The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-06
Leaders Favor Referen-
dunn and Recall Except
as to Judges.
POLLARD ELECTED
FIRST PRESIDENT
Progressive Wing Wants State
Convention, Primary Revision,
Fee System Change and Elec-
ton of Corporation Com
missioners by People-In-
dorse Wilson Policies.

Leaders of the progressive wing OF
the Democratic party in Virginia held
conference Yesterday at the Hotel
Rueger. and organized the Virginia
Progressive Democratic League, with
John Garland Pollard. Attorney Cen
erai-eloct. as president. a definite state
ment of principles was adopted. call
ing for State Democratic Conven-
ton, delegates to which are to be
chosen by primary as soon as the pri-
mary laws have been revised.
a committee was named TO issue an
address TO the people OF Virginia.
The platform adopted proposes the
initiative. referendum and recall, eX-
cept as to judges; demand for Wig
orous reform OF the primary laws. for
public sessions of all legislative COM
mittees. presidential preferential pri-
mariAs, election of corporation com
Inissioners by the people, and correc-
ton of the evils of the fee system.
Platform Adopted.
The following platform was adopted:
The Virginia Progressive Democratic
League, in its first convention assem-
bled. makes the following declaration
of principles:
restore popular government In Vir-
ginia. and to that end we reitcrate that
all power is vested in, and consequent
iy derived from. the people; that mag
istrates are their trustees and SER
wants and at all times amenable TO
them Thar government is. or ought
to be, instituted for the common bene-
nt- protection and security of the peo-
pie. nation or community: OF all the
q Fi m u
ment, that Is best which is capable of
producing the greatest degree of hap
plness and jafety, and is most effec-
tually secured against tire danger OF
paiadministration: and whenever any
government shall be found inadequate
or contrary to these purposes, a ma
1ority or the community hath an in
duoitable. inalienable, and indefeasi-
ole right TO reform. alter or abolish
~ IN such manner as shall be judged
most conducive to the public veal
Initiative, Referendum and Recall
10 the end that popular govern
nent may be restored we favor an
amendment to the State Constitution
SO as 10 reserve to the people the power
VI inc initiative and referendum and
recall as TO all officers except Judges
3. We favor the reform of our gen
eral election laws so as to render fraud
at the polls impossible and to that end
We ravor making wilful fraud in cleo
tions felony
= We favor effective laws prohibit
ing and Furnishing attempts to control
voters by paying their poll taxes for
them.
.. We believe that the judges and
clerks OF primary elections should not
be appointed by party committees, but
mat they should be appointed in the
manner provided by the laws govern
ing general elections
o. We favor taking away from party
committees the power to decide con-
tested primary election cases and plac-
ing said contests in the courts, where
witnesses can be compelled to attend
and where false swearing may be pun
ished as perjury.
a. We favor a law prohibiting the
Judges and clerks from using their in
fuence Mt the polls for or against any
candidates or measures at general and
primary elections.
For Full Publicity,
IS. We favor making the sessions of
all legislative committees and party
caucuses open to the public and to the
press, and we advocate that every vote
taken by committees shall be recorded
and reported to the House.
80. We favor a Democratic State con-
vention for the reorganization of our
party, and a declaration of party prin-
ciples, all delegates to such conven-
iion 10 be elected in n primary as soon
as effective primary laws shall have
been enactetd.
10. We favor the election of dele
gates to national conventions by presi-
dental preferential primaries as advo-
Gated by President Wilson in his mes
sage TO Congress.
III. We favor legislation correcting
the evils of the fee system
"12. We favor the election OF the
fn mo- Z ftfJ, ,rf,ic set, I,,v I,
pie"
Those Tnking Pnrt.
Those taking part in tho organiza-
tion meeting were:
X. l.. Ailsworth, Northampton: Il. S.
Barbour, Halifax; c. c. Berkeley, New
A. BE- Carney, Norfolk County; j. NJ.
Curtis, Newport News; r. r. i. Wat
kins, Southampton; y. J. Downing,
Lancaster; Henry G.. Ellis. Hanover; r.
L. Gordon. Jr.. Louisa; Senator C. u.
Gravatt, Caroline; J. Elliott Heath, Nor
folk: j. II. Hargrave. Jr. Pittsylvania;
G. u. Jones, Fluvanna; a. j. Jones, New
port News; Il. S. McCandlish, Fairfax
Charles ". Meredith. Richmond; Charles
w. Mugler, Newport News; Lewis II.
Machen. Alexandria; Howard c. Miller,
Wise; r. w. Shultice, Norfolk; Aubrey
r. Strobe, Amherst; John IT. wilkins,
III, Northampton; s. S. Wilkins. North
ampton; w. w. Woodward, Elizabeth
City; Eugene Withers, Danvillc:
Charles X. Hughes. Clarke; William G..
Holman, Fluvanna; DIR. b. ID. Bagby.
King William; j. w. Chinn, Richmond
County; Judge j. NJ Quarles. Staunton;
Lieutenant C. p. Shaw, Norfolk; DR..
J. w. .Bowdoin, Accomac; #. B. Robert
son, Northampton; r, II. Willis. Roa-
noke; l.. Stone, Newport News: Leslie
C. Garnett, Mathews; Christopher n.
Garnett, Henrico; John Garland Pollard.
Henrico.
Many Send Messages.
Letters and kilograms Wishing sue
cess to tho movement and expressing
- 15,onti i,,,ad7 ~, r,,;i,.1 Il-------