Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-02
GFor the Spirit of ]. fferson.l
The Executive Committee and the
County Convention.

L 10 bAoSu1lV6 OUuilltL66 anu Inc
County Convention.
The action of our Executive Committee in
regard to the nominating Convention is subs
jected TO criticism. The complaint is, that
the committee fixed the basis of representa-
ton. Their authority to do this is disputed
People can get along well enough if they
don't mix things up, and the trouble here is.
that tins question Is being perpexed hy con
fnsing with 1t another inquiry OF totally diff
ferent nature, viz: what size meeting is best
calculated to subserve the purposes of nomi
Mating convention. The power of the Com
mittee is one thing-the wisdom of it's action
another Hence the subject naturally divides
itself into too branches:
L. Had the Committee authority to say the
basis OF representation should be one delegate
to fifty votes?
Admitting its authority, then comes the
inquiry:
H. Will the Convention be too smarl?-
This last, is simply question of party policy.
1t is plain principle of law, readily APP
proved by the common sense of men. that the
authority OF an agent is coexteusve with and
limited by the purposes of the agency
Hence it VIC ascertain the objects. to effectuate
which, this committee was appointed, we at
tain measure of its power. Now, it was
constituted:
l. To obtain and preserve party harmony
and party organization.
2. To investigate and decide questions of
party necessity, policy and expediency.
3. 10 advance party interests and manage
generally the details and business affairs of
the organization.
In word, tho object of the Committee is
to aggregate and concentrate the influence of
ha . a.,
Executive Committees. the people would be
obliged to have too or three mass meetings
before every election, to ascertain aud agree
upon line of campaign.
The Committee, three in each Tnwnahir.
selected by the people, general acents to
whom the voters have entrusted tue functions
aud sphere of duty Indicated
All admit that if the conservative vote is
split. the radicals can elect their man. Peo
pie may figure upnn the county vote and twist
the figures as they please but the result is
bound to be the same
Conservative division means radical success.
The present canvass is full of emharrass>
mcnt. Aye! the party is in eminent danger
ct defeat. mass meeting in the midst of
Harvest is out of the question. Twenty I've
or thirty candidates are in the field. each con
hdent of success and unwilling to make con
tahoring to increase the discomfort in onr
ranks. Several gentlemen who have hereto
FIRE acted with the conservative party now
threaten to run against its nominees. Others
say'hey expect toabide the Convention if thew
think it fair"
Now, the question occurs is the Execu-
tive C"mmitte rnhcd with sufficient authority
tn meet this emergency
One Township wants to make the nomi-
mating convention huge, unwie.dv mass
meeting, which as matters stand is like;v to
break up in confusion another Township
desires few gentlemen of approved intelli-
sence. to meet together quietly and disras.
siona'eiy consider and determine which can
didate is the strongest. Who shall decide
between these two TOWNSHIPS?
Nobody?
Shall Charlestown, for example, appoint
800 delegates and Kable,own two
Here is question which must of necessity
be determined before the primary meetings
are held The peculiar situation of our affairs
forced this question on the Committee. There
was no other tribunal to pass upon it, Under
these circumstances, these gentlemen, reprc-
sentng every part Of the county. believing
the subject came within the scope of the duries
entrusted to them by the people, after full
consultation. decided the question, aud we are
confident they will be sustained by the sober
second thought of the entire party they rep-
resent.
As to the comparative advantages of large
and small conventions, that is a matter about
| which there has been some diversity of opinion.
but in view of the action of the Committee.
is not now open for discussion.
There is to be one delegate to every so
voters. IT good and true men are selected
there can be no difficulty or trouble; and if
the primary meetings elect delegates who are
either incompetent OF tricky, it will be the
result OF one of two causes :-either because
the people neglect the duty of attending the
Township meetings, or because they do not
exercise proper care in selecting their own
agents. j. MN
| Es- The Democratic State Convention of
Ohio assembled at Cleveland. last week, Reso-
buttons were adopted amid great enthusiasm,
affirming the Cincinnati platform. and request,
ing the delegates to the National Convention
at baltimore to support the nominations of
Greeley and Brown.
Gs- The Hon. David Davis has formally
declined the nomination for President by the
Columbus Convention of Labor Reformers.
@- The Hon. ]. Randolph Tucker is