The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-29
Fixing the Responsibility

never been noteworthy for Its loyalty TO the
Democratic party, but which nevertheless at
tempts to dictate both the candidates and the
policies of that party, laments in recent edi-
torial that the parry has platform upon which
Ito go before the people for their suffrage IN Mo-
tvember other than such as the nominee for
governor, Mr.. Stuart. chooses personally to
adopt. In editorial headed, For What Do
Virginia Democrats Sand?" 1t replies TO cor
respondent real imaginary asking for what
principles the Democrats of Virginia stand in
reply regrets that 1t cannot refer its correspon-
dent to "a written platform expounding our
faith" 1t attributes this condition to the al
legged fact that 1--WE have grown lazy in Virginia"
land that have not thought 1t worth while to
declare our principles. leaving voters 10 draw
their own conclusions.
We do not know positively, but assume
that the editorial writer who undertook 10 an
swer the correspondent is sufficiently familiar
with political history in Virginia for the last
dozen years to be able to answer this question
more definitely and accurately and at least to
fix the responsibility for existing conditions. If
he does not know, we Will be pleased to inform
and we call upon the press of the state 20
sustain our contention. The present charities
condition of the Democracy is directly, primarily
and solely due to the abolition of the convention
system of nominating in Virginia, a change for
WNlEn the llmCS (hOW LlTncS-DiSpdtEa) ana
other papers of its type clamored for years and
its suppression by the primary system. which
affords opportunity for drawing and promul-
eating a platform. Under the old convention
system we had a large and representative gath
ering Of Democrats from every section OF the
State and adopted platform setting forth the
dominant view Of the party current issues
and nominated candidates and gave them an
enthusiastic endorsement. But small section
of the press and certain ambitious gentlemen
who were unwilling to trust their claims to pre-
ferment to such a representative convention be-
gan to clamor for trusting the people and
shouted from one end of the State to the other
Let the people rule" until finally the present
popular primary nomination plan was adopted
With it went the opportunity to draft platform
for each campaign. and with 1t also went that
party harmony and unity and good feeling which
marked the old convention days Yet behold
he SEQUEL: Ever since the primary system was
adopted at the mandatory instruction Of con-
vention dominated absolutely by the element
with which the Times was then affiliated and
by a State committee chosen by that conVen-
ton our Richmond contemporary has been critt-
lctsng and condemning the plan and demand
ing amendment of it and sowing the seeds or
dstrust of the men who served In the primaries.
We charge that the Times and the Times -Ds-
patch did it's utmost to bring about the very
conditions it now pretends TO lament
/ How are we to have a convention and draft
! a platform that shall fairly represent the poll
ces and principles and views of the thoughtful
element of the Virginia Democracy? our con-
temporary does not attempt 10 state JUST now -
expects a platform to be drawn ana promul-
gates 1t asserts that I'VE have elected two gov
errors since have had regular party con-
venton to frame a platform, in which asser~
ton it is seriously in error. The last guberna-
torial convention that at Norfolk in 1901,
but the Virginia Democracy has had State con-
tippI In
of which it has had opportunities 70 outline prin-
/ ciples and policies That We have not had a
convention to frame a specific platform in the
year Of gubcrnatorial elections is true. and we
reiterate that the Times Dispatch. to the extent
! of its influence and effort, is responsible Tor
this condition.
But what is the remedy? Shall we. in addi-
ton the primary to nominate candidates. have
/ a convention also the same year TO ADOPT a
platform? If attempt to do how are we
1 to get anybody to attend TO 1t" Certainly no
Representative convention capable Of fairly pro-
muigatlng the party view on current issues and
problems could be had with nothing to attract
the attendance of the party masses or of repre-
sensatves from every city and county, If such
n convention were attempted. 1t would attract
only those with hobbies and axes to grind, and
a handful of self-nterested men and malcon-
tents would get together and draft crazy-quil
production and call it a Democratic platform
Without the contests over the animation OF
candidates such convention would be dun
stale, Hat and devoid of interest and would at
tract nobody but the elements cited
The Times Dispatch neither proposes nor even
Tentatively suggests remedy for conditions it
processes to bewai. Some years ago sug
Eested that If the people insIstd upon the re
tention of the party wrecking primary device
they might to degree limit its pernicious
effects upon the harmony and sodity of the
party by choosing delegates by primary to a
State convention, which would make the nomi-
nation, soften the asperites Of the contest,
harmonic all elements and draft q platform
and arouse all factions and elements TO harmoni-
Gus, II not enthusiastic, support Of the nomi-
rees. Such a convention would draw old
time attendance and cause sufficient interest to
insure the assembling of the thoughtful element
| of the party. Instead, the Time. Dispatch
dertakes to promulgate a platform of It's own,
consisting of eight sections and embracing the
hobbies and fads for which 1t stands. Surely 1t
does not even hope that the party which ii
bolted and whose duly constituted authorities 1T
is constantly nagging and abusing will delegate
Ito 1t authority to outline and promulgate its
PLATFORM
We have had enough of destructive criticism
) I'd suspicion What the Democracy needs is
constructive criticism, real reforms intellgently
and deferentially suggested Not one helpful
suggestion to the primary for which 1t clam
lored and with which 1t has ever since been
finding fault, do recall to have emanated
from the Richmond oracle II has done all it
could to head the Democracy into ditch and
is now Criticising ii for being in it, without
Offering any helpful suggestion leading to extri-
cation. No one familiar with the political his
tory and events in Virginia during the past
decade deny this--Danville Register.