The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-04-30
Primary Elections.

referred the subject Of primary elections
TO tho people, to be voted upon by them
in their clubs. We say wisely. because
the strength developed both for and
against the plan was such that. however
the question might have been carried,
dissatisfaction would in all probability
have ensued. As it is, there is no rea-
son why the further consideration and
settlement of the matter should IN any
wise disturb the harmony of the party.
Under the direction Of the County Ex-
ccutivo Committee the several clubs
will vote upon the question on given
day, every voter will cast his ballot as
he chooses, and the result will be re-
ported TO the Executive Committee. who
will aggregate the entire vote for and
against the system of primary elections
and make the same known BY publica-
tion. In this way, it will be determined
in the fairest manner possible whether
or not the plan shall be adopted in ker-
shaw County.
let US now discuss the merits and
demerits Of the plan as they appear to
us.
Tn the first place, it is urged by
those who are opposed to the measure
that it will entail upon the party end
Jess trouble. In reply it may be said
that the interests involved in the COM
;ng campaign arc of such magnitude
that We should be content to undergo
any amount of trouble aud annoyance
10 make our success sure. But there Is
no reason why there should be much
trouble. The clubs have TO hold meetings
anyhow, and they need not consume much
time in votiog.
Another objection Is that. with nom
;naticns to be made by primary eiee-
tions, there will he candidate from al
most every household in the county, re-
sulting in much confusion and failure
10 make nominations until after several
elections shall have been he'd. This
argument may be successfully met aud
related by the statement of the fact
that nothing will tend so efectualIy to
diminish the number Of Candidates as
primary elections. No man, whose reas"a-
ing faculties are un;Irph;red, could te
prevailed upon to 90 before the people
with certain defeat staring him inthci face.
Nominations would probably be made at
the first election certainly at the see
oa1 because rule would likely be
adopted requiring that all except GER
tain number Of the highest candidates
should be dropped after the first elec'
tion. Such a rule would be perfectly
fair for all parties, because the strongest
men would surely run ahead from the
first.
A third objection is, that the people
will not come out and vote at the prl-
marics. This seems to be presumlng
rather muchupon the indifference and ap
athy of the patriotic voters of Kershaw
county in reference to matters which con-,
Germ them most vitally. The elections
would probably not bo ordered until late
in August or early in September, and
ty that time almost every man in the
county will have become thoroughly en-
listed in favor Of one or another OF the
several candidates who will offer for the
different Offices, and would it possible
attend the meeting Of his club and vote
for the men Of his choice.
Thus far VIC have stated and answered
the objections to the system OF primary
elections. Wo will DOW mention some
Of their advantages.
BY primary elections, every Democrat
can vote for the candidate Of his choice,
and the strongest ticket possible will be
nominated, rendering victory more GER
tain at the polls on the 9th Of Novem-
ber. Weak candidates may be and Of
ten are nominated by Conventions.
From its very nature it is impossible for
other than strong candidates to be
nominated at a primary election.
By this plan, the solidarity of the
party will be preserved, aud most ef'
iectual quietus put upon oil who may
have independent proclivitie'. 10 other
words as on esteemed friend, who re-
sides in the country. and who ispresident
Of one of the largest and most effective
clubs in the county, says: "lt builds
around our party fence, horse high,
buIlstrong and pig tight. and if'here is
in this enclosure man who is unwilling
to 60 with US. let him climb over or
,,o, nm tkeoutside, aDd 20