The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-15
LET THE CHILDREN PLAY.

LEI IHE PLAY.
President Wilson saw fit to return to his
home State New Jersey and enter the fight
against the particular jury reform measure
backed by the Smith Nugent 6. ction of the De
mocratic party and won. Although there was
seme adverse criticism Of his action, the great
er proportion of 1t favorable. Democrats,
especially, applauded and gratified that
his trip to New Jersey did not end In the COM
rlete failure and humiliation predicted by his
enemies.
Here in Richmond there were hundreds who
followed the accounts of his visit and OF his
speeches closely and hailed the result as vic
tory for good government.
The battle which enlisted their sympathies
was a battle against the kind of referendum
which has been called to settle the question
OF annexation in Richmond.
President Wilson and his friends did not favor
the particulars OF the bill slated to pass the New
Jersey legislature and they did not approve the
provision submitting the entire bill to a
strfcted electorate They managed to defeat that
provision
The issue here In Richmond is not so acute
The question of annexation will be voted upon,
but there is no law to make the result effective
and there Is no other reason why 1t should be
regarded as binding upon the city council. In
New Jersey the result of the referendum vote
would have been mandatory by law upon the
legislature. In Richmond the result will not
be binding upon the council for the reason that
the referendum is unofficial, called by a party
committee to determine the opinion of one party
and not of the people whole.
Friends of annexation, who The Virgindan Is
convinced constitutes the majority of the peo-
pie OF Richmond, will be gratifed to learn that
the committee on annexation purposes to
tinue with its work of investigation regardless
OF the fact that the question will be submitted
to a percentage OF the voters Of the city and
they viii be gratifed to learn that the city
council will base its decision in the matter upon
the report of the committee and the results OF
their own independent investigation.
Let the city committee play with is referen-
dunn. Let the opponents of annexation have the
pleasure Of casting make-belieye ballot against
Richmond's growth. II certain people wish TO
ascertain the views of the Democratic voters of
Richmond there Is no real objection TO giving
them that enjoyment. The cost is a mere trifle
end must be borne by the committee. which. 1t Is
understood. has a surplus In its treasury.
While preparations being made for this
pretense of learning the peoples will and while
the fun is going ON and after the game Is ended,
let the annexation committee and the city coun-
ell work. Let both continue investigation and
study and prepare to act according to the best
interests of Richmond as they see 1t.
There is no real reason why the members of
the annexation committee or the members of the
council should know that annexation ballots
have been prepared.
There il no real reason why they should know
that referendum has been called by the city
Democratic committee.
They have nothing TO do with it. They have
been elected to administer the affairs OF the
city to the best of their ability. without any
provision for the initiative, the referendum or
the recall. Neither of these has been provided
for since their election. number OF citizens
have met and decided that they are curious
to know what the Democrats OF Richmond think
about certain question. II the Democrats of
Richmond chose to tell them their curiosity will
be satisfied II they do not wish to tell them
they will have to guess the rest of us are
doing.
II the majority OF those who take part in this
referendum favor annexation 1t means nothing.
II the majority Of those who vote oppose annex
alton IL means nothing.
Under one condition and under one only will
this referendum be worthy OF consideration. II
the vote cast for or against constitutes a ma
tcrity OF the twenty-five thousand eligible voters
Of Richmond then the will of that majority thus
expressed should be obeyed
Unless the opponents OF annexation can full
I'LL this condition their referendum is nothing
but a piaything OF those who called II and for
which they will have to pay.
Serious men have work to do in advancing
the best interests OF Richmond
MISERY IN THE MINES?
D Unless the editor OF the Black Diamond, organ
l. o,,xstt 4