
to his own free will and judgment, direct
~. and not through any intermediary,
whereas the Machen bill leaves 1t discre-
tionary with the committee either to or
der primary election to nominate can
tSdatcs or to select delegates to q
convention which shall nominate candi-
dates.
Mr. John S. Patton, of Charlottesville
is in favor of the, primary election prin.
cIple and approves much of the Macher
bill. but thinks that it should be changed
in some OF its details.
Mr.. j. w. Fowkes, of Sunny Side say.
that most of the voters in his section arr
opposed to the viva voce system OF vot
ing, but are in favor Of the Machcn bill
.. He also favors the bill.
State Senator William r. Bnrksdale
of Halifax. Is opposed to the whole pri
mary system. and believes that If con
tinued 1t Will eventually disrupt the Dem
ocratic party.
Mr.. Sidney Shelton, OF Chrstiansburg
says that tho voters In his section ar
almost unanimously In opposition to til
primary plan rs adopted by the Stat
Committee and he does not think tina
the Alternative features OF the~Machc
bill will meet all objections. He is or
posed to he primary system Of select
Ing candidates, save that OF the Unite
States senator.
Mr.. G. L. Booth OF Alexandria, say
that his people are opposed to the Wv
yoce system Of voting. but he is niue
~ = pleased with the Machen bill. and think
that with some slight changes 1t woul
make an admirable law.
Mr.. r. L. Gordon. OF Louisa, Is in fave
of the primary election principle. ar
would be sorry to see anything dor
# which would give its enemies an adyal
tage. He is opposed. however. to Il
Machen bill because. in his opinion,
undertakes the impossible.
Mr.. Irving P, Whitehead, of Lynchbur
likes the present primary plan OF Il
as Democratic party, and thinks 1t would
unwise to take any radical steps In L
@ way Of a change until the party sh;
have spoken through It's next Sta
convention. But II the viva voce sys,e
IL 10 be abandoned, and we are to Ia
I a general primary law, he thinks tn
The Machcn bill will be about as good
any that he has seen.
These expressions go to confirm c
view that If the General Assembly shol
at this time enact any radical prma
law. IT would do the cause more ha
than good,
84E E==----------
The Right Thing
sss ,,ha watt Howard situation Is now