The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-29
Voice Of the People
The sclf-scekiuE omclnl.


the legislative. executive and judicial
powers should be separate and distinct
ana that the members thereof may be
restrained from oppression, by feeling
ana participating in the burthens Of
the people. they should al liked periods
DE reduced to private station. re-
turn into that body from which ,hey
were Originally taken. and the vacancies
be supplied by frequent, certain uno
regular elections, in which all or any
part OF the former members 10 be
aSah eligible or ineligible. as the
law shall direct"
Present conditions in Virginia war
rant revolution and o recurrence 10
'he fundamental principles set forth
especially in the selection of Federal
representatives, and reorganization
upon basic lines should include the
ehtirc state government. 1T will no
doubt prove a Herculcan task. but the
Ausean stables should be swept clean.
one cannot contemplate with any
degree OF patience the fact that for
the great office OF Senator as repre-
sentative III Congress his choice is re-
uucen TO TWO persons. who may be
aike objectionable, no; only 10 him.
but to the great body of the people.
The primary law or rule of party
action IN its present form everybody
Knows 10 be farce and in no sense
.aPao'c IN ITS operation Of represent
ing the VIII OF the party, let alone the
people. II practically DISTINGUISHES the
majority of the citizens of the State
who decline to make use of IT and RI
iuse 10 recognize its edicts-refrainine
from voting both in primary and reyu-
lar elections.
hatever may be the merits or de-
merits of the distinguished (nowl
senior senator from Virginia the Hon
lhoinas 5. Martin, if for no other rea
son than the bare fact that he continued
90 uischarge the duties of his respon-
sipie position under peculiar and try
ing circumstances-that is. when he
was peing attacked OH the hustfnrs
by self-seeker. that vainglorIo,Is
individual who has been long time
hohored by the people of his congress
siohal district with the highest gift
t"ey could bestow, tina; of Reprcsen-
tatiVe IN Congress. and who practically
deserted his post at a time when II
was conceived by the President of the
Shi'eu states legislation WAS so i'm
po''"h. that an extra session had to
DC called. and then, too. for the urst
was brought face to face with prob
ielns which long delayed opportunity
aHoraed chance of realizing and
should have required the best worl,
ana closest attention OF all Represen-
tauVes 1t is practically certain thnt
the bare fact" that Senator Martin.
under the circumstances, stood by his
post of duty, will insure his rc-elec-
"on' II the Will OF the people can be
arrived at.
The presumption of these people
WHO nave been elevated is best ex-
pressed by referring to the conduct of
MIR, Jones. who considers bimssIt 81
essential TO the existence of the State
or nation that he deserts one position
10 seek another OF different degree
and illustrates the Importance of re-
CURING TO the fundamental principle
SET torth in the paragraph quoted from
the Virginia Bill of Rights.
1t goes without saying that the
principle applies as well 10 Mr.. Glass.
II is true that he has done great
service in exposing Mr.. Swanson.
However that may be. IL had served n
better purpose had he taken this ac-
ton in the halls of Congress or used
ms knowledge to prevent the ap-
polntment of Mr.. Swanson to the SEN
since 1902
The Tfmes-Dispatch is to be con-
graduated for having so promptly
recognized and asserted the undesir-
ability of Mr.. Swanson-who has been
IA notorious self-seeker throughout his
entire public career From the stump
again and again ne voiced his am
billion, more especially 10 be Governor
OF virginia dream OF his boyhood
the ambition of his manhood. To
thinking men 1t has no doubt been
suggested there was something nc
cullar in the certainty by which he
was able to achieve his ambition. 1t
was always understoPl that he was
during the time he'hwas Governor he
entertained lavishly-probably more
so than any Governor who preceded
him. His appointment to the Senate
was almost Immediately followed by
the purchase of a valuable residence
property in Washington. All these
things SAVIOR OF much money
Governor Fitzhugh Lee was so :m-
poverished when he left the Virginia
White House" that immediate en-
ployment was essential for the sup
port OF his family. and his friends
made him president of the Glasgow
accept position In the Federal service.
and until the hour OF his death had
to earn his bread BY the sweat OF his
brow.
Contrast, If you Will Mr.. Swanson.
In my argument l have disposed OF
three out of four candidates for SEN
ator We have Senator Martin, IL by
legislative corruption or by sufferance
he appears too shrewd a politician to
be caught in the net of his adver-
sarics' weaving. Despite of it all, long
and seemingly honorable service yet
commend him to the people.
According TO the primary. 1t will be
either Glass or Swanson, both unde-
sirable; the latter almost impossible.
The present primary method is un-
satisfactory-a farce. What. then. Is
to be done? | know OF nothing save
the call for State convention. and
the substitution of Its edict for the