The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-20
CONVENTION AFTERMATH.

With the ending of the long suspense, the re-
suit OF the Second District convention should
bring general satisfaction.
In the elimination Of both the candidates at
the first primary, which set aside for whole
sale frauds IN the interest of either, the chief
point OF popular contention has been gained.
sWith candidate nominated without the sug
gestion of fraud or improper methods it Is
sentially itnlnaerial By what combination OF
circumstance his nomination brought about,
on what the motives which prompted the shift
Of the Young forces his support at the eleventh
hour Of the conventions 1t should be sufficient
lhat Mr.. Holland was especially distasteful To
h both the Young and Maynard forces, and that
the support from one Of these candidates came
only when the attempt 10 combine against him
had signallv failed.
s With "a eleanv nominated candidate there is
nov no reason for further Democratic dissen-
oion Honesty III elections. if not absolutely as
E6ured, is much nearer realization by reason of
2the scandal and the Indignation which it aroused.
EHhe standard bearer III the Congressional elec-
Non will go to the polls without faint Having
accomplished this chief end, il now remains for
sDemocras TO make it effective by undivided sup
Port Of the candidate, by the burying of inevi-
table animosities and bv the sacrifice Of individ-
Mal preferences incidental to the struggle.
Desirable as this end Is. however. if should not
"a made the excuse Of a moments relaxation in
She effort to punish rs criminals the men whose
Hxauds precipitafcd the remarkable state of af
4airs out of which the District has Just emerged
$iEhole but startled There should be no forget
1ulness Of the crime because of the fact that il
#nTentnated In good rather than III evil. In one
@h1ay, and only one, can conditions be permanently
lbettered. and that is by unsparing and unreent
ing prosecution OF the men responsible for the at
kxempt TO debaueh the suffrage. Such action is
8partlculary important, not only for the sake OF
EE4he example itself but that there may be settlet
4 1he mooled question of the snthciency of thu
Bcr1mInal statutes 10 cover ofenses against the
tenor of general election law, when the otfense il
n commltted IN Il party primary. If there Is IL
tact escape on such technical ground, the people
N6houlds have it determined III order 10 remedy
Nxhe abuse 50 as may be-
In still another way the entire muddle sug
u gesfs the vital necessity of legalized primary
q The experience, ugly as II has been should prov,
gHCt final benefit A primary is the taking of thu
vote Of considerable portion Of The electorate
S4f ought to carry the same safeguards, and b.
II eOnducted with the same dignity election
The rights Of all candidates ought to be CAREFUL,
guarded and the status of all voters definitely aut
Aaccurately determined. II should be taken, 5,
h lar as humanity possible, from the clutches o.
II any ring, machine, or faction The Law
should guard it as zeafousy il must in tn,
n interest Of popular liberty, guard every mean
whereby the people are called upon 70 expires
their opinion and desire III The matter both of mel
6Nond of measures.