Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-08-25
GCoMMUNICATED.l

Mr.. EDITOR Much discussion is now 60
ing on in the party as to the proper mode of
conducting primary elections and nominating
Conventions, aud therefore, I hope may be
pardoned for a few words in reply to "a Voice
from No. s." The plan suggested by No. s
is, believe, what is commonly called the
Crawford County Plan" A very decided
improvement upon this plan has been adopt
ed by the Executive Committee of Hartford
county. and by which the assembling Of any
convention is entirely obviated by the judges
of tho primary elections making their returns
of the votes cast directly to the Executive
Committee, who count the votes from all the
districts and announce as the candidates of
the, party those having the highest number of
votes in the whole county. This, think you
will agree with me, is an improvement upon
the plan of No. Shy which latter, the only
duty left for the Convention, except announc-
ing the result of the primary election, is that
Of deciding in case of a tie between candidates
the Hartford county plan meets this difficulty
by publicly casting lots. Therefore, say,
if we are to have change in the mode Of
nominating candidates and are to do it by the
direct vote Of the people in primary election,
instead of by convention as heretofore, let as
adopt the Hartford county, rather than the
Crawford county plan, or that suggested by
No. s. think by a reference to the Hartford
county plan, as published in the Baltimore
Sun of the 10th instant, you will see that it
is very nearly perfect in its details, and
especially commend the mode therein Of Sc
lecting the Executive Committee as preferable
to the self.appointing and life tenure plan in
practice in this county. q ala@F ~
But, sir. am opposed to these "new de-
partures" from the old and settled practice Of
the party unless I can find better reason for
them than those advanced by No. s. can
see no good to be accomplished by the pro-
posed change, but think can forsee much
of evil. sifta. .s.....t.,. - 90 az M
agree with No. 5, that there is some dis
cord within the party, but l am not aware
that it has gone to the extent intimated. But
any dscord, however slight, should be at once
harmonized, unless we are prepared for the
domination Of the Radical party, composed as
bit is in our midst of ignorant black men, and
few white scalawags, who are a disgrace to
humanity. Now, one Of the most efectual
modes of harmouizing party is by the nomi-
nation of the best men from its rank and file
for the different Offices to be filled; by so do
ing not only does the public secure faithful
and honest servants who will be fearless in
the discharge Of their duties, but the party
/ the mass of the party-gets rid of all rivalries
between politicians, all cliques and rings, and
the necessity for taking sides for or against
them, and the conservative public, who do
not recognize party fealty, will always sup
port such nominations. When say nomi-
nate the best men, certainly do not mean
the best politicians. What l mean is to go
into the walks of business life, and there Sc
lect your best men. Go to your energetic
farmer, to your industrious mechanic. your
successful merchant. your eminent profession
al men, who by the positions they occupy in
their respective spheres give evidence of. suf-
fcient capacity to become public servants.
Such men as those will administer their off :
ices intelligently and economically. Strength