The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-01

Party Distinction.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
In the off year, while partisan strife is
not at white heat, one can safely scan our
party ritual with a critics eye. In the
post-conventional work of a campaign tho
ad hominem has no proper APP
plication. In choosing linen and measures
for advocacy, however, each member of our
party should have a convenient, easy and
equal chance to help pro rata in the forma-
ton Of the committee, platform and tick
ct. The ante-conventional and couven-
~tional work of our party should
present picture of our leading doctrines
Any political district, as defined by law. Is
an indivisible locality for the purposes of
It's formation. Each voting citizen OF that
political district is an equal factor in reach
ing nominative or elective results. In the
Nation. State, district, county, city, town
or township. acting for either, each elector
should be peer, without regard to his
of the district in which action is taken.
The Republicans should lift each elector to
the plane of equality in his direct and dele
gate rights within the party. subject to
the will of majority.
The trend of all our party decisions
favors the voting unit as structural ele-
ment of a convention. DELEGATE Campbell.
in 1880. presented for the decision of our
national convention whether a members
vote was a matter personal to himself. The
delegates Justly decided the question in
accordance with party. doctrine: In the
late adjustment of the Virginia imbroglio u
point was made in favor of the voters peer
ship in building State convention. Why
should the party not transact all Its busl-
ness of building platforms, committees and
tickets on the absolu te equal rights doctrinef
Our party has catered so long to Little
Vans" confederate cancus system that 1t
hath become trite saying Il can see no
difference" l want purely Republican
rosy to mar its beauty. 1t is time new
leaf was printed aud the confederate leaf
torn from our book of party acts. The
rank and file" OF our party do hunger anu
thirst for home taste of honest politics.
The new system will declare out OF order
the following standing confederate move
ments as land down by Van Buren,:
Flrst-"The appointment by reclamation
OF q temporary chairman with power TO APP
point committees Neither temporary Of
hcers nor committees ought to have a place
IN true Republican convention. Blossom
Brick well says in speaking of the old sys-
TEN: ''fhe temporary chairman is the con-
vention." The plausible reports of his
committees thwart the true wish of the
members of the convention.
Second-No alternate, agent, proxy or
substitute should be permitted in the new
style of organization. They are ax-grind-
ers Tor those who would fOreStall the Judg-
ment. A voter or delegate who does not
attend should not be counted.
Third-Where there is any difference of
opinion, we will have no acclamation, viva
vOce or standing vote decide, but decide by
q written ballot. The silent. thinking man
judging between DeighbOrs-shOuld have
the sword and shield of secret ballot to
strike the unworthy and preserve peace.
F0urth-ln the new order there will be
no local distinctions or separations. but
each member will be unit in the roll
call. He will be constituent. or repre-
sent a separate constituency, according to
the dictates of his Judgment.
Fifth-No nominating or withdrawal
speeches will be made. but each will vote
or be voted for according to the silent wish
of those entitled to ballot.
Sixth--No announcement of n result less
than the voice of the whole assembly will
be permitted In the new style of conven-
ton. l believe every Republican has sense
TO cast o written ballot. and party fealty to
abide the wish of majority. JUS
tice should extend to the structure
of our assemblies-the facility of attend
ance and the method of decision. The
initial assemblies should be as convenient
for the voters as the school-hOuses are tc
our children. The campaign fight should
be against our partisan enemies and not
within our own ranks. S. p. THOMPSON.
RENSSELAER,, July 80.