The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-02-03


sue a letter from DR.. B. A. Fichtner
relative to that engrossing topic, the
party organization. We differ with
him in his views of the rules govern
ing primary elections, and more par
ticularly IN regard to the effect Of the
amendments. But in our judgment
this is not the time, nor is there any
necessity for their present discussion.
We do not believe that "the rules of
the party are imperative and dead
letter." but, on the contrary, that
they are in vigorous life and suffi-
cient for the present emergency. The
trouble is not with the rules per sc,
but in the fact that the non-observ-
ance OF them-by not holding a pri-
mary in June last-has given an
opportunity to the dissatisfied to at
tempt their overthrow, and if possi-
bic to set up a power, outside of and
hostile to them.
Certainly the object Of all good
Republicans is, or should be, to pre-
serve the unity Of the party, and to
work in harmony for its success.
Now, beyond all controversy, the
rules amply provide for the holding
of a primary in June next, for the
election at that time of a County
Committee. and the after selection
by it of a Chairman, when the or
ganization will be complete. But in
the meantime, cry the dissatisfied,
I'VE have no Committee and no
Chairman" and straightway they
propose to cure the imaginary evi!
by further violation of the rules.
True, there is hiatus in the matter
&c n f,las-.>a. no. .>-o-;Is.I c. ~
the Federal constitution and laws
when Mr. Hendricks died, but that
was quickly cured when the Senate
met, as will be ours, when the new
committee elects Chairman. But,
say the objectors. we have no author
lied person to receive the assess
ments, and procure the printing and
distribution of the tickets and
blanks. To the first of these objec-
tions we have suggested that tie
money be deposited in bank, and
that some well-known Republican
might lie induced to undertake the
work of distributing the tickets. We
now add the further suggestion that
the candidates can, and doubtless
will cheerfully, distribute the tickets
and see that they are at the polling
places. As all the names are print
ed on one slip, no advantage can be
taken by one over the other, and it
is the interest of all to have the tick
cts in the hands of the voters. As
to the printing of the tickets and
blanks, either or both of the Repub-
llcan papers at this place will do the
work and take the cnance of being
paid by the new Chairman, when
The Doctors suggestion that the
Chairman of the State Committee be
requested to call a meeting, &C.,
might work if universal assent was
first obtained, but experience proves
that SO jealous are the voters of their
right of self government, or SO easily
are they stirred up to hostility
against outside interference, that for
mer attempts by State Chairmen to
reconcile local difficulties have al
ways proved disastrous. Thus, some
years since when Bedford Republi-
cans refused to support Somerset's
the nominee for Senate,
the State Committee induced him to
and advised the support
OF the editor of this paper as the
candidate; certain local
politicians took umbrage, and their
added to his lack of Der
sonal strength, turned the district |
over to the Democracy. Again, but
a short time since--in the Venango |
district, We think it was-Hon. John |
Cessna as Chairman of the State |
Committee was invited to com pose
4 difficulty in the party: his Inter
ierence," as it was styled, was de-
nounced by the malcontents, and
ais labor proved fruitless. This is a
nome trouble, and must be settled
by home rule. The Republican vot-
rs will cut the knot at the polls.
Dur only care is that the means to
los are fairly placed in their hands.
We repeat, We are not welded to
,ur suggestions, and only point out
What seems to us fatal objections to
hose thus far advanced by others.
The difficulty appears TO have resol-
'ed itself into who shall hold
be bag, and who procure and dis
ribute the tickets?" Surely these
.notty points can be solved without
violent rending of the rules, and