The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-11-07
Urinary EIeetiol,s.

| Last week We published the resolutions
adopted by the so.called public meeting
held In Hillsboro on the 10Th inst to
remedy certain suggested difficulties
standing In tile way OF a fair expression
oftl.e public wish In the matter Of the
nomination Of candidates. Iii those reso-
lutions, the plan Of pTimary elections was
proposed as the solution Of HE difficulty,
and the mode by which the wicked
packers OF Conventions might be headed
of. TO one who knows all the truein-
wardness of such Conventions, thewAy 10
battle their wickedness ought to be plain
enough, aud there is hone 50 primitive, so
simple, so honest us ore by which the
people speak directly III their proper per-
SONS. is not this what ~ meant by pri-
mary elections? So Mr.. Turner would
have the people believe, and then all the
wicked Instructors Of his path TO public
honors would be brushed sumnariiy aside.
Have they not thwartcd him III his path 70
the Legislature, to Congress, To the Gus
Jernatorial chair. 10 the United States
Senate? Have they not rudely thrust
him aside and elevated unworthy and I'M
deserving men on his rniii? Aid there's
fore Mr.. Turner lakesa br0ad scope, SWEEPS
with wise provision over tile whole
State, mud guards his future progress 10
eacl, und all u these coveted posts BY the
securities OF these primary elections.
But let us examined little Into the
character Of elections. aud see In what the
peculiar virtue 81 primary elections cons
sist. We will say noliiings about Com
ycntions. They may be, aud probably
have been, packed. Mr.. Turner can tell Us
more about that Than We know. But NE
will contrast the superior security Of cleo
tons held under existing laws with the
absolute irrespoisibilily Of those uhder
the primary election plan. Legal elec-
tiuns can only be held at stated times and
places. by officers designated and authori-
zed 10 hold them. with power TO exclude
unqualified persons, ana, uudrr the COM
paision ~ oath and penalty. 70 make true
returns Of such elections 10 officers duly
sworn 70 count, compare and declare the
result. BY the observance Of tneso pre-
scribei sorins, aud by due precauiion, a
fair elecliom is possible. We do hear, In
deed. Of ballot stufing, OF Illegal voting,
and Of tie unlawful machinery by which
results are made lie subjec, ~ contests.
Do primary elections promise any better
secnrily car hpurst expression Of opinion?
They are bsld under 40 authority There
h NJ responsibility Tor ulcIr correclness'
There Is no securiIy FOR the integrity 81
tie ballot A vote may be ever 80 full or
80 honest. But anybody lnay open aud
tamper with The returns, aud nooody :
liable TO any penalty. The whole pro-
ceeding ais voluntary. Among people
Of Arcadinn simplicity primary elections
wvuld be plain aud honest way Q: get>
Ting III Il,r popular will. Ia the present
generations, trained Ia NJ the nts % de.
ceplion, tits al insuIttoilie people 70 sug.
gest 10 liiein a plan intended % trick AID
deceive them, aud 10 accomplish in-
directly Wy cooked returns o. primary
elections, what canuut be done w Con.
ycnIions, packed Or uat packed.
Let Us hold on To the present plan, un.
III soms one less Interested than Mr..
Turner suggests more fair and feasible
one.