The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-26

officers of the convention. The duty of the as
sistant secretaries should be to receive and
count when the convention votes by ballot.
Tic any delegate be absent his alternate can
act on presentation of a certificate of his cleo
ton. No vacancy should be filled from the by
ISLANDERS. The convention has no authority to
create delegates. The professionals are poor
material from which to construct them. When
a convention assumes to fill vacancies from
spectators gross unfairness results. A few duly
chosen delegates can do the work better than
those who seek service for n0torietv or revenue.
A delegate in Republican convention should
be free from fear, or bias. Our party is largely
composed of thoughtful men who act in good
faith and according to the rules of common
sense. Each Republican wants q free vote
and fair count" No occasion for the use OF the
words 'slate," 'clique," ring" or "boss" should
occur in the makeup of a convention. The aim
OF those who make committees and tickets
should be to attract every Republican vote. Let
the legitimate delegates act and not bastard del
egates who have lakes to grind" delegate
who fails perform his mission must account
to those who appoint him. There is no use for
substitutes. The evil of filing delegates from
the SPECTATORS is plain one and should be
avoided in the future.
The intervention of committees suggested by
slate-makers in the main work OF the convention
is trick to suppress honest expression. Let
speeches be confined to three minutes, and take
time to do the work indicated in the call, in di-
rect way. by a ma orty vote.
All elections and nominations should result
from a majority ballot a call of the roll. The
ballot is the most thoughtful method of express
sion. In formal matters the sense of the con-
vention can be taken body by word or sign.
Some silent men lack courage to bear the cross
of viva voce vote in exact accordance with the
dictates of their own judgment. neigh
boris wishes may be at stake The
silent mems opinions are worthy
of expression. Each delegate ought,
truthfullv to bear good opinion of the conven-
tons fairness and equity home to his constitu-
ents No part of result should be announced
until the whole vote is cast.
There ought to be no hurry. It is cheaper to
prevent than to dissatisfaction. It is
easier to avoid the appearances of unfairness
than to explain them. We abhor secession
ideas in the confederate Democrats. We ought
TO teach union in our conferences 1t Is easier
TO nominate good for the places
ticket than to elect bad men after they
nominated I know that feuds and complaints
have originated from permissible acts IN con-
ventions follows:
l. By pretending to fiji vacancies with self
constituted delegates.
2 Social, political. local and personal coercion
of timid delegates by viva voce methods.
3. Voting solid by localities.
est of log-rolline and trades.
AS we approach the construction and opera
ton of our conventions for 1888 let think of
these things correct them. Instead OF abus-
ing those who find fault. LET our conventions be
so built and run that Republicans will naturally
use the friendly pronoun we. by saying did
the best we could 5. T. THOMPSON.
Ian