The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-05-25
AN ERROR WHICH SHOULD
CUT NO FIGURE IN DIS
TRICTs AND COUNTIES.

IHICTS AND COUNTIES
The primaries should be speedily
held. Chief Smith demonstratedh his
unfilnSss for guiding the helm, when
he gave the people so short time in
which TO act, but the convention is
called and the people are urged to
do the best they can in time to have
themselves properly represented at
Galveston. The 18th of July will
soon be here, and then the STATES
MAN will be satisfied to leave the
agencies which called the conven-
tiOn for that time to the tender con-
sideration of the candidates, called
upon in the dead heat of summer to
prosecute a four months canvas.
AS there is no considerable Or
ganized force opposed TO the
Democracy, there was no press
ing necessity for this hasty
call, to give the candidates time to
visit every crossroads in the state,
no reason why the enemy should be
watched before the forward move is
made, no very great reason why the
people should be closely consulted,
since any nominee may win; and
therefore any criticism as to the time
of holding the state convention may
be unwise, since Texas Democracy
may be victorious under any plan of
campaign, Bat, because one error
has been committed, is no reason
why every local Democratic organi-
cation in the state should drift into err
rors. The officers of the party should
Immediately adopt every means at
their command to have the primaries
assemble in force, but the work of
the primaries should now be direct
ed alone to the end that proper men
be sent to the Galveston convention.
The primaries should send trusty
Democrats to the county conven-
tons, men who have been long
tried and found true, honest
and faithful opponents of public
sentiment, not the picked represen-
tatiyes of candidates, to formulate
the course of delegations in the con-
vention that dominates state officers.
Honest expression from the
masses is what the STATESMAN
would see reached through the pri-
maries-honest action, that popular
endorsement may he secured. These
primaries should consider questions
alone attending the state convention,
making haste to meet alone this ne
cossity, while they should by no
means direct attention to the district
andcounty contests. Because the state
convention has been called at a most
unreasonable time, is no reason why
conventions for nominating district
and. county candidates should be
held so soon; in other words, the
county conventions, which are to
send delegates To Galveston, should
leave all other work TO subsequent
county conventions. These second
conventions should be devoted to
congressional nominations, and then
should follow the legislative and
county nominations. Let us pre-
sumo that the Democracy decides
upon using the best men for all po-
sitlons. There may be the names OF
dozen gubernatorial candidates
before the state convention, and an
equal number may be presented
for other places. But one
can be chosen for any single posi-
ton, while among the defeated
eleven there may be left material
which could be used in other places,
to the greatest public advantage.
The fact that friends use their names
for more distinguished places, by no
means disqualihes men for the less
distinguished places. Let us as
sumo that among the defeated
candidates for state offices, and the
assumption is most reasonable,
there are those who would serve the
state wisely and we'll as congress
men. The assumption being true,
would it be right to close the doors
by hasty action against these
men for congressional nomi-
nation. And so, in like
manner, would it not be
unwlse to reject men for legislative
nomination who fail as congressional
candidates? If the ablest men be
defeated III one aspiration, let them
be used for other places and lei
us not disqualify the best ma.
terial we have for congressional
hoDors, by naming it at rather
previous" convention for minor
place. The party officers have much
power at their command, which may
be used for either beneficial or evi
ends. They should use it wisely
and especially should they come to nc
decision, in the nature OF taking
snap Judgment against the people.
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