Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-01-06

L. H. MACHEN ATTENDS
Calls For Convention and Election OF
Corporation Commission by Pco-
pie.

pie.
/; Richmond, Va, Jan. 6.-Leaders of
| the Progressive wing of the Demo-
cratic party in Virginia held confer
ence yesterday at the Hotel Reuger
: and organized the Virginia Progress-
{ i've Democratic League, with John
Garland PollarS, Attorney-General
: elect, as president. A definite state
ment of principles was adopted, call
ing for a State Democratic conven-
! ton, delegates to which are to be cho-
sen 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; a demand for vigil
t-rous reform of the primary laws for
! public sessions of all legislative COM
mittees, presidential preferential pri-
maries, election of corporation COM
missioners by the people, ami correc-
/ ton of the evils Of the fee system.
! The following platform was adopt
I ed:
/ "The Virginia Progressive Demo
cratic League, in its first convention
assembled. makes the following dec
! laration Of principles:
/ 81. The object of this league is to
restore popular government in Virgi-
! MIA, and that we reiterate that all
power is vested in, and consequently
derivea from the people; that magis-
trates ere their trustees and ser
wants, and at all times amenabe to
then. This government Is, or ought
! to be. instituted for the common bene-
| fit. protection and security of the peo-
ple, nation or community; of all the
| various modes and forms of govern
ment, that is best, which is capable of
producing the greatest degree OF hap
piness and safety, and is most effectu-
/: ally secured against the danger OF
maladministration; and whenever any
| government shall be found inadequate
or contrary to these purposes, ma
! iority of the community hath indu-
! bitable, nalienable, and indefeaslble
right to reform, alter or abolish, IN
such manner as hshall be judged most
conducive to the public veal.
ITO the end that popular govern
ment may be restored we favor an
an endment to the State Constitution
so as to reserve to the people the
mower of the initiative and referen-
dunn and recall as to all officers except
judges.
as. We favor the reform OF our
general election laws so as to render
fraud at the polls impossible, and to
that end we favor making wltul fraud
in elections felony.
"a. We favor effective laws pro-
hibiting and Furnishing attempts to
control voters by paying their pol
taxes for them.
as. We believe that the judges ane
clerks of primary elections should no.
be appointed by party committees
but that they should be appointed II
the manner provided by the laws gov
ernng general elections.
"6. We favor taking away from
party committee the power to de
eide contested primary election case
am placing said contests In tn
courts where witnesses can be com
pelIed to attend and where false
swearing may be punished as perjury
a.. We favor law prohibiting the
Judges and clerks from using their IN
fuence at the polls for or against any
: candidate or measures atgeneral .ahe
primary elections.
: "S. We favor making the session
Of all legislative committees and par
i -ty caucuses open to the public and t'
, the press, and we advocate that eV
.erv, vote taken by the committees Sna:
be recorded and reported to tn
! House. -r. ca
.'9. We favor Democratic Sta1'
: convention for. the reorganization o
our party and declaration OF part
principles, all delegates to such con
vention to be elected in primary a
soon as effective primary laws shal