The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-11
AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
Insofar as II affects the question OF annexation
the decision OF Judge Crump in restraining the
city Democratic committee from placing the
words for and against reference Of annexation
ordinance" on the ballots to be used in tomor-
rows primary is of little moment. The proposed
referendum was merely to determine whether or
not the Democratic voters Of Richmond wished
70 give all the people OF the city the right to vote
on annexation If and when the annexation COM
mittee Of the council prepared some definite plan.
The referendum had no bearing on annexation
and would not make necessary or make impos-
sible a second referendum on that question. The
annexation committee and the council have the
matter In charge now as they had 1t in charge
before. A referendum on the question later could
be held whether the words went on the ballot
or not. and it can be held now that the court
has decided that the words cannot go on the
ballot.
AS affecting the conduct of primaries now and
hereafter. here and elsewhere, however, the de-
cision is Of the highest Importance. This is true,
not so much because 1t makes impossible the act
OF overshadowing the main issue Of the selection
of candidates for office by placing other things
than their names on the ballot. though this Is
important, but rather because it determines by
court decision the status OF the Byrd primary
law. 1t establishes what members OF the Rich
mond city Democratic committee had denied, and
what probably other committees had denied-the
supremacy Of the law of the State Of Virginia In
the conduct of primaries, The Byrd law was
intended to legalize primaries and while that
Law Is not perfect 1t does Enthusiastically affirm
that primaries shall be held under the protection
of the law. No party is compelled to nominate
its candidates by primary, but If it does chose
that method II must hold them under the Byrd
Law. which is 10 say ii must hold legalized prf-
maries. subject to the safeguards against ir-
regularities and corruption provided for in that
Law.
Virginia mas struggled long for a good primary
law and has yet to attain the Ideal, but the law
enacted by the last general assembly was a long
step forward. That law has been given life by
being given court Interpretation and that inter
probation makes it as effective as possible. One
of the principal points raised" says Judge Crump
IN his decision, els the right OF the courts to
interfere with the election machinery and he
afarms the courts right to interfere with the
primary election machinery. something that
could not be done before the enactment OF the
Byrd law, as more than one Judge has held.
The Importance of that decision cannot be over
estimated. AS We see it, it means that the pri-
uaries must be held subject to the laws Of the
State and the courts can take cognizance of any
alleged irregular acts, 1t means that Irregular
tea in primary elections are subject to the same
punishment as irregularities in regular elections
or so much thereof as provided for in the Byrd
lew.
In short. 1t uats teeth into the law. IT iegalizes
party primaries in Virginia.
Just ore word here to those who asked for a
referendum on the question of annexation, Sc
cured e stone where they asked for fish and
finally lost the stone.
4 referendum is possible now and if they wish
it thy can secure it. Moreover. they can secure
a better. more effective and broader referendum
Tran sbey asked. They asked the committee TO
submit the question TO the vote OF Democrats.
They can Row ask, and secure, If backed by pub
lie sentiment, the submission Of the question to
. all the voters. They asked a referendum when
the s~aestion was not in such shape that it could
BE- voted upon lnteiligently. They can now secure
a referendum after it has been put into such
shape that it can be voted upon intelligently. r.
The right of the people 10 pass upon questions
OF public importance is not denied by the de-
ession- of Judge FsHsf-- Fiat question was not
n issue and has never been an issue. Some of