Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1878-05-11

House, where the club meets at night,
when the merchants and clerks are at
leisure, and almost all are within
near walking distance of the hall,
when the last delegation was sent to
the convention the highest delegate
only received 81 votes out af clu b
numbering ovor 20o
in the primary system however,
the Importance Of the matter, the
natural interest excited, and the
length CT time the polls are open, will
be likely to bring out better pro
portional representation, and more
atisia ctorily reflect the voice Of the
pc oplc.
4,h. A frivolous objection is made
to some oath suggested by the State
Convention. Now all such details of
arrangements arc left to the several
counties to adjust according to their
wishes. Therefore this objection is
anticipated. Besides, whatever OBJ
legations rest upon At Democrat in
the primaries, are equally hinding
upon him in conventions
9th. 1t is said tllnt the machinery
OF the primaries is too cumbersome
and expensive. / am utterly unable
to see where either the cumbersome
ness or eNl,nsc comes in. Even if
he managers of elections require
compensation, what is this trifing
amount in comparison to the object
aimed Mt. AS to the iUtricacv of
machinery; because Fairfield, Now
berry, Williamsburg and other coun-
ties that have adapted the prima ry
system have dawn up their plans
with pains and legal precision, why
should this be made bug bear? 1t
would Ge as reasonable to refuse to
accept II tract of land because the
tItIe-dced was too long and mono.
tOnous.
9th. 1t is argued that the primary
system Is dangerous be;ore Il poIiti-
cal enemy superior in numbers. But
is not this danger greater in the CON
vcntion system ? The danger here
alluded to is from :ha boiling of
defeated candidates. And is not the
convention bolter n much more for
milable adversary than the primary
boter, because while the former goes
out with the common and plausible
argument that he was defeated in the
convention by ring delegates, and
that the people woa;I reverse the
decision, the latter cullics the dead
weight OF bcing already defeated by
the people.
For the same reasons there is less
danger Of boiling ut all frJm the prim-
aries, and ther. fore more hope o:
haEaesay.
7th. 1t is said that it may entail
numerous elections. Til. is un-
necessary. 1t can be - arr ,nyed that
one primary election will suffice.
| have thus endeavore.l, Mr.. Edi.
tor, to meet some Of the objections to
the primary systt III, all Of which |
tl'rk nc shown be applicable in a
stronger degree to the conve ntion
system. Having already trespassed
too much upon yonr space, | will
draw this article to close by making
IL brief summary of the advantages of
the primar. over the convention sys-
TEN.
lst. 1t is more Democratic, com.
ing closer 70 the people. and giving a
better chance for the expression of
the popular will
2nd. 1t is more apt to give satisfac.
ton, and keep the party together.
3rd. 1t pres, hts greater obstacles
to wire pullers, and gives them less
hope of success.
4th, 1T WILL BE THE DEATH KNELI
OF FUSION.
None but straightnut Democrats
stand any chan &C ut primaries. Flu
slonists may as well turl their tents.
The only hope of fusion and fusion
ISIS is in the convention, where prom
inent Democrats AMI Republicans