The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-16
"WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS. 1901.
Who IS for the Primary?

Who IS for the Primary?
S Public opinion III Virginia Is Is Of d SLOW
$ vr,uth but when 1t is once rooted ana
grounded, 1t Is q force that must n Pc
\ rcckoned with. This characteristic OIL OIL
ISNiru,nia people has been striktngly eS I'm
n,,eed in The development Of popular
4 demand for some efficient and wor fttl PIE
primary law The need for X Q 'e'l'i l'',
ii thc method OF nomination was at 1 ~
Sonlv dimly comprehended by the pun'lic,
Isl mi the ever lcssening power OF the IN IN
diydual. funorganzed voter to express his us
i wishes effectively, has made the necessity
IA Tor a radical change apparent 10 even even ti'o
& c.sual wayfarer on the road Of politics 81
AZ f,,.st the bamboozled public, thotts.
FIJI chafing under the restraint Of dlcta e'
d nominations, accepted the glib explana-
ii lions 4 which were cheerfullyl offered y to
lie adventurous auestioners VINO who de-
,nanded better methods for determining
f8the peoples will Those day are now
Sspast. The public will no longer be satis-
3sed with explanations; it demands
q changed methods. and what is more 1t
HI knows what changes are l: a7'r:y
i68S Senator Fulton, Of Warren. summer
y the whole question up when he said
..The failure TO enact primary law Is
timply withholding from the people the
right to legally express their preferences
& for the men they want to serve them
In public Office. a few years ago the
solution proposed By Senator Fulton
Il would have been argued; to-day It Is
II AZ gued on one side and smothered on
n The other. To-day the people OF Virginia
Il know that they do not have the right
4 OF expressing their choice for the men
a thew want In public office. In such way.
i az to make that expression OF choice eff
fective The people are satisfied that
Il ward and precinct mass-meetings are
failures and that primaries without the
81 force of law, to say nothing OF the viva
53syoce method OF voting, are too objec-
tionable to be any real solution for the
dfticulty. The people also know that
there has been persistent and so far
successful attempt on the part OF the per-
sonal adherents of Senator Martin to
prevent the enactment of any satisfac-
tory primary law by the Legislature.
The senator himself dsclaims any
knowledge, Of this attempt and any de-
sire to influence tho action OF his fol-
Il lowers in this matter, but when man
I'll is raised by force Of character or cir
VII cumstances to the position occupied by
Senator Martin. no cannot escape the re-
IS sponslbilities OF leadership or the duties
Of a public servant.
Senator Martin is not and cannot be
H blind to the urgent and widespread de-
mand throughout this State for a prl-
mary law. His acknowledged position as
E 'leader OF a numerous and powerful Coz.
Il ilngent places him under the duty of
Il candid dealings with the Democrats OF
B Virginia.
h To their question: What is your attf-
tude on the primary" t will not do for
the senator to say, ~ will abide By The
ruling OF the Democratic party and
take my chance under the party's plan,
i whatever it may be-" For tho great
unorganized public may we'll answer:
.,Your position and power can largely
determine what the Democratic party ot
Virginia will do. And In order that we
may know how to act for own best In.
ierests. We ask again. Are you per-
4 sonally In favor OF the primary? for he
who is not for 1t. Is against It," #
1t y The issue has reached point which
well makes It incumbent on every public
, official to distinctly and unequiyocall,
declare his position on the primary.
Senator Barksdas has spoken with M
uncertain sound and now the people o.
N Virginia require Of Senator Martina Tx.
declaration-not whether he will abid'
by the ruling Of the Democratic party
hui whether he will lend or withhold hi
aid in giving Virginia such a prlmar.
law as the needs and Intelligence Of tn
people demand.