Daily Republican., 1879-12-04
Impure Primaries.

that attended the Democratic primary
meetings which were held on Tuesday
in Philadelphia, are but the conse-
ouences which must inevitably result
80 long as the primary meetings OF po-
litical parties are allowed to be con-
trolled by the low and vicious who see
nothing in primary election more than
a fitting opportunity toget drunk and
to have a good time inst for the fun OF
the thing, while there may be others
who SEQ through them the sure road to
place, Office and emoluments. The dis
graceful proceedings in Philadelphia on
Tuesday, though confined only to the
Democracy, on that day, are by no
means exclusively Democratic property
in broad and general sense, for pri-
mary political meetings Of all
parties are more or less affected
by the same troubles, though not
generally to such a degree as mark
ed the Democratic primaries in Phila-
delphia. Primary meetings Of politi-
cal parties are generally held in sa-
looms where plenty Of liquor can be
had without much trouble aud where
probably the profits arising from the
liquor sold are deemed a sufficient re-
muneration for the use Of an up stairs
room. On such occasions the liquors
though paid for by somebody are free
at the bar, and of course this fact
draws together the very lowest scums
Of society, and the classes which con-
stituts these scums are those which con-
stituts the fountain head of politics. We
need not wonder that the political wa
ters which flow from such corrupt foun-
tains are impure. These primary cleo
tions held in Philadelphia were the
real commencement OF the Presid ential
canvass for 1880.
The delegates elected at these
drunken riotous gatherings, are to de-
termine who are to be the future rulers
Of Philadelphia. They say who shall
be her magistrates, aud Select and
Common Councilmen. Farther than
that, they send delegates to the State
Convention which nominates State Off
GERS. Farther than that, the State
Convention composed OF such delegates,
elect other delegates to the National
Convention which is to nominate
candidate for the Presidency of this
great nation. 1t is true that by the
time the National Convention is reached
the party is purged 10 certain degree,
aud the rougher elements which com
posed the Democratic primaries of Phil
adelphia are eliminated, but it is also
true that the mud stirred up at the
fountain head discolors the stream all
the way down until it runs out in the
great ocean of sentiment, which goes to
make up a nation. Alderman William
McMullin of the Fourth Ward Of
Philadelphia who was foremost among
the rioters, who shot at others and who
was shot at in return, has been dele
gate to nearly all the State Conventions
Of the Democratic party of Pennsylva-
MIA, that have been held within twenty
years, and he is fair type of the men
who are foremost in politics. The ward
in which he resides is so debauched in
whiskey and political corruption, that
year after year McMullin comes before
the denizens of that ward who never
fail to elevate him to power and place.
He is now a member Of the Select Coun-
ell of Philadelphia. When such men
are pushed to the front Of politics, what
must be thought of a constituency that
stands at their back ready to Tow at
their beck' 1t is doubtful if scarcely
any of the Democrats of either the
Fourth and Fifth wards, in good social
standing, and of character took any
part in the primaries. The number
Of such persons may have been
too small to effect any good, but
even if it was too small such persons
hardly feel like venturing to risk their
reputation aud their lives by attending
such meetings. Thus the good and
honest classes Of society stay away
from political primaries and allow the
shoulder hitters and the lowest scums
to meet, wrangle, fight and kill each
other, and when the ticket agreed upon
in the interests of these low classes is
presented to the public the good cit-
zens walk meskly up to the polls and
vote for ticket so nominated. As
long as this obedience to party dicta-
ton is submitted to, just so long will
the fountains of politics be corrupt and
the streams which flow from such foun-
tains be murky and impure.
A PIECE Of nonsense is now going the
rounds of the State papers. 1t states
that the Republican leaders in Will
mington met last week and agreed to