The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-02-19
PARTY ORGANIZATION.
Proceedings Of the State Demo.
cratic Executive GOnlmittee.

cratic Executive GOmmittee.
The meeting Of the State Democratic
Executive COMMITTEE in Columbia on
Thursday and Friday last, Was one of
great importance, as being The initiatory
step of the campaign of 1878. The
first business Of the meeting was the
election of q chairman to FIJI the vacan-
cy occasioned by the resignation of the
Hon. A. G. Haskell. On motion of
Gen. Johnson Hagood,4 Gen. j. D.
Kennedy was unanimously elected, aud
thus was accomplished the FIRST and ose
of the most vital moves in the CAM
paign. Popularity. intelligence, liberal
views, experience in organization are
the chief requirements Of the position,
and Gen Kennedy unfes all these in a
remarkable degree. Al comparatively
young man, successfuL military COM
mander and a popular political leader.
he has been most fifty chosen to prepare
the Democracy of the State for victory
in the approaching campaign.
1t will he seen by the recommenda-
,ions which the committee make that
they have come out squareiy for nomi-
nations by primary elections, in place of
the old and much abused club meet
ings.
The committee, after full and earn
est discussion Of the situation. and the
various propositions received and sub
mitted by the various members, finally
adopted the following recommendations:
That The State Executive Committee
of the Democratic party Of South Car
olina recommends an Immediate reon-
ganization Of the same, in view Of the
campaign of 1878, and that county
conventions be called as soon practica-
BILE in the several counties, to elect Off
! GERS to serve for the next two years.
Where local clubs Of the last CAM
paiga are in existence, that they be res
organized by the election OF officers to
serve for the ensuing two years, and as
many additional clubs formed as may be
deemed essential to the success Of Sthe
party. Also, that the committee on
registration forthwith make q complete
registration OF all voters, classifying
them as white and black, Democrat aad
Republican.
That the county executive commit.
tee consist of tie county chairman and
the presidents Of the local Clubs.
That the county chairman be ex Off
clio chairman Of the county executive
committee, and Of all county convcu-
tions.
That the system Of prim1ry elections
by ballot be adopted as the mode of
nominating candidates for county Off
GERS and members of the General AS.
sembly. While the principle of pri-
mary elections should be at once an.
nounced, it is the decided judgment Of
the State Executive Committee that the
nominations by primary elections should
not take place until later period in the
campaign, and in regard to which fur
ther recommendations will be made
hereafter as to the details for conduct
ing the said elections.
The following instruction to county
chairmen was also adopted
When the county conventions have
elected officers, TIE new county chair
man will ut once report TO the secretary
Of the State Executive Committee,
giving the names and postoffice address
of the officers chosen, together with the
names and postcflices of the presidents
of the local clubs, and the number and
membership Of the several clubs.
The f)regoing recommendations are
based on the following articles Of the
constitution of the par y, adopted by
the State Convention in August, 1876,
and are intcuded TO show what. in the
opinion Of the Executive Committee, is
the best mode Of carrying out those ar
ticles:
Article |. There shall be one or more
Democratic clubs organized in each
election precinct, each cf which clubs
shall have a distinct li!ie-"1hc -
Democratic Club'-and shall elect n
pres dent. one or more vice presidents, n
recording and corresponding seer ciary
and treasurer. and shall have the fol
lowing working committees, of not less
than three members each A commit
tee on registration, an executive CON-
mittec, and such other committee as to
each club may seem expedient,
Art = The meetings of the clubs
should be frequent, after the opening
of the canvass. ard some member ofthe
club or invited speaker deliver an ad
dress at each meeting, if practicable.
Art. 3. The president shall have
power to call an extra meeting of tho
club, and - members Of the club
shall constitute quorum for the trans.
action Of business.
Art. 4. The clubs in each county
shall be held together and operate under
the control Of a county executive COM
mitlce, which shall consist of one mem
Der from cach club, TO b, nominated By
the clubs and elected by the county
convention, and such other members a:
the convention may add.
The executive committee. when elec
ted, shall appoint its own officers ane
fill all vacancies which may arise wher
the convention is not in session. Th'
tenure of Office Of the executive COM
pittgs sluu bs uuHl the prxt gsgsre