The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-12-25
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CON-
VENTION.

the Republican Commit
tee of King County held a meeting
last Saturday to consider the subjec.
matter Of the manner Of choosing dele
gates to the Constitutional Convention,
and as the result of their deliberations
the Committee make certain recon-
mendations, which We publish in ano-
Their column by request.
Under ordinary circumstances the
voluntary advice given by this Com
mittee to the Territorial Committee
wonld seem to be an unwarranted pre-
sumption; but the improperly Of this
action of the Committee will appear less
when we take into consideration the
fact that numerous suggestions have
been made through the newspapers Of
the Territory with regard to the man.
mel Of nominating candidates for men,
bership in the Convention, and in most,
if not all the plans proposed, the Terri
toriaf Committees OF the two political
parties were to make nominations Of
candidates to represent the Territory as
large as the three Judicial Districts. If
the Committee are Of the opinion that
nominations made in that manner
would not give satisfaction to the peo-
pie, there can BE- no improperly 10 say
ing so. The voice Of the people may
be heard through the medium of their
local political organizations. as well as
through the press. and in this matter
the people should be heard as we'll in
the nomination Of candidates as in Sc
lecting from the candidates presented
by the members of the Convention.
We are satisfied that the plan pro-
posed by the committee 10 the best that
has yet been presented. and will meet
with general appreciation.
Noninations made by the convention
Of delegates chosen by the people. may
involve additional expense and trouble,
but will commend themselves to the
people as being the work of the pso
pie. while on the other hand, candi.
dates put forth by the committees. even
though they should be otherwise unex-
ceptionable, would have to contend
AGAINST the popular preju dice which
Wouh inevitably be created by disap-
poiptad candidates and their friends
AZ 1euf{lscf onrse denounce the com
llttessas pstty cliques. and their nom
5Aeas as ring candidates.
Already there has been much censure
passed upon the Legislature for fixing
the number Of members of the Conven-
ton at emily fifteen; aud it has been
freely asserted that the Legislature
was manipulated by the Governor and
u few others in the ring who wish to
hold controlling influence over the
convention.
There is not the slightest evidence
upon which to found such charge and
it is made only by those who have nc
regard for truth or vino feel sore and
disappointed in anticipation Of their
being unable to have their names in.
scribed where they will live forever. on
the roll Of the trainers Of a constitution
of a State.
Fifteen members Of the Convention
is enough. the work will all be done by
a few. four or five at lnost, no matter
how large number compose the body.
The majority of members will be there
merely to look on while the few do the
work. or else to consume time in graft
flying their own vanity in making ass-
less speeches. 1t is so in all public de-
Lucrative assemblies Therefore the
people who must pay for the luxury
would receive no benefit frola having
the Convention composed of a larger
number with a corresponding increase
OF expense. and yet. no doubt the judg.
ment Of many honest aud sober minded
people has been influenced by the criti-
cisms of the chronic grumblers, and
that many, simply because they have
heard others do 50. condemn the Leeis.
lature for not providing for q much
larger number OF aspirants after im.
mortal fame. While this is so, it must
be apparent TO all that it would be use
less for the committees 10 make nomi.
nations.
With regard to the expense Of hold
ing the nominating conventions, that is
a matter that is entitled to but little
consideration, for the reason that the
burden will be certain to fall upon
those who will bear i: voluntarily and
cheerfniiy; and besides. If the sugges-
ton of the King County Committee is
adopted. the same convention can nom
mate candidates tor officers TO be elected
next November. and thus the expense
of two primaries the same year will be
avoided.
WHAT would be . more appropriate
Christlnss present than Singer sew
inn MaNhSneNA Ismian<.n ill. Al,.-. ~.