The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-01

That government is or ought to be
instituted for the common benefit,
protection and security of the people.
nation or community, and Of all the
various forms of government that i s
best, which Is capable of producing
the greatest happiness and safety. and
is mostly effectuliy secured against the
danger of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.; and
whenever any government Ia found in
adequate or contrary to these pur-
poses majority of the community
hath an inaHbitable, inalienable and
indefeasible right to reform. alter or
abolish it in sush manner as shall be
judged most conducive to the public
weal,'
And recognizing the great service
rendered to the cause of popular gov
ernment by the Democratic party in
the State and nation since its founda-
ton upon the principles advocating
by Thomas jefferson, this league at
firmed Its allegiance to those principles.
and proclaims it's steaofast purpose to
endeavor within the Democratic party
to promote the adaptation of those
principles to the changed and more
complex conditions OF the present
time.
Asks Co-operation.
Second. In this endeavor this league
invites the active cooperation of every
Democrat in Virginia to obtain the
endorsement by the Democratic party
in Virginia, and the enactment into
the law of the State, Of the following
principles and measures:
"A. Election reform, including the
enactment of statutes raising the re-
CURED qualifications Of the registrars
providing for the effective purgng of
the books OF registration, penalizing
the improper payment of poll-taxes
and Furnishing as felonies, deliberate
election frauds, and including also a
legal direct preferential party pri-
mary. allowing all nominations State.
county and municipal, to be made un-
der a primary election statute that
shall embrace these features. Cd A
fixed date at fixed period in advance
of the regular election for the holding
of primary elections. to prevent the
juggling OF dates by way of favoritism
election judges to conduct the pri-
maTies. thereby preventing the special
selection of primary judges for ui-
terror purposes, and inducing the Sc
lection of regular election judges of
sdch character and capacity as that
they may be entrusted with the con-
duct of all elections regular and
primary with full assurance Of their
honest dealing. integrity. and impair
TALLY. (3) A definitely prescribed
and tlxod standard of qualification OF
voters for participation in party pri-
maries, leaving OF the arbitrary
discretion of party committees
or election judges. the least possible
latitude. 90 Severe penalties at
tached to fraud in all elections, and
penal prohibjt ton against the exercise
by election judges of solicitation for
or against candidates or measures on
the days of regular or primary cleo
tons. 60 All primary election con-
tests to be determinabie In the courts
with full authority to compel the at
tendance OF witnesses.
e. The ENGRAVING upon the State
constitution of the initiative and the
referendum by which the people of
the Commonwealth shall reserve to
themselves the right and power to
propose upon the petition Of re ason-
able part of the electorate, and a.
enact laws approved by majority Of
the voting electorate, but denied to
them by the general assembly or to
veto by a majority OF votes upon a