Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-11-28
For the Sentinel
The Primary Election System.


county, for several years past, appears TO be
growing more and more unpopular. That I'M
der its operations The sentiments Of the masses
are reflected can hardly be claimed by its
warmest advocates--if there be such persons.
And that, If it be continued, without some
material change, it will weaken and eventually
defeat the party, cannot be denied.
II is hardly necessary TO enumerate the de-
tails of this system. Anyone who has ever
observed primary has not failed to see
that the choice of presiding officer determined
everything. The presiding officer appoints the
retiring committee-his friends, of course
and friends of the candidates. The retiring
committee follow suit, and there's an end of
| the matter.
Now, how many men are there, who tho
they vote for Mr.. So-and-so, ms chairman, can
say that they are in favor of each and every
one Of the candidates he wishes nominated =?
Perhaps not so many as will be required for
delegates. Yet, under the system, what can
they do ? If the candidates of the chairman
are nominated at the County Convention, why
against their own judgment. Is it, therefore,
TO be wondered at that so little interest is Ia
ken in Primary Elections by the best men-or
that fealty to the regular ticket is weakened
The writer'of this communication has no
| personal reason to complain of the system; he
has never asked any favors from Convention
Of any kind, and has, at present, no intention
Of ever doing so. He is sufficiently satisfied
with the present democratic ticket, to vote it
clean-and do what he can TO induce others
into the same course So that this commune
cation is prompted by belief OF error in sys-
tenn, rather than in any present dissatisfaction
with its working-error to such an extent that
very great reason for dissatisfaction might be
wrought under it.
| If the people of the county require a change
of system-and it can hardly be doubted that
they dds il too early to agitate the matter
now that there is plenty Of time for an inter-
change of views on the matter amongst the
wisest and most patriotic of our citizens? To
start the matter the following system is sug-
gestcd
!. Let there be a County Committee conss-
ting of one from each election district
! 2. Let this committee have a list, taken
from the registration books, or otherwise, as
most practicable, of every democratic voter in
the county.
3. Let all persons wishing their names to go
before the Convention as candidates, send
| them to the chairman of this committee at
Rockville, to be entered by him in book kept
for that purpose, and let each of these names
with Office aspired TO be published in tie coun-
~ papers, eight, ten, or twelve weeks before
the election.
4. Let one or more canvassers be appointed
in each district, who, provided with list Of
voters in such district, shall visit, personally,
each voter, submit TO him list of names O
persons applying for nomination, and let The
voter, without argument or suggestion from
the canvasser, select from the names those h,
wishes nominated, and let the canvasser desig
nate snch choice opposite the voters name, il
a book properly arranged for the purpose.
These books to he kept in the office Of the
committee and subject to the inspection of any
| voter
5. Let these canvassers books be returned to
the committee, and lei the committee, on g
day of which notice shall have been duly Civ.
en-: proceed to count the vote publicly, and
declare the result. If, in the count of votes
different candidates for any one office, it be
found that no candidate has received major
ity, then let the candidate having the lowest
i number of votes for that Office cast the votes
given for him for one Of the other candidates
voted for, and proceed in like manner with
the next lowest candidate until one of the can
didates has majority of all the votes cast,
and let him be then declared by the commit.
tee the nominee.
6. Let the expenses of canvassers, statione-
ry, &C., be paid by the successful candidates
This system, think would reflect the pub
lie feeling and choice. 1t would, in great
measure, do away with rings and cliques.'
1t would give every man an opportunity oil
naming his man, and Of knowing that if his
man was not nominated, that he was beaten
fairly. 1t would takeaway all excuses from
boilers, for then they could not urge that they
had no say in the matter
But the writer is not welded to this system;
if another that will cure the defects of the
present system, or better than the one propos-
ed, should be suggested, he will cheerfully
second it. But something should be done, and
while there is plenty Of time, let us see what
can be done What says Gaucus What says
The County Central Committee
! Let us hear from you
ST. ROY.
Medley's District
| The above communication was received a
short time before the late election, but with
! held because there was not sufficient time to
act upon the suggestions. 1t seems to US that
the plan proposed by our correspondent, tho
it might effect the reform desired, is too cum
brous and expensive. To our mind the remedy
is as plain as the road to mill Put no sucl
ROVER in the chairman of the Primary Meet
ings. but lei the people retain it TO themselves
where it properly belongs, and let all nomina.
| TONS of whatever kind be made openly AND