Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-01-29
Machine UsurDatiOn.

Macnn0 CSUfpat1On.
Philadelphia Times.
In the confusion that prevailed at the
meeting of the Republican committee Of
Lancaster county on Tuesday, some things
were left in such a cloudy atmosphere
that many will he bothered to get at the
exact result but the marrow of the lesson
taught by the committee is not difficult to
reach.
Under the Republican rules of Lancaster,
it is the imperative duty of the committee
to submit to the people the election of
delegates to state conventions. The call
for the state convention was made more
than month ago, giving ample time for
the committee to have obeyed its own law
but Chairman Eshleman decided to be a
law unto himself, and postponed the call
of the committee until it was too late to
give notice and hold primary elections:
The primaries of Lancaster are regulated
by law, with sworn officers who are
amenable for perjury for making false
returns as are regular election officers, and
it is fair to presume that political mana
gers who fear the people prefer not to run
the gauntlet of such primaries.
The committee met on Tuesday and
usurped the power that the Republican
people of Lancaster specifically reserved to
themselves, by electing delegates to the
state convention. That the delegates were
so chosen because it was feared that the
primaries would elect different type of
men, must be clear to the most innocent
observer and the violent suppression OF
all attempts to give voice to the known
sentiments of the Republicans ofthe coun-
ty positively confirms the deliberate pur-
pose to usurp authority because it was ne
cessary to resort to usurpatiOn to secure a
machine delegation from Lancaster.
And that it is the deliberate purpose OF
those who usurped the power OF the peo-
pie to elect state delegatrs, to pursue their
palpable usurpatiOn to the selection OF del
egates to the national convention, is plain
as monday from the bungling record
which the committee made for itself. Mr..
McMellen offered resolution distinctly re-
serving to the Republicans of the county
the right to elect their delegates to the ma
tional convention at their regular primary
elections in May but it was tabled, on
motion of Mr.. J. Hay Brown, by the deci
sive vote of Al to 80. This was Il clear eX-
preston of the purpose of the committed
to have the machine delegates to the state
convention select the delegates the hi.
tiOnal convention.
Mr.. J. w. Johnson next made an effOr
to stop the usurping action of the commit
tee with the election Of delegates to Har
risburg. He offered two rcsolutiOns-th'
first directing the chairman of the com
mittee to let the Republicans vote directly
for their choice for president at the Ma.
primaries, and their majority should be
regarded as instructions the national dele
gates and the second directing that TIN
, delegates to the state convention ''ar'
hereby requested to notify such convention
that the Republicans of Lancaster count,
claim the right to and will elect their owl
: delegates, under the rules of the party, t.
represent them in the approaching national
convention" Mr.. Brown was ready witt
his motion to table the resolution, bu
he withdrew it, and the first resolution
was adopted by 3G to SO. This vote St
, alarmed the machine usurpers that tina
, Mr.. Brown precipitated motion to ad
, iourn to meet at the call of the chairman
and it prevailed by IL to %.
The only apparent point gained over tn
machine, was in the adoption of MIR. John
SON S resolution authorizing direct vOt
for president in May but it is a Cameron
: victory. 1t is manifestly the purpose o
+ the managers that the delegates to Har
risburg shall select the delegates to Chic
ago, and as Cameron OWNS the mill, h
e will be certain to grind out his Chicag
4 grist to suit himself. 1t is worthy of nOtt
Y that the committee first tabled Mr.. Nc
Mellen's resolution declaring that tn
. people should elect their national dele
gates at the regular primaries in May
l and that to avoid vote on like resOlu
/ tion offered by Mr.. Johnson, the com
mittee was hurriedly adjourned, and botl
times in obedience to motions made b.
Mr.. J. Hay Brown. Whatever else ma.
be in doubt about Lancaster politics, it i
now settled that the Republican people o
, the county are not to have any voice il
, saying who their delegates to Chicag
shall be, or for whom they shall vote TO
president. But won't the primaries thun
9 der for Blaine in May next?