San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-17
NOT OVERWHELMINGLY CERTAIN


leans of our city IN favor Of not making
our county officers test Of party
strength" This language the LIGHT does
not believe to be justified by the re-
suits. For some two or three days be-
fore the holding Of the primaries, and
for as many hours after, the LIGHT was
Of the opinion that the sentiment OF the
republicans In the city was largely
opposed to a straight party nomination.
That opinion was very materially mod
flied by the reports OF the
primaries published in yesterday
mornings Express, and that later
impression has been confirmed by
subsequent enquiry among the re-
publicans OF the city. The question OF
IL straight ticket is by no means decided,
and from present appearance there are as
many republican voters in this city who
favor a straight nomination rs there are
opposed to il. Three things may be put
down rs certain. First, the democrats
of this county will make n straight party
nomination; second, the nomination OF
fusion ticket will be repudiated by hun
dreds of republican voters; third, as a
consequence, straight republican
ticket will be put in the field, and to
some extent voted for, In case
the convention does not make
straight republican nominations. AZ
TO the success OF mixed ticket
it does not enter into the question
one way or the other. The party as an
organization has an existence, and 1t 10
only rs such organization that it lives,
moves, and has u being. Outside Of its
acts as an organization it mas no mani
tested existence, and the success or de-
feat of individual members OF the party,
seeking Office through other channels
than by direct nomination OF the party
acting as an organization, is a matter
with which the republican party, as a
party, has no concern. The question OF
InajOrities or no majorities is utterly
foreign to the whole matter at issue
The question is, shall the republican
party of Bexar county, rs party, take
nny interest in the politics OF the county,
or shall it practically disband as cOun-
ty party? The republican party was not
organized in the interests OF those who
desire office, but for the accomplishment
Of certain political purposes. These pur-
poses are set forth in what are called
platforms, and upon that declaration of
principles the candidates of the party go
before the people, the party standing
pledged to the people ut large for the
good faith of the candidates it puts forth.
If the party puts forth no candidates,
dominates no ticket, it certainly has no
candidates. Republican individuals,
who are not nominated by the party,
have no claim upon the party when
otherwise nominated. Republican voters
are thus left free TO act their own will
and pleasure rs to whom they will sup
port, and party organization is subor-
dinated for al least the time being. liza
knot of republicans, thus left outside of
party organization and minus party
ticket decide TO make nominations
for Office who can gainsay their
right to do so? The strength
or weakness of TepubliCanism is not the
strength or weakness OF any particular
member of the party, any particular
candidate for office, but the strength or
weakness OF the republican Organiza-
ton. If individuals OF the party deem
themselves stronger than the party, and
prefer q candidacy upon their own mer-
its to a candidacy upon the merits OF
the party, it is certainly their privilege
to do so; but in doing so they should re-
member that their action can have but
| one result-tO weaken the party as pO-
litiosl power. Having this result it
would be very strange logic which
would demand the support of the party
for policy that, if generally pursued,
would destroy its very existence.
Whether Bexar county republicans shall
decide to go out OF business as party
(for no one will deny that the only bust
ness for which party is organized is to
nominate and elect its candidates and
declare upon what platform they shall
stand) or resume business, already dis
continued too long, remains for this con-
yention to decide. The decision was not
Overwhelmingly rendered at the prlma-
ries, a division of the house is called for
on the question, and the roll of dele
gates will be called next Monday TO de-
termine 1t.