Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-04
rPrimary Election for Ma
tional Committee Puz-
zles Virginians
NO FUNDS TO COMPLY
Politicians Anticipate Trouble Under
Present Conditions in State Glass
Win Not Run.

Washington, Jan. IL he i"hHS "
3he Democratic National Committee
that it's members must be elected by
direct Statewide primary, IN ac-
cordance with the spirit Of the Baitl..
more nlatform. has created a confus-
ing situation in Virginia politics, the
proposed adjustment OF which VIII
have far-reaching effect upon the
United States Senatorial contest to
name a successor to Senator Swanson.
There is no provision in the Vir-
ginia Primary law for the election OF
party officials to meet the present
mandate of the national committee.
The law provides for primary IN
August for the nomination of candid
aLes, for the Senate, Congress, the
General Assembly and State and coun-
ty offices. The national committee
man is elected by the State conven-
lion held to name delefates to the
tion held to name delegates to the
State conventions are named, as
rule, in the old-time precinct mass
meetings.
Democratic leaders of Virginia, at
ter carefully going over the sltuatlon'
declare that there is only one way to
comply with the mandate of the ma
tionai committee and that is to move
up the date Of the United States; Sena-
torial priv,ary from August to May.
# this is done the candidate for the
Senate to succeed Senator Swanson,
the member of the Iational commit
tee, the delegates to the national con-
vention, the delegates to the Ssate
convention and the members Of the
State Central Committee can be nam
ed in this primary, the cost Of which
will be borne by the State and by
the candidate for remunerative Offices
the United States Senate and the
House of Representatives
Unless the date of the primary to
nominate candidate for the Senate
and candidates for Congress is ad-
vanced to May, the Democratic lead
crs point out, the election of Il men,
her of the national committee can
not be made in accordance with the
Baltimore platform, as there are alb
solutely no funds to pay the cost of
holding an additional primary cleo
ton in the State and none of the party
leaders feel able to finance it. The
General Assembly of Virginia, which
meets this month, must authorize the
change in the date Of the primary.
There is serious trouble ahead of
the plan, however, The "anti-or-
ganization" faction in Virginia are
'mnking plans to oppose Senator.
Swanson. They want at least six
months to map ont a campaign and
wage contest. If the primary is
advanced to May in order to permit
the election of member of the ma
tional committee their plans to wage
fight on Senator Swanson will be
materially weakened through the lack
Of time to organize.
Representative Carter Glass, who
has been spoken of as possible can
didate against Senator Swanson, when
asked if the May primary plan suited
the "anti-organization" faction, ad-
mitted that it would not give enough
time to prepare for the contest. 1t
can be definitely stated, however, that
Mr.. Glass will not oppose Senator
Swanson, and the movement to bring
out opposition to the junior Sena-
tor is now centering upon Harry st.
George Tucker, of Lexington.
There are some people who believe
Mr.. Tucker will balk at entering the
contest with so little time TO organize
his campaign.