Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1878-08-23
Local Correspondence.
CONVENTIONS.
Mil. GEEK. Aug. 10Th. rs

Mill CREEK. Aug. 10Th, rs
EDITORS BANNER
After stating tia, we have excellent
health, good crops. no worms and plenty
of rain in this section, we would say a few
words on the next most absorbing topic;
conventions etc. !; the rules by which they
are governed and the chances for a candi-
date to be put through them. Then, as to
the convention system in general, it is true,
as some claim, that there was time when
no such system existed, and no such means
resorted 10 to make candidates, and the
country forrisi.ed and prospered as well
then as heart could wish, and the principles
of law and equity were dispensed to the
satisfaction ofthe pecp pie; hence, they con-
clude that same results would follow upon
the abolition of the custom. But the advo-
Gates of such ideas do not consider that
with the growth of the nation, rapid as it
has been, the corruping influences has in
creased in an equal ratio, as well as the
vanity and ambition of many men who are
ready to resort TO any means to attain the
laudations of the admiring multitude.
Hence, the necessity of some plan among
the people 10 counteract. or cure, if posi-
bic, such ambitious spirits, and to that end,
nearly half century ago, was inaugurated
the convention system; and if the condition
ofthe country and the circumstances ofthe
times. demanded such proceedings then,
they sill exist to this day, greatly increased
and intensified; therefore, if the conven-
ton system is an evil, ii is certainly nee
eSsary evil, as the law itself is sad 10 be a
necessary evil by distinguished author;
hence, we should submit quietly to both,
and make the best use Of them in our pow
er. Then, as to the rules by which they
should be governed-whe;her by the ma
joriy or two-thids rule? The merits of
both have been fully and freely discussed,
and objections raised to both, as they, like
most human laws rules, fail of perfection,
but, of the two, we are inclined TO the opin-
ion that the two-thirds rule now in use is
the safer, as, in fact, it possesses the merits
of both ends; the evils of but one. The
votes are cast in the convention according
to the numerical strength of localities, and
readily show who has the majority, and
reason and Democracy readily indicate
who should yield; but often the minority
will not yield, and thereby thwart the will
of the people, that IS, the majority. This
much we admit, but not that the country
is thereby injured; and if that majority was
always fairly and squarely obtained it GER
tainly would be hardship and wrong, but
such majorities are not always SO obtained
in this, our age of corruption. 1t certainly
would be much easier to obtain bare ma
iority by foul means than two-thirtls vote.
Take, for instance, the late State conven-
ton; Throckmorton is said to have been
placed in the field by designing, scheming
politicians and monopolists for certain pur-
poses-to have subsidized Newspapers to
work up and manufacture public opinion
n his favor, to have furnished free rides to
delegates from North and Northeast Tex
Is who favored him for governor. This
asst was talked on the STREETS of Austin, but
or the truth of the charges do not vouch.)
was charged with grave offences, |
md of using his position improperly to pro-
cure strength, sc. If either was guilty of |
lah he was charged with, it certainly was
ortunate thing that the people had it in
heir power, under the rules, to shelve both |
md bring forward better man than eth
r. An evil and designing party can, and
las. often obtained majority by little
Extra exertion and foul means, when two
birds majority never could have been OBJ
aimed. Again, see an Austin man, just
ecentiy attending a conventionn in CO.
nanche county and another Austin man
,SSbii5 tiiS WAC VI tliti COuiilI III DTsll- /
lam Hence, IN view of these facts, my
'pinionis, the road through convention
hould not be made too easy, because the
hirst for Office has never manifested itself |
more strongly than at present.
We did intend to say a word concerning
,ur coming county convention, but We have
Ilready taken up more space, perhaps, than
he subject merits, and viii close by saying
he county convention to US, Individually, |
$ of vital Importance, hence we hope those
Who may be sent to discharge the duties of
aid meeting may have the nerve to divcst
themselves ofpersonal partialities or preja-
Ices, and to do that which their reason
md conscience may dictate for the good of
he people of the county, regardless of |
whom it may elevate or defeat
SCRIBRLER.