The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-04-24

siOnaI District.
We see that the chairman of the
state democratic executive committee
has, through the press, recommended
the calling of conventions throughout
the state for the purpose of nominating
candidates for the constitutional con-
stitutional, to assemble on the first
Monday in September next. We have
had no communication with the chair
man upon this subject, and deem it
proper to lay before the people of this
district our views in reference to the
proprety of such u course.
As Il state measure we think that the
action OF the chairman is eminently
wise and proper. In the five other
districts of our state there exists Il me-
cessity for such nominating conven-
lions. The friends of the late domi-
nant party form a respectable minority
in each of those districts, and if the
votes of the party were not concen-
trated upon its candidates combiDa-
lions might be effected that would de-
feat the will of majority of the
friends of good government.
1t is this necessity that gives weight
to the deliberations of conventions,
and insures the acquiescence of the
people in the support of their NOM
inees. We believe that whenever slch
a necessity does not exist u much more
accurate reflex of public sentiment is
reached at the ballot box than in con-
ventions. Such would not be the case
if the people living remote from the
voting places would leave their bust
ness and take an interest in primary
conventions. But we find by expert
ence that they do not do so, and in our
deliberations we should be guided not
by what the people ought to do, but
by what they will do.
In this congressional district we do
not believe that such II necessity any
where exists. And notwithstanding
there may be more candidates than
delegates allowed, yet we have no
doubt that the friends of democracy
will have no difficulty in electing in
each senatorial district good and true
men, who will labor faithfully to give
us constitution worthy of the future
greatness of our state.
But if at any time before the first
Monday in August next different
state of facts should be developed in
any county or senatorial district, then
we would deem it advisable for the
local committees to take immediate
action and call convention of their
respective districts and nominate can
didates.
For another reason, we do not deem
ii advisable to generally hold conven-
lions in this congressional district to
nominate candidates for the constitu-
tional convention. 1t is provided by
the act calling a constitutional conven-
ton that each elector, at the time of
casting his vote for delegates to the
convention, shall also vote for or
against the convention. And it is eX-
ceedingly important that large vote
should be polled In north Texas and a
full expression of the will of the peo-
pie he had upon this subject, as the
calling of that convention will depend
in great measure upon the action of
this portion of the state.
There can be no doubt that a much
fuller expression Of the public will can
be obtained without nominating con-
yentions than with them. The demo-
cratic majority in this congressional
district and in each and every county
in it, is so overwhelming that nomi-
nation, by the party, is almost equiva-
lent to an election and hence, the
majority of voters apprehendlng no
danger of the defeat of their candidate,
lose all interest in the election and the |
result is that a very small vote is
polled. A full vote at this election for
delegates to this convention will do
much toward giving us that weight in |
the deliberations of the state to which |
we are justly entitled, and which for
the above reason has hitherto been /
denied us.
We do not believe that it is proper 1
to nominate candidates for the senate
and lower house before the assembling
of this convention. During the last
session of the legislature, a portion OF
the senate sought to engraft upon the
bill calling a constitutional convention
a provision for the election of senators
and representatives at the general cleo
ton for delegates to the convention
and majority of the legislature wise
y voted it down. The effect of such
Elections or nominations would be
10, I'm a measure, forestall the action of
he convention. five are to have
convention, and we be-
ieye that il is the earnest wish OF a
vast majority of the friends Of good
the state that ge should
nave one, then we should select our
best men for delegates and leave thefn
free and untrammeled in the discharge
IF their duty.
GEORGE n. AIBRFDGE,
chairman Executive Cominitfee, Third Con-
gressional District