The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-08-10
rhe Primarieg ana Convention.

The County Central Committee at its meet
ing on Monday, named Saturday, September
It'll. as the day for holding primary meetings,
and the Monday following for the County
Convention.
In regard to the primaries the Committee
has made slight change. It has been the
practice heretofore to open aud close the pri-
MARES at specified hours, as from 8 to
o'clock, 4 TO 6, to 4, and so on, according
10 the recommendation of the members from
the several districts. As result it was often
difficult to get persons to serve as judges and
clerks for so long period, on the one hand,
and on the other frequently persons who
desired to be candidates have gotten mp dele
gate tickets pledged to vote for them IN the
county convention, aud the convention was
not only iuterfered with in nominating candi-
dates, but the pledged delegates have been
for their one man alone, willing to vote for
any one from another district, regardless Of
his merits, who would cast the vote Of his
district for their maa. Pledged delegates
have sometimes been known % refuse to pre-
sent the names Of aspirants for other positions
from their districts, for fear the convention
might select them and their own iavoFite
might not be nominated. While aspirants
for the same position in the same district
have the right, if they choose, to run delegate
tickets Of their own, it is not fair TO the party
that they should. They shut out the expires.
uion Of the voters for any other place upon
the ticket, and consequently many Democrats
become disguised. refuse TO attend the prima-
ries and sometimes are lukewarm toward the
ticket. Not only this, bat contests some
times become heated and personal, and the
defeated side a, best gives bat half hearted
support 10 the successful candidate.
The object Of the committee in recommend
ing primary meetings 10 be held at a specified
hoEr is 10 avoid such a condition, aud to
bring about a convention which may select
the bes, men to represent public interests
without regard 10 the ambitions Of men who
might be willing to force themselves on an
unwilling convention. Il is presumed that
the mass Of Democrats are more interested IN
the ascendaney Of Democratic principles aud
the application Of them to government, than
in individuals, further than that they desire
men best adapted 10 serve their interests.
They want meetings for consultation, which
the former mode did not so well present.
They want delegates pledged only to do the
best for the party and the people, and con-
vention composed Of fair and unbiased men
who will consult and act to that end
It was suggested in the debate on the
change, that it might afford opportunity ior
tricksters to ply their art, be on hand with taeir
followers at the appointed hour, hurriedly
select officers, choose delegates, and adjourn.
Fair notice is given to all Democrats, and II
any considerable number are present at the
hour of meeting, there viii be no opportunity
for trickery, shrewdness or smartness. But
il was not supposed that anybody would desire
10 take advantage in that manner. No
Democrat ought to desire TO take advantage
of his neighbors by any such proceeding,
and such proceeding would be a fraud. Il
the attendance at any place Of meeting at the
specified hour is not large, IT was presumed
reasonable delay would be had in order TO
give time for others to come. II was not
thought practicable to name an hour for
closing, but leave that to the judgment OF
each meeting After the election OF officers
OF the meeting and the selection of dele.
gates, the meeting will of course adjourn.
This might consume half an hour, or It
might take tive hours
The plan, it seems TO us, is preferable to the
former practice. 1t is impossible to restraiH,
absolutely, those who would act unfairly, but
ifthe voters will act upon the recommendation
of the Committee, and turn out in force at the
meetings, little opportunity viii be offered for
any packing or jugglery. 1t is hoped that no
aspirant for place on the ticket would desire
to deal unfairly. ANY that would is unfit to
be nominated and unworthy of public conf