Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-03-26
Democratic Territorial Convention.

The Democratic Committee for the Territory
OF Washington, assembled at the Tacoma
House. in Olympia. on the 2sth inst, and pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of business per.
tanning to the interests of the Democratic
party, in the approaching canvass. .
II was ordered oy the Committee that the
Democratic TerritoGal Conv cntion. TO nomi-
nate Candidate for Delegate to Congress, to
serve in the AID Congress, be held at
Vancouver. Wednesday, the 9Th day OF April,
at IL m. The representation TO said Con-
vention will be as heretofore. two Delegates
to each Representative in the Lower Branch OF
the Legislature. The Committee have had
under consideration proposition TO change
the basis Of representation. predicatlng it on
the Democratic vote cast at the last Delegate
election, but as this was proposed but by
single county, yet most earnestly by large
uumber of our leading men, the Committee,
taking into consideration the circumstances
which surround them, and the fact that there
has been no general expression of public senti-
ment on the proposed change decline to as
sumo the responsibility, leaving to the Con-
vention TO determine what shall constitute
the basis OF representation in conventions here
after TO Sc held. The Committee have had
presented to them for heir consideration also
a modification of what's known as the . Craw-
ford County System The Committee be-
lieve that the adoption Of such system blythe
Convention would do much to purify party
politics and give to the people the representa-
tion they desire. Its adoption would also
leave to the party an efficient organization.
The Committee would therefore recommend to
the Convention the propriety of urging on the
counties the adoption Of some such system,
and extend the same to the selection of Dele
gate, as we'll as county officers. The chairman
of each county commit could thus he con-
stituted a return judge. carrying with him the
tally list and polbooks the several charmtn 20
meet in convention on certain day and make
q general computation Of the votes cast for
Delegate. This would relieve our conventions
of all strife and secure as the nominee the man
who had received the greater number of votes
in the Territory. Rules and regulations could
he adopted with the view of securing uniform
ity of action. The whole subject is respect
fully submitted to the consideration of the
Convention.
The Committee have also had presented for
their consideration the question of general
elections, under the act of Congress of March
3D., 1869. This is q question of grave impor-
lance to the Taxpayers of the Territory. That
Congress did intend that the election Of gener.
al county officers should take place concur
rently with that of Delegate, we think is
clear; and that the legislation referred to in
quAhncacOn OF the statute iSleglsiation subse-
uent, We think is equally clear. The Com
mittee feel fortified in this construction of the
Law of Congress, as it harmonizes with the in
terests Of the people. Early measures should
be taken for the determination Of this ques-
ton. The Committee do not see they can do
more than refer the subject to the general Con-
rention. If the people are to be sadd.cd with
the expenses of an extra election, let the re-
sponsibility rest where it belongs. no 90
The time for holding county conventions to
elect delegates to the Territorial Convention,
was left by the Committee to the several coun-
ty committees, whose duty it isto immediate
~ provide therefore. r nt ta.H.f
Let all strife cease. With union and harmo-
ny in our ranks, and an earnest desire on the
part of each individual for success, victory
will once more perch upon our banner, and our
fair Territory be redeemed from tie thraldom
ofRepublicanism. Q. b. MCFADDEN,
LEVI SHELTON, Chairman.
Secondary