The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-17
Democratic Leader En-
dorses Views of Sen.
ator Keezell.
WARM WELCOME
BY FRIENDS HERE
Says Time Has Come to Forrnu-
late Party Creed on Which
Candidates May Stand.
Many Leaders Think
Meeting Should Be
Held.

Favoring a State Democratic Con-
late party creed on which to stand
and on which candidates for Office,
State and local. may go before the
people, Henry &. Stuart yesterday
added his voice to the opinion OF
those who are asking for such
gathering While he is committed to
no particular time. Mr.. Stuart added
that he is strongly inclined to agree
with Senator keezell that it should
be not later than May
There is believed TO be no doubt
that the movement for convention.
Monday viii find strong impetus
in the expression of Mr. Stuart, who
In these days looms large as leader
among the Democrats of the state.
He was much impressed with the
views of Senator George =. keezell.
as published in The Times-D Dispatch
yesterday.
warmly Welcomed.
Mr.. Stuart came to the city yes
terday morning He looks we'll and
shows hardly trace of his long and
strenuous campaign His progress on
the streets was everywhere impeded
by enthusiastic friends who crowded
around him to shake his hand and 10
congratulate him on the magnificent
fight he made TO redeem the Ninth
District.
lie had nothing to add. he said, to
the statement as TO a possible con-
test he had given out, and which was
published yesterday He desires that
the rumors as to Illegal voting be in
yestigated, and that appropriate
action be taken.
Asked as 10 what ho thought of a
State convention. Mr.. Stuart said:
Il have moi given the question OF a
State convention . great deal of
thought. In fact. have heard no Sc
rious discussion OF the natter In my
own section of the state or elsewhere
until my arrival in Richmond to-day.
i have read the views OF Senator kee-
zcil, as given In The Times-Dispatch
this morning. and | must confess that
they appeal to me strongly at this
juncture.
Fnuit of Primaries.
Whatever may be the merits of the
State primary system, we must admit
that under IL we have lost the oppoI-
tunities which the old State conven-
as party, where our principles might
be defined and declared In an authori-
tative manner.
1T seems to me that the time has
come when the Democratic party of
Virginia should come together and
formulate party creed on which tu
stand and on which candidates for
loffice. state and local, may go before
1.-THE people. a party must be lacking
In that strength which comes from CO.
hesiveness unless 1t submits itself, from
time to time, to the direct control and
idirection of the people through their
laccredted representatives.
There is every reason why live.
progressive party such as ours should
declare its principles and thus appeal
ito the hearts and consciences of the
tpeople by something more than name,
II feel that the party has everything to
fgain by a State convention. and while
IL am not committed TO any particular
time of holding 1t. am strongly in.
sclined to agrec with Senator keezell
THAT 1t should be not later than May.
Favor Late Meeting.
While most of those prominent IN
political life who have expressed them
selves in favor of convention, and
while the demand is generally Joined
.imore or less opposition. Some of 1t
tcomes from those who would agree to
Ia convention IL held after the senato-
lrial primary. The advantage in this Is
said to be that the delegates could be
.telected to it at the general primary,
1.-THE national fight would not be mixed
sup with the State issues, and that a
convention held after the fight for the
Esenatorship is settled would be condu-
Give of party harmony
From those who desire an early con-
hvention comes the objection that nearly
tall the candidates for the Legislature
iwould be nominated before a late con-
tHention could meet. having already
made their own platforms and being
chosen on them.
Some exceedingly interesting devel-
opments came to light yesterday In
lconnection with the convention idea.
One Of these is that next year the
primary for the nomination of two
candidates for United States Senator
must be held on the first Thursday
IN September. 1t had been heretofore
supposed that it would be early in
August, but 1t is noted that the party
primary law says that where Senators
iplone are to be named the date is to
he in September Where State officers
are to be filed at the ensuing November
election. then the senatorial primary
must be held on the same day with
the other, which is to be not less
than sixty nor more than ninety days
.priorto the general election.
* New Officials.
Another fact is that a convention
means the. selection of a new party
authority. The party law says that
S'there shall be a chairman of the
State Central and Executive Commit
tees, elected by the State Convention
Whenever it assemblies There shall
The a State Committee composed of
EIive members from each Congressional
District" This Is taken to mean that
1T a convention is held that body must
necessarily choose ~ new committee
pr re-elect the old one, and at the
Same time elect chairman.