The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-27
BRYAN AND PRIMARY
ARE LEADING ISSUES

sreak the language of the tribe" 1t
is not known whom the tribe" Will put
up. but 1T is apparent that 1t Will not
be either of these gentlemen, although
Mr.. Montague's friends will present
his name.
A number of prominent Richmond
men are mentioned as probable dele
trict. Some OF them are Mr.. Charles
B. Cooke. of Henrico: Mr.. Alfred B.
Williams, OF Richmond; Mr.. w. II.
Sands and Mr.. w. Waller Morton, OF
Richmond.
Primary Matter.
But there will be more than the
mere election Of delegates. alternates
and electors at the Roanoke conven-
ton. Judge R. T. w. Duke, of Char
lottesville; Hon: John Whitehead, of
Norfolk; DR.. Thomas H. Barnes. of
Nansemond; Colonel A. NJ. Bowman, OF
Salem, and others have declared their
bitter opposition to the present pri-
mary system, and have indicated their
purpose to join hands with all who
will undertake to break 1t down.
Perhaps the strongest argument that
has been advanced in favor of abol-
fishing the present system OF nominal
ing Democratic candidates for office in
Virginia Is Liza llc 1IlC w IIeluOu pldSe
tically does away with county dis
trict and State conventions, thus de-
priving the party in subsequent cam
paigns Of that inspiring enthusiasm
which results from an old-fashioned
Democratic rally. where eloquence
fires the hearts of the unwary and
stimulates the Indifferent to press for
ward to victory at the polls.
Much of the talk to the effect that
the system is cumbersome and costly
emanates from its enemies, many of
whom, it is alleged by the other side,
have steadily and persistently sought
to load it with handicaps and to rem
der it unpopular with the people at
large.
Movement for Reform.
Time was when the party convention,
especially among Southern people, was
almost a tenet of Democratic faith,
but the system finally began to be
dogmatic in their mana cement Of af-
fairs, and the system became breeder
and promoter of bosses whose arro-
gance threatened to weaken, If not de-
feat. the party in many important
States. Then the primary reform
started and swept over the country
Enemies of the primary have prevented
it from being perfected in Virginia
and therefore, according to its friends.
1T has never, reached the high tide of
Its popularity in this section. The
present party law allows conventions
under certain conditions. There is Il
local option feature as to the method
OF nominating candidates for the Legis-
lature, county Offices and Congress- and
In many OF these local districts con-
ventions are still held. State conven-
tions. however, can be held but once
In four years, and then only for the
purpose of preparing for national con-
ventlons.
VIII Save the Plan.
Judging from the present outlook
the primary will not be abolished by
the Roanoke convention, for II Bowman
and Whitehead and Duke and Barnes
come forward to assail 1t they will be
met by Hay and Glass and Byrd and
Flood and perhaps also by Daniel and
Swanson. who will, according to indi-
cations, have behind them an oveo-
yhelmiag sentiment in favor of main
tanning the system.
or course. there Is going to be al
good deal Of gubernatorial talk and
work at the convention The gather
ing will be in Mr., Stuart's country and
IL would be strange II the partisans OF
use of 1t. They Will almost certainly
call upon him for q speech II lie shows
his face in the big theatre Where tho
convention will meet, and he will very
likely be there. So will Judge Mann
and Mr. Tucker, and, OF course, they.
too, will be asked to make addresses.
The convention will in all probability
complete its work In one day, but tho
session may possibly last longer, Indi-
cntlons are that a very large proportion
Of the 500 delegates and many OF Che
|alternates will attend.