Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-11-16
Change Of Time in holding our State
Elections.


Elections.
Our State Constitution was framed in
isi9-mOrc than forty years ago. Article
.. section 1. provides that " the election Tor
Governor. Senators and Representatives
shall be on the 81 Monday Of September,
annually. forever" Since the adoption OF
this constitution the 4" world has not stood
still, changes have been going on. These
change. have affected our State. Many
things tina, were all well enough forty years
ago are very ineonvenIcnt now.
Ought the time Of holding our annual
State elections TO he changed That Is a
question we propose briefly to answer. And
TO begin. we respond lEs; and our reasons
are as follows 1t a change is to be made
We propose the hr.i Tuesday Of November
annually. Every fourth year our people
are called out TO vote for Presidential Flee
tor upon this day. II our State elections
come of at the same time. Il would save the
one hundred and twenty thousand ciiircns,
who so to the polls, days work every four
years.
Again, the modes adopted by political
parties, in this State. In conducting a 70
liucal canvass. have been entirely changed
within the Jas, forty years. Tim. canvass
M was carried on in very quie, way. No
political gatherings to hear political ques'
,ions discussed were holden. Candidates,
OF they took the Geld at ALL travelled in
private, and If they met the people at all,
il wa, a meeting in somo secluded spot.
away from the public gaze. Nor. tho
,,unpine system is all the SO. l, has be-
come a settled " institution with all par
tics. All rarue. have their grcat and their
small gatherings, their public meetings
Tor discussion aud debate. Candidates now
have to " hcc the music" The people cI
pee, them to come out and "show their
hand upon the stump"
TIL, being the rccosuird policy Of all
parties. in conducting their campaigns, a
great Inconvenience i. now experienced Tor
wan, Of proper time to carry through the
canvass. 4, IL now IL, our conventions
have to he holden in the hay and grain sea-
s5u our primary mcc,ing., 10 sclc-. dole
gate. "a these conventions. are also held In
the most busy season OF the year-righi m
the very midst Of the hay .cls,n. The con.
sequence i' a small attendance, and good
opportunity or dcmagosuos to pal on.
c,',. AMI chea, the people. This has been
done over and over again and - Ion: rs
the people are compelled to hold their eau
cus,, when everybody but loaicrs and poli'
,ieiins ar busily engaged, just - long It
will hc rracticci to a greater or les extent.
jus, let tie election be postponed till The
fr., OF November. and then the roopl, will
end ample time or all their political meet
ing, Again, the long evening, Of October
NNNlA ~ IAft NNN hulF " N'lA h''Ai"NF '''
political discussions We MAINTAIN that
the NOR, extensive political questions are
discussed before the people the more likely
The people will b TO act right at the polls
We coali pursue this subj'c, further, bui
our Object now il no, :, much 10 prr.eni
argument. Ia favor u change. a. TO call
,ho attention Of the people q the subject
We trus, the next Legislature will take up
the matter and subm,i tie question Of =
change Of the constitution TO tho people.
With a proper presentation Of the subject,
We bavc no doah, a large ma.nrIiy would
vote for ,ho change.
To thi. cnl W. hops the press will discuss
the question, invite arsuments-Pro and
on.-lst the whole thing b. talked over in
public AMI private, then give the people a
chance to rois upon the matter, and with
their verdict. whatever Il might be, wC
promise 20 b. content.