The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-23
Ghe Columbian.
BLOOMSBURF, PA.
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 81, 1871.
The Rules OF Nomination.


The Rules OF Nomination.
We spread out at full length bcfor,
our readers this week the rules regulat
ing nominations in this county asadopt
ed by the Democratic County Conven
tion Of December Goth, 1870, aud alst
the apportionment of delegates to dis
tricts under the said rules. The nom
mating Convention will meet on tn,
second Tuesday of August, the delegates
thereto to be chosen on the Saturday
before.
Upon several of the rules Of nomin
alton some observations at this time
may be useful and proper.
QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS.
The 18th, 10th and Goth rulos contain
stringent but just provisions to insure
sound votes at delegate elections Inas'
much as these are new rules they were
very properly made prospective by the
December Convention, and they will
como into full force only at future del
egate elections. Thus full notice is Civ.
en- that forfeiture of the right to vote al
delegate elections will be enforced
against all persons who shall hereafter
oppose the nominations of the party
But 1t is not to be understoo cd that these
prospective regulations repeal or dis.
pense with any past rule or usage as to
the qualifications of voters at delegate
elections. Heretofore, no person has
been qualified to vote at delegate elec-
tion who was not legal voter in the
district where he offered to vote, or who
was not known and recognized as a
member of the Democratic party, and
repeated opposition to party nomina.
tions and especially to leading ones,
was always good cause for rejecting a
vote. The new rules are simply more
definite and stringent than former rules
or practice, and none of the former re-
quisites for voting have been abolished
or dispensed with. The 7th rule is
very similar to those which follow in
its spiritand general objects. 1t requires
fidelity from all persons who desire to
become candidates for nomination, dis
qualifying them for given period in
case they shall oppose the nominees of
the party at any future election.
e INSTRUCTION OF DELEGATES.
Rulo 10Th is very important one,
and gives form to ust principle ofrep-
resentative responsibility. Delegates
instructed by the voters who elect them
must obey their instructions, and votes
given by them in violation of their in
structions shall be disallowed by the
Convention. This sharp, just rule re-
quires no remarks for its vindication.
1t speaks for itself and will command
general approval. But it may be OBJ.
served here that instructions are to be
reasonably understood and construed.
When given in favor of candidate for
nomination they will not prevent the
withdrawal Of his name If done by au-
thority or In a regular manner by con.
sent of the Convention. The rule only
means that while he remains candidate
delegates instructed for him cannot be-
tray him or withhold from him their
support. IT is further to be observed,
that instructions to delegate must be
given by the voters who elect him and
not by those who vote against him. For
the principle is thar the delegate repre-
sents only the persons who vote for him ;
that he owes to them and to them only
complete fidelity and obedience.
DUTY OF ELECTION OFFICERS.
The Judge and Clerk who hold del
egate election in any district, are, by
Rule 6, to keep an accurate list of voters
at the election and also tally of the
votes polled, and they are to make re-
turn of those papers to the county Con-
vention along with their certificate of
the result and by Rule 18th they are
also to report all instructions given at
the election. These duties should be
carefully attended to by all election
officers. AS the rules require the cleo
tion to be by ballot, no marking or any
form of open voting should be permit
ted.
APPORPIONMENT OF DELEGATES.
The number of delegates to which
each district is entitled under the rules,
appears in the table of apportionment.
The distribution is based upon the vote
for Governor in 1869 and results in a
convention of 81 members, which is an
increase of IA over the former number.
The Convention will not be too large
for the convenient transaction of bust
ness and the moderate increase in the
number of delegates will afford fuller
and more satisfactory representation to
the people. Upon strict principle OF
numbers three or four of the smallest
districts would be entitled TO but one
delegate each, but there were several
good reasons for allowing them more
liberal repres entation. AS they had two
delegates each under the old rules they
would not have been satisfied with a
smaller number under the new. If they
had but one delegate each, the new
plan of voting would not apply to them
and therefore would not operate equally
throughout the county. These and other
considerations, justified the allowance
to them of two delegates each by which
the whole number of members in Con.
vention was made to be 67 instead of 63
MANNER OF VOTING.
All delegates must be elected by bal
lot as under the old rules. Tickets
written or printed, are to be used con
tanning one or moro names, not exceed
ing In number the number of delegate
to be chosen from the district. Blu
the voter has new and valuable priv
ilege never enjoyed by him before. Un
der the 9th rule he may give his vote
to one candidate or any smaller numbe
OF candidates than the whole number O
delegates to be chosen from his district
He is not compelled to vote in this man
ner but he may thus vote II he shal
think proper. tits right Of which h
cannot be deprived and which he ma,
assert under all circumstances. Thi
rule is but an application of the prime