Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-07-12

Martins opposition TO the primary
are rs follows: The famous May
conference was held in this city in
May, 1899. The junior senator
took no part in it, although its
avOwed purpose was to provide
for and secure a primary election
for the Office which he then held
and to which he was seeking re-
election, as we'll as for all State
officers, who are, or should be
elected by the people. He, along
with all other Democrats, was in
vitcd to participate but declined to
do 50. Governor Montague, then
encouragement, took an active
part in the proceedings, as did
Major William 4. Anderson. our
present Encouragement.
The day following the city pri-
mary, Mr.. Martin gave out an
interview, on July %, 1899, quoted
below. The Mr.. Jones he refers
TO Is Hon. William \. Jones, con-
gresham from the First district,
who has always tried To have all
nominations made by primary in
side the Democratic party, and had
criticised Mr.. Martin in his Man
chester speech, for Mr.. Martin $
opposition to the principle. The
interview referred to is as follows:
Mr.. Jones also stated that l
had told him that l was opposed
ON principle to the election of sem
ators by the people. Mr.. Jones is
mistaken about this. never had
any conversation with him on the
subject At the Roanoke conven-
ton | had a conversation with him
IN respect to the resolutions he
offered there providing for Dem
ocratlc primary election for the
nomination of candidate for the
senate. | told him | was opposed
To those resolutions. The matter
of electing senator's by popular
vote, under a constitutional amend
ment making provision therefor.
has never been a subject of discus
sion between Mr.. Jones and nv
self. | shall vote for such an
amendment to the constitution. :"
Interview of Thomas :. Martin in
the Richmond Times of July %.
1899.
1t Is very important to note that
MIR. Martin said Il shall vote for
such an amendment to the consti-
tuition" This public statement
was made before the legislature of
lS99-1900, which reelected him TO
the term which he is now serving
out. assembled.
In the general assembly l intro
duced the subject into the house
on March ,, 1900. / quote from
the record:
Mr.. Patteson offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
BE it resolved (the Senate con-
curring) That Hon. John w. Dan
lei and Hon. Thomas :. Martin be
and they are hereby, requested to
use their best efforts to secure an
amendment to the constitution of
the United States providing for
the election of United States sena-
tors by direct vote of the people.
>. This resolution shall take
effect from its passage.
Which motion was agreed to.
Ordered that Mr.. Patterson
carry the resolution to the senate
and request their concurrence"
There were many members who
were opposed to it, who were
friends of Mr.. Martin, but no re-
corded vote was called for in the
house. See Journal house of Del
egates, session 1S99-19OO, page 591.
When it reached the senate. which
it did on the same day, the resolu-
ton was taken up by the following
vote:
Ayes - Messrs. Barksdale.
Blakey, Bruce, Clayton, Cogbill, |
Dinwiddie, Donohoe, Harvey. |
James, johnson, Keezell, LYLE, |
Mann Massie, McIlwaine, Stands. |
st. Clair, Tyler, Walker, Wallace. |
Watkins and Whitehead-22.
"Noes-Messrs. Foster. Glass.
iold, Jetfries, Morris and Wick
lam-6.
The resolution, after being dis
;ussed, was, on motion of Mr..
Nlckham, passed by" Senate
Journal, session 1S99-19OO; pages
'l5-616. This was at the morning
session. At the evening session of
no sonata fbo ,.o,,I....