The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-18
A PROGRESSIVE STATE PLATFORM.

return TO the lower mouse. ihSIc "i'
thirteen specific declarations in his an
uouncement of his views on public
questions: be it said that each is de-
hnite and unequivocal.
Briefly summarized. AI,. Wili;o Glands
for:
L A legaiized primary law, applying
even to the selection of members of
the party organization.
q A drastic and thorough corrupt
practices act
5. Tax equalization through sssre
cation
l. The initiative and the referendum,
5. Popular election of United states
Senators
s Protection of the full rights of the
laborer engaged in hazardous ocoupa-
tions.
:. Revision OF the road laws.
s. Abolition of convict labor lcas-
ing.
:. A clear and thorough antitrust
10. More attention to the primary
and lower grades of the public schools.
IL. Reform and partial abolition OF
me Ice ~
IL Simplitication Of legal procedure
and reduction OF tho cost Of litigation.
Ia Stricter regulation of the intra-
state shipment of intoxicating liquor.
The whole platform IS too long TO
admit OF detailed and complete dis
cussion OF il, but four of its planks call
for especial comment.
Until we get pure elections and free
and honest vote OF the people, all other
attempts at progress and reform must
TAIL" Mr.. White declares, and he hits
the nail souarely on the head. The
remedy he suggests is "a genuine, clear
and vigorous lcgalized direct primary,
applying 10 all offices from tho Presi
lent down. which should also apply
10 the selection OF the members Of the
party organization." The Times Dis
patch agrees that such 4 legalized pri-
mary is a supreme need of the state
which should be enacted into law NJ
tho next General Assembly but IT is
not yet assured that the presidential
primary has indicated itself as true
and representative register of the
peoples will AS TO the application OF
legalized primary law TO the selection
Of members of the party organization
we arc in fun accord. That is what
Wisconsin already does--it is what
Virginia ought to do TO remedy IN
obvious defect in her dominant party
system. il seems that such an amend
ncnt to our party plan ought to OBJ
viate Mr.. Whites suggestion that rri-
mary and election contests should be
decided by the courts. "A Virile. clear
and stringent corrupt practices act,
applying TO all elections and primar-
ics'' is an indispensable accompani-
nent 10 legalized primary law.
Segregation is Mr.. whites panacca
for our inequalities and injusticcs in
taxation. as RI was in the last Cen
eral Assembly, but whether that is
the correct solution of our paramount
problem remains TO he seen. The CON
sultation has not yet been held, and
how and where the operation is 10 take
place is not yet decided. Segregation
may be decided upon as the proper
method OF reform IN 1911, but 1t was
not practical in 1912. when Mr. White
so vigorously opposed the creation OF a
strong centralized tax commission.
This opposition was based on Isis fear
-, s,...,,.,,
:"
son. whose peopde are as jealous Of
their rights as ours, such 4 commission
has moi bocn arbitrary or tvrac,,..,, i'm
its operations. has not worked harm 10
local self government and has brought
IN greatly Increased revenue since its
establishment The people do not long
suffer oppression
As to safesuarding the rights Of tho
working man enployed At the risk OF
injury to iife ana limb, Mn White
says:
Virginia Is forty years behind the