The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-28
DEMOCRATIC CONSULTATION.

March 9th the Democratic eXecu-
tive committee of the state will meet
in consultation at Waco. The object |
OF this meeting. as set forth in Chair
man Claiborne's call, is to decide
whether there shall he one or two
state conventions this year ; to fix the |
time and place for holding the con-
vention or conventions to establish |
rules and regulations for the party ; |
to determine the basis of representa-
ton to determine whether unor-
ganized counties, politically organized,
shall be represented in the conVen-
ton ; to reach some determination as
to the two-thirds rule Ito determine if
a county may have more seats upon
the floor than she is entitled to in
convention to "create the temporary
organization !" to take into considera-
ton all questions that may benefit the
party. Here is quite an amount of
matter presented for consideration,
first and most important among which
is that referring to decisions TO be
reached this year through conven-
tons. AS to the question of one or
two conventions there ought to be
no division of opinion except as to
expediency. Yesterday the federal
executive committee met at Washing
ton City to decide the time and place
for holding the presidential conYen-
ton. IT is to be held July Sth, at
! Chicago, and The state convention to
select delegates thereto should be held
not later than early in June. Then
would be too soon for convention to
nominate state officers. The effect OF
a hot all summer canvass might kill
! of some of the state nominees, and
this would be fearful calamity. The
time for holding the presidential
convention makes it eminently
expedient, therefore, that there
shall be two state conventions.
Outside the question of expediency
there is one alone OF propriety. There
should be, if possible, no antagonisms
in the party, resulting from a mixture
of matters pertaining to the state and to
federalism. Convention delegates and
electors are to be chosen for presiden-
tial selections, and the body choosing
such delegates and electors should be
untrammeled by any combinations or
antagonisms that may arise in the con-
test for state officers. One election
should be entirely free and independent
of the other, and the only way to &C
complish such end is to have two con-
ventions. Precedent exists for one
and the other course, but precedent Is
not always good. While the greatest
weight Of precedence is for one C Inven-
ton, it is still not best. In 1878 eXpe-
diency led to two conventions, and
the one for naming delegates to the
presidential convention and electors
was harmonious, while the one for
choosing state officers was acrimonious
and created bad blood that has not
even yet subsidized. It has been said
and there can be no doubt OF
the fact, that trading was re.
sorted to in the Dallas con.
vention, which, happily, had no effect
in the naming of the federal delegates
or electors, who were selected some
time before at Galveston. THE
STATESMAN hopes the consultation at
Waco will decide upon two cJnven-
tions. The time and the place for a
convention or for conventions is mat
ter of but little moment, except that
nominations for state officers should
not be made so as to create long and
tedious canvass. We believe in the
virtue Of quick and vigorous can
vass. The establishment of rules and
regulations for the party is quite an
important item in the proposed con-
sultation. 1t has so far been governed
by very good rules, and these should be
taken as basis for effective direc-
ton with, however, no superincum-
bent weight. The proposed determine
tion of the basis of representation is
superfluous: this is already fixed and
should not be changed except in con-
vention. The proposition to permit
unorganized counties to have repre-
sentation in convention is one which
should be let alene or decided in the
negative. Communities that do not
vote should have no voice in elections;
and 1t is noted fact that sixty-two
OF the counties did not open a single
polling place for the last general cleo
ton. None of the morgan
lied counties held elections. Besides,
the executive committee has no power
to decide this point, for conventions
alone have the right to pass upon
their membership. The two-thirds
rule has been the bulwark against
which the Democratic party has rested
in strength; it should be preserved
as the correction Of evil practices de-
basingt ITO politics. The executive COM
mittee has no power over this ques-
ton, and it can only recommend that
the primaries express the sentiment
of the masses on the subject. THE
STATESMAN would earnestly advise,
in fact. that the question be not agi-
tated, for the Democratic masses of
Texas have already spoken in no
equivocal manner as to the retention Of
this time.honored practice. The exec
utiYe. committee should especially take
exceeding great care to do one thing
not attempt to do too much.
GLADsToNE's downfall is surely at
hand The nNanfo in tho Sr,,dnr