Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-06
RnTHERraRn rr0yING.

Some seem to think it too early for
the people to have their attention ''dis-
tracted' by politics. We notice, how
ever, that the office-seekers are out al-
ready In much more than sufficient
force. No doubt these gentlemen would
be very happy to have the dear people
keep quiet indefinitely, and let them 60
on printing for the campaign until one
or another thinks he can "corner" any
attempt of the people to rule him off the
track. 1t was this multiplicity of can
didates so early in the year that induc-
ed us to suggest organization by coun-
ties as a means for cutting off super
fuous candidates. The axiom, Vigi-
lance is the price of liberty, proves as
true to-day as when first uttered, and
unless the people are vigilant, host of
Independent candidates may get affairs
into such another snarl as in 1872. We
do not expect every county to organize
instanter. Some time is necessary to
do good work, such as viii stand the
test. Different counties are situated
differently, and will have to determine
the time and mode for themselves. All
We seek is to SCI the people to thinking
and planning, seeing that the army of
candidates are already at work, busy
as beavers.
Elsewhere we publish a call for a
mass convention of Rutherford county,
to be held at Murfreesboro the first
Monday in April, and signed by some
fifty prominent citizens. This is a
good Snen, as proving that the people
are alive to the situation and the need
for some plan of cooperation to secure
good officials. We learn from the Muir
treesbOro Monitor that on the I'd inst.
ga full and harmonious meeting Of the
candidates for the various county Of
fees was held at the courthouse, and
after a free discussion the following
propositions were unanimously agreed
on and submitted to the people:
Il. The Magistrates and Constables
of the various districts throughout the
country to open and hold an election
under the State laws governing cleo
lions, on the first Saturday, which is the
second day of May, 1874. No person
being allowed to vote at said primary
election unless he lives IN the precinct
in which he offers his vote. The Con-
stable in each district to be receiver In
said elections; and in case there should
be no Constable, the Magistrates be re-
quested to ask some responsible person
to ask as Constable, to take charge Of
the ballot-box; the votes to be counted
by the parties holding the election, and
the result Of said election to be report
ed to the Coroner of the county, who
is requested to aggregate the vote poll
ed.
SO. The Coroner of the county, on
ascertaining the result, shall make not
ifeation through the county papers of
said result, and the parties receiving
the highest number of votes, shall be
declared the nomineeof the Democratic
conservative party, for the offices to
which they are aspiring.
IS. Each and every one assembled
here to-day hereby binds himself to
support said nominee, and to acquiesce
in the choice of the people"
If this primary election plan can be
carried out in Rutherford, it is the most
perfect, as being direct imitation Of
the ballot-box. In Ohio and other
States 1t is the result and elimination Of
thorough organization. How far it |
may be practicable without some pre-
liminary safeguards, is problematic.
The experiments IN few counties here
IN 1872 were not altogether satisfac-
tory, because they lacked the necessary
basis. Although not 50 stated,
we presume that no voter likely to sup
port Radicals viii be allowed any voice |
in this selection of the opposing can
didates Such is the universal prac.
tee IN the Northern States where the |
plan originated. a committee Of men
acquainted with the personality of the |
party throughout each precinct, is ap- |
pointed to superintend the polls. The |
above agreement is signed by a large
number Of candidates, among them
no less than eighteen aspirants for tax
collector, showing the imperative need |
for some such plan. We notice in an
column Of announcements a
few names which do not appear affixed
to the agreement, but We presume they
are Republicans. The UUtreeSbOrO
Monitor thinks the county contest is
virtually ended" as it anticipates that
the agreement for primary election
VIII be endorsed by the mass-meeting
called for the first Monday in April.
In order to insure such an suspicious
result, the mass-meeting should
be a full and truly representative body.