Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-11-18
The Lesson.

Mr.. Editor. If anything was ever proven
beyond doubt the fact is established that
a change in the system of nominating in the
Democratic party is necessity. To sup
pose that the Democratic party could not
have nominated ticket that would have
carried the county is TO concede that the Re
publicans are in the majority, and this is
false by the record. The Republican ma
jority must be conceded or we must admit
that the Democratic ticket was not regarded
with entire favor in the party. This, we
think, is Just conclusion, as part of the
regular ticket was elected
The strength of all organization is in the
harmony of its elements, and in politics not
only the strength but the existence of the
organization depends upon harmony The
question of securing this unanimity in the
party in its nomination of candidates is one
entirely worthy of the best consideration of
all sincere and faithful Democrats.
That the remedy is in different system
of nomination we think apparent when we
reflect that by different method of reach.
ing a nomination of our candidates il is en-
tirely practicable 10 exclude from the ticket
all regular machine politicians, or persons
whose business is to run for the nomination
backed by strength in the primary that is no
ularity throughout the party, but which is
sufficient TO secure the regular nomination
TO u man entirely Objectionable as repre-
sentative, to the many honest and sincere
Democrats who, though Democrats in prin-
ciple and doctrine, are independent in their
scrutiny Of public men. The only means
by which the active cooperation of the best
element of the Democratic party can be Sc
cured is in placing men upon the ticket who
are prominent in the county, not for their
conspicuousness in politics but for personal
character and gravity, and as far as practi-
cable in excluding from the candidacy reg
ular otlice-huntlng men, whose only object
in connection with the Office is its influence
and emoluments, and who do not feel the
slightest regard for the peoples interest in
the conduct of the Office Just so they draw
their pay and extend their popularity with
the strong clement in the primary.
The method TO obviate, in great degree,
the trouble arising from the present system
OF primaries, Wis the placing of names on
the ticket that are rather calculated TO en-
barrass the ticket than to secure its success,
is to have the county committee call meet.
ings In each election district at q suitable
time and place, the business of these meet.
ings To be the discussion of the names of
candidates are to be chosen, and 10 make up
by the light of such discussion list en-
bracing Il sufficient number 10 correspond
with the number Of Offices 10 be filled, and
appoint committee of three or five, or
whatever number that may be deemed best
by the county committee, whose duty IL shall
be 10 represent the meeting In a general con.
vention and 10 convey and submit for the
consideration Of such convention the list of
names chosen at their meeting, the several
lists TO form the subject for a general discus
sion of the fitness Of the persons whose
names shall be found in the respective lists,
and finally regular ticket TO be made up of
names from the district lists by a vote of the
convention. The place for the meeting of
the convention should be chosen by ma
jority Of the districts, each district deciding
their choice by ballot in the district meeting,
and in the event Of a tie the point 10 be de-
oided by the county committee.
DEMOCRAT.