The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-09
THE ISSUE rs ONE OF MERIT.

THE ISSUE is n OF MERIT
Ma time when 1t was certain that HenryC
Stuart would have no opposition for the Demo
cratic nomination for the governorship. and
when It seemed very likely that J. Taylor Ely
con would be unopposed for reelection for lieu
tenant-governor. The Virginia. commented upon
the dawn OF an era OF good feeling In the De
mocratic party in Virginia. Since that time two
candidates have surprised the political oher-
yers by entering the race for second place on
the ticket and two others have sprung a sur
prise equally as great by making the contest
for the attorney-generalship a four-cornered one.
but these Developments constitute no reason
why that good feeling within the ranks OF De
rnocracy should not continue to exist.
The V4rrinian, for one, sees no cause for any
Sactional alignments In the coming Democratic
primary. Henry Stuart, the lone candidate for
governor. has never been closely identified with
either faction within the party. He has sup
ported organization candidates at times. but
when he thought it his duty and for the best
interests OF the State to do so he has supported
anti-organization candidates. In his contest for
congress he had the undivided support Of all
Democrats regardless of ~factional affiliations and
in the senatorial campaign Of two years ago
he voted for one OF the organization candidates
and one of the anti-organization candidates. He
was allied with neither and was antagonized by
neither, He Is the Democratic candidate for
governor.
In the three contests-those for lieutenant-
governor, for encouragement and for commits
sioner of agriculture-there are nine candidates.
Some OF them have always been allied with
what is known as the organization faction, and
some with the other faction, while still others
have not been known as closely connected with
either. In this campaign the support is divided.
There Is no question OF organization or of anti
organization. 1t fs a question of merit and
ntness. Ellyson. Macben and wedderburn are the
three candidates for Acknowledgements The
Democratic voters of Virginia should make their
choice solely on the ground OF efficiency. Has
mr.. E1lyson made a good presiding officer Of the
eenates Has his conduct in Office met with the
approval Of the voters? rs he the best one OF
the three candidates for the position? Those
who can answer these questions In the affrma-
tive will vote for Mr.. Ellyson. Is Mr.. Machen
= better man than either OF the others? Is he
= man Of such qualifications as to make his
Selection for the best interests of the State?
Those who think SO will vote for Mr.. Machen.
The manner in which the same questions asked
In regard to Mr.. Wedderburn are answered
should determine the attitude of the voters TO-
ward him.
Williams. Pollard, King and Cumming are
candidates for the position of Encouragement.
9ba~n Ia mn Nrht .bera ha$u,eau nrgarf,atsor ora
anttorganization. Which OF these four men is
the ablest, meaning the best lawyer, the most eff.
cisnts tho hest pleaaer in court? Which of these
four win make the best board Of education mem
Der? Which will do the most for the cause of
education In Virginia? Which will best represent
the Commonwealth in court cases? In other
words, which will make Virginia the best at
torney-general? Is It Williams? King? Pollard?
Cumming? 1t is for each individual voter. as a
Democrat and a virginian to decide. and as he
decides these questions 80 should he vote.
The Wrginian has never supported any fac
uon Of the Democratic party. The Vtrginian
+ . Democratic newspaper and as such will
sHpport the NOMINEES OF the primary as will
every other good Democrat in the State. Into
this contest 1t sees no reason for the injection
" f~aetional strife. Nine candidates for three
emcss are running on their merits and upon
~ merits OF the individual the Democratic
voters Of the State should make their choice
East As important to the party and to the State
- The e4iiza4Hatinn of ~factional differences, how
svsr. Is the elimination OF mud-slinging. Legf-
tlnats criticism and attack on onicial records