Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-08-07
Our Democratic Primaries.

Mr.. Editor The importance of this sub
ject induces me to ask a further indulgence
of your kindness TO publish the following as
a continuation of my article OF last week.
am greatly pleased to see u copy of our
primary rules in your paper, and hope your
call Of attention TO them will be needed by
every Democratic voter in the county. By
so doing every one can know for himself
what are the qualifications to entite to the
privilege of voting; they are all contained
in the eighth section, and such as any Demo
crat can approve.
These rules require every voter at the
primaries TO be a registered voter, and TO
have voted for the Democratic candidate for
Governor or President at the election for
such officers last held before the primary at
which he offers to vote or, if he failed TO
vote at such election, to be nevertheless in
good faith identified with the Democratic
party, and still reside in the district in which
he offers 10 vote; or, TO have acquired the
right TO vote since such election or, TO ac-
quire the right 10 vote previous TO the next
| coming legal election, and in good faith to
| be, or intend TO be, identified with the Demo-
cratic party. All who have these qualilica-
tons can vote without hinderance, and can
have equal voice, right and power in choos
! ing our nominees.
1t must be evident to all that plan more
just for the 00ters at our primaries could not
be formed. II gives all legal Democratic
voters the right and invitation to come and
cast their votes for any candidate whom
they desire 10 be nominated. And il their
especial iavorite is not candidate they can
call him out and vote for him if he consents
and declares himself a candidate And GER
tainly among the many offering as cand-
dates every voter can find somebody fit to
vote for, always making the best choice &C
cording to his own judgment.
Surely this right to vote for the man OF
his choice ought TO bring out every voter, as
nomination may depend on single vote
And no questions whatever, for whom, or
for how many candidates he intends to vote
can be demanded of any voter as a condi-
ton for the privilege of voting. The privi-
lege cannot, under our primary rules, be
taken from any Democratic voter. The only
requirement necessary for the privilege is to
| be legal Democratic voter, or TO expect to
| be one before the next general or legal cleo
ton. And certainly none other than u
Democrat would expect TO vote at our pri-
maries The voter has done his duty when
he has cast his vote for the candidate of his
choice. The counting of the votes is the
duty oil the proper officers. When the ticket
nominated is declared, il he has lost his
choice he should nevertheless vote the whole
ticket II he in conscience can but he is nc
more pledged by the primary rules TO vote
the entire ticket than he was under the old
retiring committee plan but If he cannot vote
the entire ticket il evidently is his duty 10
vote as much of il as his ideas of right and
good citizenship will permit. 1t certainly
would be bad policy TO brighten away from
the primaries such persons as have some
conscience as TO how they should vote.
There are now and there always have
been Democratic voters who claim the right
TO scratch the ticket, and no doub. they al
ways will continue to do so. Those who
have served long as judges OF clerks Of cleo.
tons know this They always vote the
Democratic ticket, and they cannot be called
anything but Democrats, and often are strong
and even very strenuous in their Democracy
and would be much offended 10 be called
by any other name. These are principally
the voters who. acting under the erroneous
idea that all voters al the primaries are
pledged under the rules 10 vote the ticket
eaAt1se NJ the general election. never attend
nor vote III the primaries, and thus give the
commissions 90 those who DO attend, and
Lhen, after having thus neglected this i'm
poifant duty, they complain Of the candi-
dates nominated and refuse 10 vote for them
while IN reality the fault is with themselves
in n0i attending and voting II the prima-
rles, NJ the duty Of good citizens requires.
Now. with the primary rules before their
eyes they cannot plead ignorance, IL they
will but read them And II they henceiorth
30 their duty, attend the primaries and vote
their choice. ihey-being about six hun
dred-1ean put different and perhaps more
satisfactory fhee 10 our Democratic ticket,
and thus give as one Of which there can be
no complaint
With this change will our primary system
become whai IL was intended 30 be, bond
Of union and strength, instead Of source OF
weakness and division. Surely the nomi-
nation Of good aud competent men 70 MI
our offices is Of sufficient importance IN
every Democratic voter IN the county W in
duce him a. make an effort 10 get 10 the
primaries TO do his duty by casting his vote
for candidates OF his choice founded ON his
best judgment Of what is proper and right,
and thus serve the cause Of good govern
ment as good and worthy citizen. II this
small tribute Of time given for the good Of
all, were regularly paid at our primaries, we
would, without doubt. soon have very few
scratched tickets al our general or legal
elections.
Now come on ye unterriied Democ-
racyT Hoi for the primaries the 18th Of
August, 1885. Come one and all 10 do your
duty; let every one help his fellow. voter 10
the primaries by such means as lac can com
maad use your horses, wagons and other
vehicles 10 carry those who otherwise mu ST
walk; don't dock your hands, whether Ia
store, mill, shop or on the farm, day for
attending the primaries; that is every Mont
gomery Democratic voters day; give the
day and persuade your hands 10 60. Put
your copy Of the primary rules into your
pocket when you start; do not forget them
80 that If any judge OF other person I'M
dertake 10 spring upon You any rule or pri-
mary law not contained in your copy you
can defend your right and not be deprived
Of your privilege 70 vote. $40 the law and
the testimony" what is not In these heed
not You will find no pledges in the way.
There are none in the rules, and therefore !
none can be required Every one 10 his |
choice; and aiterward, every one 10 the |
Ticket. "In union there Is strength" sin |
division there is weakness"
Take the advice of one whose ffty years
experience in active Democracy deserves
'ome consideration. And we shall see how
many stay away
y "left of them,
Left of the six hundred"
Mare NuunnNa II