The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-07
DECEMBER :

" IL IL
have fomented the disc ission of the question;
that they have calculated upon the feeling be-
tween the two factions OF the democratic party
to secure for the support Of the convention those
who are opposed TO the present dominant fac
ton of the party. hoping that The faction may
yield to the clamor and agree that the Conven-
ton shall be held
The pirainion Furthermore believes that no
question of importance sill come before the Con-
yention for settlement which cannot be settled
equally as well for the good of the Democratic
party after the liquor question has been settled,
as before it has been settled. What are the i'm
portant questions, which can he settled before
the primaries held far the selection of mem
bers Of the General Ass mblye
For example, the Convention might declare it
self in favor of legalize4 primary, but it could
not legislate; and its aetion could not affect the
law it stands or apply to the approach
ihg primaries for the LEGISLATURE or the United
States Senate in 1911 Tn TUgiai6a believes
that the law OF the state should provide for
purity in primary elections. and for the pun
ishment of fraud, and there is no reason why
the Democrats OF the various legislative districts
should not demand of the candidates an OK
preston OF Their views on that SUBJECT ana oE
that method they can accomplish "a moeh DIS 'he}
could by state Convention
Hut me F'f9"'an is satisfied tHal tue para
mount issue before the Convention would be the
liquor question The most ardent advocates Of
the Convention admit that nothing can Keep
the question from comma up II a Convention IS
held. II IT does come up the liquor forces reckon
very shfe"dF that thes VIII have much pct
ter chance TO secure declaration favorable to
Local option from convention than they "lii
nave IN the next General Assembly, Inc RANK
ana nj" OF the proh}blt19n element IN the Dem
cffatlc party are not XeFsed IN pohtlcai meth,
oas' as are the hquof clement ana would not
he represented in Convention at anything like
their proportionate strength, aud many OF the
leaders IN the Prohibition Movement IN the
various sections OF the state are men who have
never attended political conventions and would
not do SO now. The liquor men have everything
to gain and nothing TO lase by convention aud
t'+f' '" ''''N tf't'tttf ~ 7sst@ ~ lp7Hi''f
advantage from technical standpoint. even
though ii should ehd III confusion and defeat for
the party. Ihey want al the advantage theE
can got from the clatn Of part regularity.
Az a matter OF fact now that the issue has
been raised, and not b. The temperance people,
ana now that IT Is frankly admitted that If a
Convention should be held il would take up the
liquor question, fhe 44aiataH does not believe
that 1t would be possible 10 lAold a representative
convention. Thousands Of the best men in the
party would not be wiling 10 take part i'll the
selection OF delegates because they believe THAI
the question 81 Statewide Prohibition is not
matter Of partisan peiitIes. but is essentially
moral issue, and that 4 tuan views on that
issue cannot be made test OF party loyalty.
me fUgihtan could no. IN good conscience urge
men to participate III the selection OF delegates
10 party convention with The understanding
that declaration would be made on the iiquor
question: wh1ch declaration would BE- binding
| upon those who participate in the selection o.
/ deiesat's 10 the convention, me lir0tHidH be
Aefes that the saloon rs 4 moral evil inflicted
upon community AT present by the authority
ana with the consent 81 the State. Demo
cfatic convention could declare with unanimity