Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-26
The Proposed "Revisfon."

Inc Proposed "KevlslOn'"
Almost exceptional among the Demo-
cratic newspapers of the state, our es-
teemed contemporary, the Shippensburg
Chronicle, protests against the proposed
revision of the rules governing the Demo-
cratic organization, and claims that its
position is endorsed by two letters, lone
from prominent and influential citizen
of this county, the other from a distin'
guished gentleman in another part of
the state, who has creditably filled sew
eral responsible positions" With the in
vincible prejudices of the Chronicle,
which makes it see in this proposed
movement "an attempted ruling" of
the state Democracy, and "a squint to-
ward bossism,'' it seems almost hope
less to contend. Its hope that the state
convention will condemn this or any
other such effort, in advance Of any re-
port from the committee, illustrates the
bonds of prejudice in which it is held,
about as we'll as its effort to prove the
futility of rules by the experience of the
Democratic party in PhiladelpIh.
The fact which the Chronicle persis-
tently ignores is that there are now GER
tain rules in force, and recognized by the
party, the operation of which has been for
years the source of universal complaint.
Other matters which should be governed
by some sort of fixed rules, known to
all men ARE left to chance, the caprice of
faction, or the mercy Of temporary
majority having an interest to determine
them in one particular way. 1t is right
fully claimed that this sort of thing tends
to unnecessary disorganization and boss
ism. 1t is to cure these that the move
ment for a revision of the rules has been
inaugurated.
For example the state committee as
now constituted does not give general
satisfaction, and is practically useless.
Itexists by precedent which has all the
force of rule, and its plan of selection
can only be changed by revision u
The present system of utterly disband-
ing the organization Immediately after
a campaign and letting its successor
grope in the dark next year, after the
scattered threads of the organization is
an. evil which the Democracy of other
states have greatly cured by the estab
lishment of a permanent secretary. 10
asperse such an official for being paid for
his time and clerical work, is the Chron'
icle's able argument against this feature
of proposed revision. The temporary or
ganization of the state convention
which must be determined outside of the
convention itself or left to the mob voice
is matter that has too often created
painful and altogether unnecessary irri
tation. To say that there should he nc
fixed rule on this subject, is simply tt
say that anybody who happens to con
troll the organization of the state com
mittee should resort to a grab game tC
make the most out of his opportunities
There should be likewise some Ordel
about the election or a state chairman
and it should not be done happy -go-luck
as it happens to suit the wishes o
fit the Indifference of varying con
ventions and candidates. Whateve
is the best plan should be tn
permanent plan. Then, too, there ar
complaints about the present plan o
senatorial representation in the state
conventions and the inadequate number
of delegates allotted to some heavil,
Democratic districts, all of which being
now regulated 10y inexorable "rule," i
is at least fair to consider whether an,
changes may he made, even if it i
not determined that such change
would he expedient. And, if {;
rule is needed for nothing else, it is a
least fitting that there should be SOM
regulation adopted by which the presen
rules may he amended when found de
fective or liable to abuse. At presen
there is no such provision. 1t may b
done by state committee or convention
but when so done arbitrarily it is alway
suspected to he done at some special in
stance, in the interest of faction or be
cause the temporary majority wants t
abuse its opportunities.
The Chronicle greatly errs in its cal
culation that the state Democracy ar
opposed to having the rules which COVER
them amended and declared. They ar
fur it - by large majority.
A Desperate Case.
4e
ington, the advices from correspondent