The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-28
THE SENATE

The Senate turned It's attention yes
terday to the primary bill and gave
an hour and half to the consideration
of the first three pages of the Holt
measure, reported with amendments by
the Committee on Privileges and I;lec-
lions. The bill was on the calendar
as special and continuing order for
1880 O'Clock.
In the debate on the opening sec
tons of the bill two tendencies were
distinctly noticcable-one in the III
rectlon OF circumscribing tho power
Of the local party committees and the
other an opposite one seeking TO con-
serve TO the party committees as much
amendments designed to reduce the
power OF the local party organizations
appeared group of members headed
By Senators Gravatt and Paul. more
or less opposite stand was taken by the
members of the Privileges and Iclec-
tions Committee. led by It's chairman,
Senator Holt and Senator Rison
Primaries on Same Day.
The net result of the debate yes
terday was the adoption of an amend
ment offered by Senator Gravatt re-
curing primary elections to DO held
throus nout the State on the same day.
The bill as reported contained a pro-
vision requiring primaries to be held
plan is found practicable.
The Gravatt amendment, which after
considerable debate was accepted by
the chairman OF the Privileges and
Elections Committee, provides that the
primary for the regular November
election shall be held on the first Tues
day in August preceding the election,
and that the primary for the July city
and town elections shall be held on
the first Tuesday in the April proceed
ing such election.
Most of the debate OF the day centred
around an amendment offered by SEN
ator Paul striking out section . of the
amended bill, which provides that the
local party organizations may elect to
operate under the primary law or not
as they see lit, and substituting for
1t new section making tho holding OF
Attacks Optional I'Inn.
To make the holding of primary
election optional. said Senator Paul.
pected from such a law. The primary
plan. he pointed out. was devised by an
awakened public conscience to correct
the evil inherent in the convention sys-
TEN. and 10 make 1t optional with the
party authorities whether or not they
will operate under II, Is TO leave them
again In full control of the political
he said. that where party committee
Is intrenched in d dictatorial position
il will OF its own will part with its
power by adopting the primary plan
OF electing their nominees.
primary laws are not framed in
the interest OF politicians, but in the
interest of the people. who should have
the right to name, their candidates by
popular vote" said Senator Paul. TO
frame a primary law and then allow
IT to be ignored at the will OF the
party committee is about the same
thing as declaring by law that GER
tain act IS n crime, and at the same
time permitting tho criminal to choose
whether or not he shall be subject to
that law. The present act leaves the
correction of election evils in the hands
Of those who commit them-an en-
tircly illogical position"
Gravntt Supports Principle.
Senator Gravatt declared his belief
In the principle just laid down by SEN
ator Paul but said that he was willing
in spirit of compromise and in the
interest of eXpediency 10 vote with
those who want the optional feature
retained. Once this concession is made,
however, he contended the Senators
who are inclined to go slow in the
matter of primary reform. should Join
hands with the progreSSives and agree
to Il thoroughgoing primary measure
that Will afford genuine protection
since after the bill Is passed each COM
munity VIII have the right to operate
under IT or not. az il chose 1t was
only right. lie thought. that those who
choose to hold their elections under
the. primary plan should be given
real primary law and not n makesh
Senator Catror declared his hos