Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-09-17
DEFEAT POSSIBLE.

10 me euttOr OF inc -4terGndfi6 Gazette:
The proceedings of the nominating con-
vention of the Eighth district, which con-
vened in AIexanlria on August 9th and Au-
gust o5th, were watched by the democrats of
the district With great interest, and the &C.
ton of the same convention, which will re.
convene at Culpeper, on the 23d, is sub.
Ject not only Of interest but anxiety The
four prominent candidates who have here
totore divided the votes of the delegates
Messrs. Lee, Hume, Foster aud Meredith
are all gentlemen of ability and integrity,
and possess q personal following, which
would not only under ordinary circum-
stances guarantee SUCCESS before the pao-
pie, but which under present conditions,
and In The present stage Of the canvass,
seems to render united action of the con-
vention impracLicable, aud even jeoparGi-e
democratic success. In behalf CT many dem.
ocratS, and in the interest Of democratic
harmony, submit through your excellent
journal few suggestions for the considera.
ton Of the convention:
|. Embarrassment has grown out Of the
| adoption of the tWo-thirds rulo. This rule
has long obtained in democratic national
conventions, and was mainly based upon
the presence of political sectionaliSm in
| American politics. To prevent the stronger
section from dominating and depressing the
weaker it was deemed advisable that the
majority that nominated should be so large
| rs necessarily to include more than ono sec
ton of its representation. The c0nsidera-
ton rarely enters into even State conyen-
ton, and does not obtain at all in the small
area of congressional district. The rule
Is undemocratc in character, and the con-
sentative purpose that has perpetuated it in
national conventions does not exist to ius-
tify its introduction in this contest. 1t was
unwiss and ill-advised to adopt it. 1t threat
ems to defeat o nomination, and should be
repealed.
] 2. If The rule is maintained harmony can
be secured only by the selection of COM
promise candidate. To date, at one or other
time OF the ballotting, each of the four gen
tlemen referred to has received majority
vote, and their excellencies are so distinct
and their following so positive that there
seems 20 reasonable probability that either
will be withdrawn or any one can concen-
trate two'thirds vote of the convention.
Multiplicity of candidates will be the result
unless satisfactory compromise can be
made upon some acceptable democrat not
yet presented to the convention.
). The present antaeonism in the conven.
ton, aggravated by an undemocratic two.
thirds rule, should be considered in connec.
ton with certain divisions Of sentiment that
exist in the democratic party of Virginia.
There are differences among them upon the
labor question, the question of prohibition,
and even the State debt. This condition of
things is suggestive of danger snd defeat.
If these antagonisms between candidates
are not adjusted and nomination is made
that does not receive support approx.
mating unaninity in the convention, some
democrat may appear as an independent
candidate, aud if he should be gentleman
of pronounced ability and man Of large
personal popularity he would defeat the reg
ular candidates by division Of democratic
strength which would offset the present
1900 democratic majority, and republicans
would represent the district. Or, il no re-
publican candidate is announced and the
opposition vote should go TO the indepen-
dent candidate, defeat almost equally dis
astrous would still come upon the democra-
cy of the district
la all seriousness this contingency exists
and is nearer happening than many mem
bers o. the convention may he prepared to
admit. With no personal motives to serve
and seeking only democratic unity, that we
may achieve democratic success, earnest
ly commend these suggestions to the
| thoughtful attention of the members Of the
convention. Respectfully,
JOHN w. MADDUX.