Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-13
For the YorkvIlle Enquirer.
COuNTY NOMINATIONS.

Mr.. Editor The communications lately in
the ENQUIRER in reference to the advisabili
ty of the adoption of the primary or conven-
ton system of nominating candidates for the
next ensuing election in this county, has in
creased the interest and comment in regard
to the same.
As the discussion and determination of the
matter this year will no doubt settle the sys
tenn of nominations in the future, besides the
immediate Importance involved in the selec-
ton of one plan or the other, it is proper that
the question be discussed. In doing so will
only briefly state the principal objections
commonly urged against each by their respect.
i've adherents, and then an opinion can be
formed as to which has the balance Of weight
in its favor. The conventioners claim that
their principal, and almost only objection, to
the primary system, is'that it might produce
a division in, and destroy the harmony Of the
party, occasioned by the excitement and i'll
feeling Of the friends of the respective candi
dates for nominations, and that the effect Of
this breach would be dangerous to the success
of the party in the general election.
The primaries reply that this objection is
visionary-that it does not in reality exist
and never has been or never will be carried
out That the excitement and i'll feeling al
legged to result from the heat of campaign
for nominating candidates would not produce
a division in the party, or chill the enthusi
asm and efforts of the defeated candidate or
his adherents in behalf of the party after
wards, because it would not only be fruitless,
but bring political death to the defeated can
didates ever afterwards to oppose or not assist
the nominee, after the understanding and
agreement in the race, that he should, if
defeated, abide by and support the nomina.
tion. That it would be ing-atitude, and a
form of independence, that would merit and
meet the rebuke and execration of the people.
This point has been satisfactorily determined
by the history of proceedings in other coun.
ties of the State, where the primary system
has been in use, and where candidates for
nominations have always supported their sue.
cessful opponents.
In behalf of the adoption of the primary
system of election, it is briefly and successful
ly urged, first, that the different township
clubs, in electing delegates to the convention,
are never composed of full representation
and vote Of the people entitled to vote and
residing in the township. For full repre-:
sentation of the will Of the people, expressed
through delegates to convention, there Ger.
tainly should be full vote of said people in
the township clubs, in eecting those delegates
to the convention. The club elections are
generally quietly and quickly conducted, and
the time of holding the same unknown. Sec-
ondly, that the conventions, composed Of these
delegates, are governed and controlled by
combinations and cliques in making nomina-
tions, viz. : By delegates of certain townships
of one portion of the county, uniting and
agreeing with those of another, to elect Ger.
tain candidates, representing said portions of
the county, regardless of their general capa:.
bilties to fill the office, or taking the general
wishes of the majority of the people into con-
sideration.
Thirdly. That voters prefer to "individ.
ually" cast their own votes for the different
nominees in preference to having them cast
by delegates in a convention as their "repre-
sentatives" or "proxies" in nominating can.
didates that after said nominations are made
in convention, the voters Of the party are in
variably bound to vote for them in the gen.
eral election, and hence these representa-
tives" are virtually the "electors" of the peo-
pie of the county.
In other words, the people are the "princi'
pals" and prefer to act for themselves at
primary system of election, instead of through
"agents" in convention. That this system
is a higher and more complete exercise Of the
elective franchise.
Fourthly. That under the primary system
of nominations, the merits of candidate for
office are before the whole people, and SUBJ
ected to the test of the crucible, and not
smothered or patched up in a convention.
After taking all Of these matters into con.
sideration, the balance of the scales would
seem to lean with the primaries. These OBJ:
iectons as aforesaid have been visible and of
common occurrence for some time past.
Finally. The adoption of the primary or
convention system of nominations could east
ly be settled by vote of the majority Of the
township CLUBS, after full notice of the time
for the meeting of these township clubs for
said purpose being Rxed and published by the
Executive Committee Of the county, After
report from the different clubs the Executive
Committee could declare the result.
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