The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-22

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WEDNESDAY. JULY 90, 1908.
DOES A CONVENTION MAJORITY
MEAN. "A POPULAR MAJORITfs
Taking issue with some recent OBJ
servations of The Times-Dispatch anent
the primary, the Norfolk Ledger-Dis-
patch says:
A convention does imply most as
suredly popular majority. Every con-
vention made up of delegates that have
been apportioned according to party
votes. and duly elected from these
political sub divisions. is supposedly
& composed of delegates representing
majority OF the voters. In some cases
these delegates are actually not chosen
by majority but certainly conven-
tion majority does "imply" popular
majority.
Does a convention majority recessarily
imply popular majority? In order to
make as strong a case as possible for
the Ledger-Dispatch's contention. let us
consider nominating convention
gathered to choose between only two
candidates, A and B. OF the lis sepa-
rate delegations making up such a
body. let us suppose that 60 dele
cations. aggregating 420 votes, are for
a. and IS delegations, aggregating
asa votes, are for B. The convention
gives a majority on the first ballot.
Now let us suppose that in the popu-
lar elections that chose AS 60 delega-
TONS 10000 votes were cast, $1,000 for
AS delegations, $4,000 Tor rival candi-
dates for delegates supporting B. Let
us further suppose that in the popular
elections that chose BIS IS delegations,
$4,000 votes were cast, 10000 votes for
the successful delegates and $4,000 for
that in the popular elections. A re-
ceived $4,000 votes, while B received
$4,000 votes. In other words B. who
received minority vote in the conven-
ton, was really the choice Of the ma
jority of the voters. :,
The Times Dispatch has chosen IA
State nominating convention for the
sake of illustration. but any district
meeting will do equally we'll to show
:
that the convention gives and can give.
no weight to the majorities by which
the delegates are chosen. Will the
Ledger-Dispatcl, say that the above
case is nnimag inable? Is it fact that
convention majority really means a
popular majority?
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WILL NEW YORK CHANGE THIS
YEAR,
Recently The Times-Dispatch CON
mented on the singularly conspicuous
part New York has always played in
determining the election of the Presi-
dent II was shown then that out of
twenty-nine elections In which it par
tcipated. New York was on the win
ming side twenty-five times. or, II Til
denis election he counted as a victory
twenty-six times.
Another phase of New York's politi-
cal leadership is significant. namely.
that in no case heretofore has New
York been of the same political faith
for moro tSan. three consecutive terms
Though america was almost univer-
sally Democratic from Jefferson's first
administration, in 1900, to Monroes
last administration, in 1920, New York
broke in upon this political monotony
by voting for the Federalst candidate,
Clinton, in 1872.
On three other occasions New York
has upheld the same party for three
successive administrations. From 1928
to 1886 New York was Democratic
From 1856 to 1864. and from 1896 to
1904, New York was Republican. But
# it will be noted that though on four
8 occasions The Empire State voted three
times in succession for the same party,
s. IT has never stayed of the same politi-
cal complexion for twelve years.
This may be coincidence, or it may
be in response to real reason. But
It. VIII give the Republican political
prophets ground for uneasiness when
they remember that If New York goes
Republican this year, it Will break the
unchanged tradition of the politics OF
that State for a century and quarter
q.
WOMEN'S VOTE ON SUFFRA G E'r'T-
ISM.
A poll of its readers by the London
& Express has elected 49,942 votes from
y women against woman's suffrage. and
1852 In favor of it. The American
press generally is taking this, in con.
nection with Mrs. Humphrey Wards
rather mournful comments, TO NEAR
that the suffragette movement has
failed. Surely that is hasty tudg.
ment. A vote close enough to allow
its result to be reversed by seven be,
cent. change from one side to the othe,
Is undoubtedly close enough to be in
teresting.
Certainly no American poll woul
show anything like so largo proper
ton of woman's suffragists> N
American newspaper could get nearl
$4,000 Of its women readers to expires