The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-05-20
:TTht Getil M't'Iyhi9
ELkTON, MAY 20, 1871.
The Primary Elections.

Byavote taken at the Primary meetings.
of the Republican party, in the Fall OF
1869 it was determined to change the mode
of selecting candidates from the old con-
vention STYLE which seldom proves salts
factory, to the more popular system adopted
in some places, of selection by ballot, by
the voters at the Primary Meetings, the
several candidates for county officers, which
are to be the standard bearers of the party
in the campaign. In order to make the
best and most popular selections by this
system, it will be necessary that the names
of aspirants who would be candidates,
shall be announced to the public prior to
the assembling of the Primary Meetings
This can be done by the aspirants or their
friends giving notice through the public
press, in the manner that Independent can
didates adopt, who desire to try their
chances for office in a popular election
We believe if this plan is properly carried
out that it will result in the choice OF
ticket composed of the best men in the
county, and one on which the party will
HEARTILY uHlte.
In order to aid to the utmost in inaugu-
rating this system, we will announce the
names of candidates for the several offices
to be filled in the county, through The
Wig, gratis, if handed in by themselves
or friends This offer of gratuitous adver
Using does not include a card accompany
ing the name of each proposed candidate;
but this-For Sheriff, A. B., Of District;
for County Commissioner, c. D., etc. Any
desiring to "palaver" the public with
card, setting forth their humble merits and
what not, would doubtless be willing to
pay for the insertion at regular advertising
rates.
The County Executive Committee will call
the Primary Meetings as heretofore, and
the voters can proceed to ballot for candi-
dates for the several offices of Dele
gates, Sheriff, County Commissioners,
&C., &C., as the case may be. The tickets
and tally-ists will then be forwarded to
Elkton by judge selected for the purpose
by each Primary Meeting, and the result
be determined in the same manner as the
regular election, when the ticket will be
formed, composed of those having the plu-
rality of votes at the Primary Meetings.
These return delegates or judges will con-
stitute County Convention and select
delegates to the State Convention, appoint
Central or Executive Committee for the
county, and perform whatever duties are
requisite to keep up party organization.
This was the plan adopted by all but
two Districts, we believe, in 1869. There
were some who were opposed to it, but it
having been determined upon by the "high-
est tribunal " in such matters we appre-
bend it will have to be tested by fair trial,
and if it proves unsatisfactory it can be
abandoned. The old style of County Con-
vention never worked satisfactorily, and
gave opportunity for wire-pulling and the
selection of candidates, often, who were
essentially weak and unfit, frequently,
from the reason that the best men for the
offices had not been brought before the
public. The proposed change will have
the effect of curing this evil. which is, or
has becn a very serious one, and the merits
of the different aspirants will be can
vassed and made familiar to to the public
in advance of the day of election. We
want to see the entire Republican ticket
composed Of men of merit and standing in
the county this Fall, for this is the only
ticket that will secure a full vote of our
party. Political hacks cannot bring ont
the Republican vote, and the formation of
ticket out of that kind of lumber, would
only be setting it up to lie knocked down.