Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-03-08
Primary Elections VS.. Conventions.

EDITOR TNTELLIGENCER:-We no'ired in
your issue of Feb. 23. communication from
the lafayette County Democratic Executive
COMMITTEE, calling for a meeting in the sever.
al townships of the county, to select n MEM
Der from each township to serve rs q com
mitteeman. as said committee will determine
whether we shall select our candidates by
primary election or convention, and consider
ing the Importance of the subj ct, and the
difference of opinion existing among thespeo-
pie in regard to primary election and con-
ventions. il might be we'll to instruct our
committeeman selected ut the coming meet
ing, which mode they preferred, and let tie
committeeman faithfully carry out their
instructions; as considerable feeling is being
manifested IN some parts of the county on
the subject. 1t il evident that both methods
have their strong and their weak points. As
every honest democrat wants u candidate
selected by a majority of his party, tie ques-
ton now is. how Is that to be done 1t we
continue the primary election system, with
probably a dozen candidates for each Office,
the srccessful candidate must, Of necessity
receive a minority Of all votes polled; hence,
may not be the choice of the party US a
whole, consequently is very Objectionable.
The convention system as formerly carried
out, is not less Objectionable In some Of its
features, particularly the desire Of some who
have 8 personal interest In the contest,
to trade or swap candidates, (you vote for
nv man rs sheriff, and I will vote for your
man as treasurer) converts the convention
into q kind Of political huckster shop, where
candidates are traded or sacrificed regardless
of their personal influence, or standing In the
county. Then cxn the convention he con-
Quoted SO as TO bring out a candidate having
q majority Of the democratic votes as express
ed by. the convention II so, how? We an
swer, the convention can be 30 conducted
that every candidate can have a fair AMI equal
chance. We would have every committee
man to come, fully Instructed according to
the number of candidates for each Office, and
to follow his Instructions, regardless Of per-
sonM preference. We would exclude all
candidates from tine room while the couven-
ton Is In session; we would allow no candi-
dates name to be placed before the conven-
ton that had not been before the township
meetings that selected delegates to the con-
veution; we would allow no recess for con-
sultation; we would allow no running from
one delegation to another trying to influence
voters; we would ,expel anyone from the
convention who would attempt such an act,
or any candidate who would try to influence
Q delegation, or q member of the conventlon,
and have his name taken FROM the list Of
candidates.
Where more than n candidate is ont
for an Office, we would vote at least three
times for all candidates, after which we
would drop the candidate having the few
est votes at each ballot, until we got d major
ity of the whole. We are not prejudiced in
favor Of conventions, but would respectfully
ask anyone how he can select u candidate by
primary election, and have a majority of the
votes polled, when there are as many candi-
dates in the field a. we now have? If it is
better than the con ention method, we will
submit.
We deem it very essential to the harmony
Of the party In this county. that every COM
mitteeman should be instructed to vote for
convention or election. Should the conven-
ton be the choice of the people, which we
believe 1t will, they tthe co mi tee) should
make all rules regulating the convention aud
have them published previous to the election
of delegates to the convention, so that every
one can now the rules. aud govern them
selves ACC rdingIy. Should any candidate re-
fuse to submit to the rules # the convention,
thus set forth, let his lame be taken from tho
list.
Some will say you vii! have the county
overrun with independent candidates. If you
adopt such strict rules. We say let them
run If they want t.; 1t Is the privilege OF
every American citizen; but it is also the
privilege Of every voter to vote for whom he
pleases. And the man who tries to force
himself upon the people unsolicited, would
be looked upon with suspicion, aud his race
woul | be like q donkey's gallon, short and
rough.
Hoping the above subject will be
thoroughly discussed before the 29ad of
March, and some plan N ,tured whereby we
can harmoniously select the candidates best
representing the wishes Of The people and q
MAJORITY DEMOCRAT.