The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-07
CANDIDATES BY COMMITTEE

Massachusetts Democrats had to resort 10
strenuous methods 10 prevent bitter fight
growing ont of the convention nominating
Governor. Adherents of Eugene \. Foss and
James II. NaheH carried enthusiasmm almost
to the point OF mob spirit. The convention
was disorcanizcd for hours, the police were call
ed in. in spite Of every effort the proceedings
advanced from one turbulent stage to another
still more turbulent Az last resort. the two
factions agreed upon a third man, Frederick
". Mansfield Of Boston, who was nominated by
reclamation, after Foss had on the second bal
lot come within four votes of obtaining the
nomination.
Mr.. Mansfield, however. will not run. 1t was
agreed beforehand that he should retire and
leave the nomination Of candidate to special
committee. The honor. if honor it could
be held To be@Was given him merely for the
purpose al securing a semhlancc Of order in the
convention His nomination was less than a
compromise; II was no more than a truce in the
interest Of temporary peace.
We consider this rusc III every way un
fortunate Il is almost automatic that Demo
Gratis can be depended upon 10 differ strongly
under any and all circumstances. Ii is true
that his quality has caused some distressing de-
/ t#ot7 at tidttS NfHH NlftoiN WAS an UNt II Ger
taintv: II is true that il Is 50 character site
as 10 make IL the constant shadow overhangng
Democratic hopes III every contested State an,
III tie nation. Nevertheless, il is folly to too
greatly fear his party peculiarly. 1t will dc
! lar more harm IL attempt TO stite than 10 ac-
/ cept II at II. face. After ALL the fact of these
differences 1Npiies the party Of which they arr
eharacferistle. Democratic organization IN mos
Instances does nol readi lend itself to the ollie,
ways 81 political nipulation. The individual
cannot be cried dow.!. There Is selt7assertior
III the ranks. And for all the troubles whicl
have grown o0i Of party disscnsions, ii is the
very insisenee upon the right to dissent that
has saved the party whole and militant after
record many times inviting destruction. TIL,
Massachusetts way an innovation which w,
trust will never become popular
On form" il would seem from distance
that Foss should have been the standard bearer
In his race for Congress, pitched upon a clear
cut issue Of opposition to the administration
particularly far a. the tariff laws are concern
eel. he Won an Astounding victory. The vote il
the Foss election showed that Massachusetts, de
spite lis Republican tradition in Presidential
elections, was ripe for revolt against an econ
omlc crime What more natural than that TIT
man who won this sort Of tight III campaign
n be Waged upon national issues, although OF
only Statewide scope, should be chosen to heas
The ticket. Massachusetts is thinking ant
thinking hard. 1t is putting the economic the
cries Of The present administration to the ex
hanslve test Of an analysis by peculiarly in
telligent people. The tariff has struck home
hard; IN the very home of the protective princi
pic Why against NON whose signal victor,
along these lines the first real gun in the re-
iro9rade movement of the powers that bc shout,
arouse irreconcilable differences as a candidate
Tor Governor, We do not know. We do feel
however. that II would have been far better fol
Bay State Democracy. and So for Democrac,
throughout he country, had the fight been per
united To run It's length. \ candidate bv com
mlttee ! essentially democratic. He ough
never 10 be 80 chosen except in orayest emer.
ecncy When the emergency is deliberately pre
pared, the otfense i one for which one will
search III vain for legitimate excuse