Middletown transcript., 1874-07-04
Nominating by Ballot.

At a meeting Of the committee 10 amend the
rules 0f the Democratic party in this county, ap
poisted at The recent county meeting, an amend
newt in accordance with the spirit of the reselu-
tfep offered by james II Ray, Esq, of Newark,
was adopted by the committee, and now awaits
the action Of the County Convention to be Assem-
Died in September. In the meantime it behooves
the members of the party to weigh well this pro-
posed alteration and see to it, that the delegates
to the convention selected at the primary meet
ings, will reject the true sentiments of the peo-
ple on this subject.
= change of so radical and important nature
~ that Of this proposed amendment should not
De entered upon without proper consideration.
y becomes men Of intelligence and forethought
TO revoIve the matter thoroughly in their own
MINDS that they may be able to understand what
they are about to do
The selection of candidates by general ballot
aoubtiess has its advantages, but whether they
are sufnclent to outweigh or even counter-bal-
ance the advantages of the long-tried system of
nominating by convention should be well con-
sideTed.
On the one hand it s asserted that convention
nominations are frequently controlled by, aud
offer opportunity for the operation Of rings and
cliques.
on the other hand it is claimed that nominate
ing by ballot will open wide door to political
tricksiers and elecioneerers to secure places upon
the ticket for men who will be plant instruments
in their hands, but who would never have se-
cured the nomination at the hands Of the more
prudent and thinking portion of the party
II is we'll known fact that there are in all DO
htical parties large number Of men who Judge
candidates for Office; not from their reputation
ior personal worth or capacity for the position
tney seek, but from the standpoint OF popularity
1t is OF no consequence to these men whether
candidate is capable and honest, but if he is
good fellow and 'liberal,'' he is much more
acceptable to them; and whenever a man of this
character enters political contest it too often
happens that no matter how superior in every
way his opponent may be, the ''good fellow is
successful, however unfit lie may be for the Office.
IL then, the selection of candidates for the Lew
Nonrt and Legislature are left to the people at
barge may it not happen that men who can make
themselves popular with the masses. and vet are
upon the ticket for those offices? We do not
say That such will be the case and do not pro-
pose to enter into lengthy discussion of this
subject ut the present line but merely throw out
these suggestions with the hope of inducing men
10 thiLk upon these things, and to consider the
SUBJECT well before the final action shall be taken
upon it next fall. We earnestly hope that the
matter will not be treated lightly, but that ii
VIII DC thoroughly and earnestly discussed be-
lore the meeting of the convention, and do cor
daily invite an expression of views on the diff
ierent SIDES OF the question through our columns.
all manly and impersonal communications,
without regard to their views, will be treated
with equal courtesy. We are only deslous that
the subject may be thoroughly ventilated, that
men may understand and act for themselves with
their eyes open.