The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-06-07
"a Word for Conventisns.

rA Woro f0r Conv0ntlou6.
In our opinion the dissatisfaction 80 often ex-
pressed against the system of nominating can
didates by convention Of delegates from the
various townships, when sifted to the bottom. is
found to have no stronger foundation than the
chagrin and disappointment Of defeated Office
seekers. 9bese men place 80 high an estimate
snpon,t belt liabilities and claips upon the
people that they actually believe that a majority
of the voters must, of necessity, know and re-
cognize their pre- eminent fitness for the official
positions they aspire to, and, as q sequence, if
the convention refuses to nominate them, they
pretend to believe, and actually charge, that
the convention has been tampered with-bought
up by the village or some other clique or ring.
In their respective neighborhoods, these office
seekers, having little more tact than others,
and having the brass TO "talk out in meeting at
all the public gatherings, they come to believe that
their fame has reached all parts of the County
and the eyes of every voter is riveted upon them
as the coming men, eminently qualified to ac-
ceptaby perform the various duties required
in the public Offices. Under this fallacious sup
position they cannot see how it is possible for
an honest, independent aud intelligent body of
men, selected by the people from all parts of
the County, to SO 2isregard what they think
mux Be ny hss sa5Fs0sisT5s nonilsse
any but themselves For Office. To their minds
it is proof positive that the convention has been
bought up or influenced by clique or ring, who
are opposed to them individually, that the rights
of the "poor men, of the party have been sacri-
feed, and the country generally is going to the
dogs.
These men do not think for moment-per-
haps, in their superlativs self esteem, don't be-
lieve-that their equals and even superiors, in
every respect are living in every other section of
the County. But we can assure them it is so,
and when the members of the convention as
semble and compare notes it is found, almost
invariably, that the men who think them
selves tho most capable, most popular and most
entitled to Office, are men whom the people in
other parts Of the County know nothing about,
or, if known, are unpopular, and every township
has men eQually capable and fully entitled to
the sutfrages Of the people. The result is, the
convention selects such candidates as they sup
pose will be most acceptable to majority of the
people, with q due regard to the character and
q qualifications of the nominees.
We are aware that many good and pure men
have been oaptivated by the supposed greater
fairness to the voters of the Primary Election
system, but we are pleased to know that after
full consideration and discussion upon the sub
ject most Of them have become convinced taat
there would be more chances for log-roling and
unworthy candidates in the Primary elections
than there could be before convention Of hon
orable and iutelligentmen selected by the peo-
pie of each township. Besides, it must be evil
dent to all thinking hen that in the Primary
election euT fo~s1t for'instunte, could, in
great measure, cod rol any nomination, but in
q Convention 1t can have, comparatively, no
greater power than the smallest Township.
The Circular of the Executive Committee makes
the matter Sc plain that it is almost unnecessary
for us to soy anything upon the subject. We,
however, would call the attention of our citizens
-soreheads and ALTO the we'll known fact
that the Convention system has given to Union
County the best set of elective County officers in
the State, and we suppose that fact is satisfac-
tory to all, except those who are offering to fill
their places.