Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-04-08
THE APPROACHING CANVASS.

Mr.. EDITOR: desire small space in
your columns to call attention to subject
which | deem of paramount Importance to
the people of York county, and to which
would direct attention in time to admit of
free and full discussion of the same. | allude
to the mode and manner of making nomlna-
tions on the York Democratic ticket Tor the
approaching canvass; whether or not, IN
making the nominations, the people shall ad-
here to the convention plan, !or' adopt the
more enlightened system in vogue in many OF
our sister States, ,Eand portions OF our own,
that of the primary system. 1t is not my
purpose, nor is it my desire, in this brief
communication, to refer to the convention
and the subsequent canvass of 1878, further
than to refresh the minds of many who then
declared that they should, after the action OF
that convention, favor the primary system
of making nominations. They had opposed
it previously, but admitted that the primary
plan, while open to some objections, admit
ted the voters to direct participation IN the
nominations, and would no doubt, in the end,
secure fairer selection of candidates and
give more general satisfaction than could
possibly be attained by convention OF dele
gates acting with closed dOors.
In opening the subject at this early day, 1t
is not with the view of provoking discussion
calculated to cause dissension in the ranks OF
the York Democracy but the reverse. BY
calm discussion and clear survey of the
field, would I rather avert any breaches that
might occur in our ranks, and more partlc-
ularly would | desire to prevent the occur
renee of any action that would tend to the
defeat of the party. Without knowing the
plans of the Republicans, it may be safe to
presume that they will present ticket in
the approaching convass An intimation to
this effect has already come from Columbia.
But in the absence of positive information
on the subject, it is the part of wisdom to
prepare for this event. and while strengthen
ing our lines against the assaults of our open
enemy, so guard them that there may be no
reasonable cause for dissatisfaction within our
own ranks, thereby inviting independentism
and Republican victory as result Of d.
vided Democratic household. The difficulty
of preventing this result in the last can
vass has not been forgotten. Disaster, which
at the time was prevented only by the
most systematic party organization, might
overtake the Democratic party in 1850.
True, the Republican party in York county
has been quiet since 1875; but he who thinks
it dead would probably find very animated
corpse next November, should there be Dem
ocratic nominations and Independent candi-
dates from the same party in the field.
1t may be urged that party fealty would
prevent indeDendent candidates from the
ranks of the Democracy, and it is conceded
that it should prevent them from coming be-
fore the people but unfortunately there are
too many men anxious to serve their country,
and each one has an abiding faith in his per-
sonal popularity that could not be shaken
until the counting of the ballots after the
election.
1t is to prevent the evils spoken of that
this communication is written. If, after
full discussion of the subject, the primary
system, in which the whole people would have
voice, be adopted, and the Democracy Of
York ride in triumph to victory, your cor
respondent would rejoice; but should the con-
vention system, open as it is to many obIec-
tious, prevail, and we thereby open the way
to party disintegration and Republican sue
cess, the fault will be with the people them
selves.
In these remarks I would not be under
stood as animadverting upon the nominations
made by the county convention of 1878. |
voted the ticket entire, and have no cause to
regret that vote. The county officials then
elected have proven themselves honest and
faithful and | have not word of condem
nation for the legislative ticket; but the dis
satisfaction then openly expressed by many
Democrats with the nominations when made,
renders it plausible that the work Of q con-
vention-no matter upon whom the selections
would fall-could not give the people that
degree of satisfaction necessary to ensure har
mony and unity of action. STRAIGHT-OUT