The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-12-28


ton. 1t is true, this is free country,
and every man who feels that he owes
his services TO the country and that the
country needs them, has perfect right
to offer himself as q sacrifice on the altar
OF his country--"Subiect to The decision
ofstbe nominating convention" But is
1t not the very imperteclion ofthe Popu-
lsr.vote system which calls SO many when
so .few can be choeenY Again, We are
told tkat, hy the Popular vote plan, every
Democrat may exercise the privilege of
voting for whom he pleaaes. That is
true, but is It not also true OF Delegate
convention7 In the one, the vote is
given directly for the csndidate-in the
other, indirectly. While the first may
be more democratic, in the primary sense
Of the term; the other is not only demo-
cratic. but it also permits US to conform
to one Of the fundamental principles OF
the party. viz. !: that the msjority should
rule Where six or eight candidates ap.
pear for the same office, it seldom hap
pens, under the popular vote system, that
either candidate receives a majority OF
all the votes cast. In ninety-nin cases
out Of hundred, the candidate is selec
ted on a mere plurality instead OF ma
jorily vote Now, in Delegate conven-
vention, properly constituted, rule can
be adopted by which majority, or even
two-.hrds, OF all the votes shall be neces-
cary to NOMINATE. 1t is evident that
such rule is wholly impracticable in a
popular vote convention where there are
more than two candidates for the same
office But il is said that Delegate
convention ais generally o packed ar
rangement in the interest Of certain can
didates On the slate Of the managers "
This would certainly be serious OBJ
lection, but is not the popular vote sys-
tenn, as now constituted,open to the same
objection ! often hear it so charged,
and it may be not entirely without some
foundation in fact. No plan that could
be desired would be entirely free from
the influences which usurally and natur-
ally arise in political canvass. 1t is
not at all impossible, and therefore not
unlikely, that, in popular vote con-
venlion. combinations be made an ong
certain candidates; and these combine
tions may embrace whole townships, and
it may be, after time, that one section
OF the county will be arrayed against the
whole. 1t is then that the packing busi-
ness becomes inimical to the interests of
the party. BY calling large delegation
from each of the townships, and bring
i ing them together in convention, where
the merits of the several candidates and
the interests of the party can be fully
and fairly discussed, many Of the evils
attending sectional canvass would be
averted By large representation, the
packing business would prove rather un.
profitable; and, as to the slate Of the
managers, if it be not wholly myth,
will wager ducat would be broken over
the heads OF its owners the 6rst hour
of the session. The expenses attend
ing campaign on the popular vote plan
are much larger than when the convention
is held on the Delegate plan Where the
candidates are numerous this is quite an
item. A personal canvass Of the eigh-
teen townships requires at least two
weeks OF hard, and doubtless to some
/ rather unpleasant, labor, to whichshoultl
be added the incidental and necessary
expenses, includisg a few thousand tick
cts. All of which must coat the candi-
date, for the smallest Office nearly $50,
and more likely, if his time be counted,
more than twice thai sum Ina conven-
ton on the Delegate plan, much Of the
time and expense ere saved. A canvass
under the popular vote plan necess,tates
four or six weeks constant annoyance
of the Democratic voter. This may not
be Objectionable to some; but many oil
the farmers who gi1e their whole a.ten-
ton to their own business must certain.
ly regard it as Improbable and embar.
RAISING. And the system, by the prac-
tices grown up in it, has tendency to
destroy the interest in the election. Not
only the voters hut the candidates them.
selves, and even the successful ones, are
apt to lose much OF their interest in the
following election, which thsy regard as
merely formal after the convention il
over. While ] am Of opinion that q
Delegate convention is open to fewer
objections than the popular vote plan
yet would have the matter fully dis.
cussed, and would urge great care in the
adoption of rules to govern il. The rep
resentaiive should he large, but not toe
large to render the convention itsel
cumbersome do rot believe that 9
Delegate convention, guarded by proper
rules and regulations, "would be unvise
and damaging to the interests of the
party" The popular vote system has
been in operation ia this county foi more
than ten years. Let US have change
DEMOCRAT.