The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14
CONVENTION ECHOES
Virginia Press Comments on the
Roanoke Convention.
Drynn md tic Prlmnrx.

In view of the inevtabiltylof Mr.. Bryan's
think that the {nction or the Roanoke con-
lvnnton In nstructii,g It's delegates to vote
/ for him was good policy from u mere party
/ clple we do not favor tho practice of letter
lns delegates to n national convention with
Instructions.
BY referring the primary question to the
/ state Central Committee with instructions
| TO Investigate and report to tho state con-
ven,lon IN 1919; the Roanoke Convention
tect This was reasonably to be expected.
and the action was rational and business
like. though the Effect is to perpetuate' the
present system unainended four years longer.
In large body like n Stnto conventions.
| there Is small chance for an Intricate AMI
aifi nsan,, question such as primary plan.
Grafton which 1t MISUNDERSTANDING In
dcx-Appeal.
A Great Platform.
Yes. It's q good platform-.the Roanoke
declaration---a platform that should cone
inand the submission of all true Democrats.
with essentials, and has ignored all but tho
essentials as they pertain to the present
political situation. And for one, the News
doctrine. Our only source of regret lis that
the convention was not called at a sunt-
GENTLY early period TO attract national at
teEtion to its platform declaration. That
step. we still think. should have been taken.
IN -, nesleetinE the opportunity to hold an
has seriously preJudiced Its chances Of
proving leading force in directing the
trend Of Democratic sentiment With REFER
News.
Good Place Anyhow.
The agony IS over. and from the far-dis-
tnnt city OF Norfolk by the sea. our esteem
ed contemporary. swelterinB under the ops
pressive heat Of midsummer stops scrap.
ping the mosquitoes sufficiently long to be-
discomfort nf
delegates to tho State Democratic Conven-
ton as result or the overcrowding of two
hotels We did not think. from the re pea ed
and extensive bewailmehts that our con
temporary has been sending up, that 1t was
sufficiently advised upon the hotel accom-
modations of Roanoke to Justify Its agonlz-
Ing fears Because two OF tho hotels nre
crowded. in Its agonizing deirl,lm. 200 miles
away and two or three days before the con-
Nontion meets. 1t sees hundreds OF dcla-
gates to the convention walking tho streets
all night with nowhere to lay their heads!
fe gods. ~ told you So Next time YOU
VIII get wise and come to Norfolk."-Roan-
oke Times.
Two Main Points.
thing OF fight. but this issue was settled
the moment Senator Daniel and other lead
Ing spirits OF the convention voiced their
sentiment to abide by the will of the people.
which they openly declared to be for Bryan
for President.
IN the State, the principal issue. and. In |
idct. the only Issue determined on. was that |
relating to the primary. Action was taken
as the World and other newspapers OF the
state have urged-perfcction. not abolition
The voice of the delegates was so strongly
In favor OF retaining and perfecting the |
primary system rs TO show that tho feeling |
10 distinctly in favor OF that system over
the convention method OF nominations. The
action TO. have the State Central Commf- /
tee consider betterments for the primary |
system, to urge the next Legislature to Ias- |
alize IL. and to submit further recommen-
dations TO the state convention OF 1912 FOR !
Improvement was wisely takcn.-RoanokeI
World.
Lesalizing Primary.
There is mpropriety in the State con- |
vention adopting advisory resolutions on any |
subject 1T may see tit TO comment on. but |
We contend that, not having been delegated |
b. their principals 1the masses OF this |
partyp. to take any action relative to tho |
primary. the convention had no authority |
to commit the General Assembly TO the |
passage of law. II is a fair inference
that &c the people desire certain legislation
they Will demand 81 of their legislators |
and the latter will be quick to obey, but !
when the people did not authorize the con- |
vcntton to instruct. the assembly is in no |
scnsey bound bs its action. Nor do we agrea |
With our contemporary that '..he party for /
which tho primary laws might be enacted
would be the Democratic" Legislative /
bodies enact laws for all people and all par |
ties and class legislation Is expressly TO:
hidden by the Constitution Any legali.edi
primary would have 10 be applicable to all |