Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-02-03

the regular election is only a lecnNl- I
cal amair. This is necessarily so when 4
the Democrats are so largely In the as /
cendant.
The Speaker expressed the convic- I
tion that existing conditions were not 4
without danger. and that the politician I
who failed 20 see this, was short I
sighted.
lie spoke OF Misunderstanding inau- /
ences." and said:
1T IS not the system: it Is the
method by which the primary Is con-
Quoted. The Democratic party ought
not 10 live a. It's life is dependent upon
whether its nominations are made by
primary or convention"
Mr.. Byrd was outspoken In his ad-
vocacy OF the primary as a general
principle.
1T comes closer 20 the people than
any other method OF nomination. de-
clared he
The Speaker said he was a sincere
believer in the compulsory feature
embodied I'm the original draft or his
hill but that he realized the impor-
lance OF the Influences against 10 and
was willing 90 waive this point lie
wished ia short. 20 proceed along the
lines 81 least resistance Moreover, ne
thought the point about the compul-
r.tv feature was rather an academic
oi.stion than otherwise. The State
committee. Under his bin. can dele
gate 10 local committees the author
lty 70 choose local officers as they see
Mt Presidential electors, too, are TO
be chosen as heretofore.
As 60 the Money Spent.
Mr. Byrd was particularly conNinc-
INK ia cxpla ming those features or his
bill that restrict the expenses OF can
didatcs The measure provides that n
candir A.. ~ not spend more tn.h
ten Goats fur each vote cast IN the
last general election Tor the ONCE 10
'' csnsiSafe For tG1soveAor could not
\ spend more than $500.
speass T.%S ~ssa the Sse spS %@ 81 noney
WAS nnhcard 81 in any elections. am
speaking not OF the Southwest but oi
n thf NolleN- lection Ihc hrst wv ~.
tfing became apparent was Wien ~
Itch nian ran Tor So,nsre,SSs noltS -
thereupou blossomed out In great et-
'.Ths next time there Was any great
expenditure ~ money was when VIII
lard and Montague on one side Wer'
running against Swansoh eeS $50
In that campaign $500 was sent 81
20 20 s sav. 'S abiaed IN I'd The pockets OF nv,
men. SO IL didn't deoauch the com
nunity.
ten the effect OF which is 20 eXclud
from many Offices the man OF mod
crate means. We might as well O.
as the Romans did when they put nj
the imperial purple TO the highes
bidder.
IN my bin follow the wester
plan. which puts in the bill the max
tmum which candidates are permitte
30 spend. II behooves us 90 do IN
best We can. so as 20 make IL Grim
10 spend too much money for cleo
lions Some day we may catch IN
man doing these things. II VIII haN
a tendency 20 correct matters.
L believe the Democratic party
approaching the parting OF the ways
added Mr.. Byrd I'VE cannot so c
as We have II we continue the'
the accretion from our own rank
will make us fight for our lives. W
should put our ideale OF governmel
upon the statute books OF the Sta
SO that Virginia, as least. SO far
her Legislature is concerned. mi
show that We have not given away
the commercial instinct which h
ParalyEed the morality OF 50 maj
states"
Continuing. the Speaker said: "
looks like a very easy thing 10 dra
bill affecting thousands OF peopl
bot a isn't The more you study q
Eaore difficulties you ind In the wa
Toe have got to have your mach
cry an6 that machinery is necessari
COMPLEX We have got 20 esta blish Z
method by which the principle Is ca
red cut and by which everybody G.
know exactly what he IL to do.
Many years ago. l was the auth
% the Australian ballot system. II "
drst applied IN Winchester. but Eu
aeQuentEy became part OF the Ctd
law That law has never been chang
BY the dotting OF an or the crossi
% a since II was enacted.
/ have carefully prepared this Il
before you so as 20 foresee every pos
bile contingency and TO eliminate eve
matter OF controversy that might art
$50 far as / have been able 10 do
have gwen IL the most earnest attic
ton have read the laws OF -
enteen States and I have taken IRE
those laws what I thought was D
suited 10 tho genius OF our people
Delegate White. OF Rockbrid
ouizzed thu Speaker TO escerti
whether The latter's bill in reality /
optional features. and In no "
smacked Of compulsion.
Mr.. White seemed TO object 90
clause which said that local comm
tees might apply to the central CO
mittee for permission TO nominate
cal officers as they saw mt "Acco
ing 10 this" said Mr.. White, 'the 10
committees have to ask permission
the central committee. Ought IN
not TO be a purely local option Il
ure7"
THAT would be perfectly satsit
tory TO me-" replied Mr.. Byrd. It
A what the clause means now.
Mr.. White thought the langu
could be made more specific. II
perfectly willing TO make the cnenl
kftsr Mr.. Byrd bad resumed bis srst. {
ID west. sh< Ranscmond esssEsts VINO b