Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-06-03
THE COUNTY COSVENTION---ISDI'
VIDUAL REPRESENTATIONS.


vIDUAL REPRESENTATION.
While calling attention in our last
issue to our coun dominating con-
vention, we had no conception of the
dissatisfaction that would be occa-
stoned by the proposed election Of
delegates to it, by school districts.
During the past week we have not
conversed with Il single person out
side the executive committee, who
has not expressed disapprobation Of
what that body has suggested. In
deed We have been informed that
some of the friends Of some Of the
Democratic aspirants for Office have
advised them not to submit their
claims to a convention in which the
voters relied On to elect would not
have fair and full representation. In
our opinion, however, such advice is
hasty. We cannot but think that
the claims of even the hnmblest of
lis members to representation in its
councils will be recognized by the
Democracy, as soon as the depths Of
its great heart are properly sounded.
Already there is u rumor Of q propo-
sition to allow the II delegates to be
chosen by Salt River township to
cast IN it's behalf the number of bal
lots it is entitled to by its voting
strength. To this it is objected,
however, that such an arrangement
would commit the votes of the Demo
Gratis in Mexico TO the discretion of Il
delegation composed of six from the
city and fifteen FROM the balance Of
the township. The prevailing senti-
ment among those we have %conversed
with seems to be, that nothing short
of a fair and full representation OF
the individual voters of the party will
meet with universal ac~quIescence.
II Is said also that where the right to
vote is general and nomination Sc
cures election. there should be nc
curtailment Of individual represent
tation that every Democrat wherever
he may reside, and whatever may b.
his vocation, is entitled to exercise as
much influence in a nominating con
vention, as at ordinary elections
that if voters maintain their rights.
those rights will be accorded, bur
that if in changing from choice OF
candidates through primaries to til,
selection of them by Il convention
the Democrats of MEXICO and Sal
River township once submit to par
with full and fair representation, the
condition of the country, the bad cx.
amples of the Republican party, ant
the tendency of party manascmenr
towards concentration of power into
the hands Of the few arc such. that i
Is impossible to forsec when their Jus.
weight in the councils of their part,
will be restored.
With the view Of promoting har
mony we add to what has been a,
ready said, that county officials sus
tain closer and more intimate rela
tons to populations that other public
functionaries. The president anC
congress perform their duties at
distant capitol. Our governors ant
Legislators are unknown to most of us
The first are concerned in matter.
that interest the nation and to tn,
last is committed the welfare of TIN
state, but Il county officers resid'
among us are we'll known and ar,
constantly attending to business tina
affects us individually. We look t.
u sheriff for protection of life an,
property. lie ARRESTS and i~ncarcer
ates criminals. Upon him devolvc
the summoning Of witnesses, the Sc
lection of juries and the execution o
the mandates of courts. 1t is til,
duty OF our prosecuting attorney t,
search for and properly present It
our tribunals all facts connected will
offences. We expect Judges to max
such application Of law rs shall pro
mote justice and contribute to per
sonal security, and to the probat,
court are committed the pecuniar,
and personal interests of children
Besides those mentioned there ar,
officers to assess and collect taxes. t.
pay into the state treasury its proper
ton OF venue and apply the balanc,
TO home necessities. When count,
officials are faithful and prompt in tn
discharge of their duties, individual
prosper, business IS facilitated, th'
value of property increased ant
tenure of life made mere certain
When faithless Or incompetent officer
exercise authority, all these interest
suffer. We aliude to these familia
aud well known facts to remind GU
readers hat it is not districts Q
townships or cities, but individual
citizens, whose rights and interest
are most involved and most liable t,
be advanced Or injured in s~elcctin,
county officers. In this country
therefore, the elective franchise is
personal privilege. SO far, no di
rect proposition has been made t,
deprive any one Of this right. 1t i
acknowledged that the right of a mer
chant to vote is not greater than tina
of q farmer and no one has contend
cd that the claim Of q farmer to par
ticipation in elections Is less tina
that of an operative or mechanic 0
anybody else. Neither has any on