The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-07-22
JOHN JONES,

next JOHN JONES,
Chm. Elk. Committee.
The above is a literal copy-with
some v~ariations-of a notice that ap-
pears biennially in our Georgia pa.
pers with as much regularity as 1oes
the season. At the time appointed
two or three hundred out of a voting
population of one thousand assemble
at the court house. John Jones, call
ing the meeting to order, states the
purpose of the meeting, and says: 1t
is now in order to nominate a chair
mar of this meeting. Col. Smith
rises and says: | nominate Col. Jones
for chairman of this meeting. A
Quick second comes from Tom Will
liams, the question is put, and Col.
Jones is made chairman. The Colonel
returns thanks for the honor con-
ferred, counsels harmony and pru-
dence in their deliberations and refers
to the time, honored usage of the
Democratic party in glowing terms,
announces the meeting organized and
ready for business.
Col. Smith raises again, and says:
Mr.. Chairman, | now move that we
proceed to nominate a candidate for
the legislature by ballot.
Chairman The question is on the
motion of Col. Smith to nominate by
ballot; all in favor of that motion will
signify by -
At this moment Jack Wilson, a
timit looking man dressed in farmers
clothes, caught the eye of the chair
man. Mr.. Wilson Strengthened him.
self up and said, "Mr. Chairman, l
amt no speaker, but it don't look
right to me that just what's here
should nominate for the whole county.
There amt half of the o y here, it
don't look fair to me a bit" and down
he sat.
f. Col. Smith was on his legs in a mo-
ment and began by disclaiming any
intention to do anything unfair. Said
that he appreciated the force of what
his friend Wilson had said, compli
mented him and went on to say that
everybody had notice of the meeting,
had been published a month or more,
and those who were not there could
blame nobody but themselves. Said
further that the people were busy with
their crops; didn't care much about it
no way; he himself was Indifferent
about it, but to test the matter would
call for the question. The chairman
put the question: "Those in favor of
nominating by ballot will say aye"
The response was not very hearty,
many not voting: "those opposed,
no." Not a single "no" was heard.
The motion is carried unanimously"
says the chairman, "and you will now
prepare your ballots"
The candidate was duly elected, and
the chairman announced, "next in
order is the selection of delegates to
your congressional convention. How
will you have it done, gentlemen ?
II move the chair appoint" says
Col. Smith.
The motion was put and carried.
The business a. an end, the meeting
adjourned.
This is the regular court house
nomination. Some slight variations
occur, such as a committee reporting
business for the meeting, names of
delegates, but it is practically the
same thing. Smith, Jones and Tom
Williams run this meeting, Tom did
but little, because there was no need
that he should do more. There were
few of these confederates ABOUT in the
crowd that were ready to do their
part, but it so happened that this was
a well managed, and therefore an easy
going thing.
This all looked fair enough to the
people, there was no hitch nor wrangle.
Two-thirds of the voters of the party
were not present when the nomination
was made, but according to party law
it is binding, and as a rule the nomi.
nee will poll the strength of the party
at the ensuing election.
For reasons too obvious to mention,
nominations made in this way cannot
give satisfaction. The candidate him
self cannot feel under much obligation
to any one save those who bossed the
meeting.
The form is given here to show how
cleverly the bosses car manipulate a
public meeting, and to show how the
party machinery is worked to cheat
the people. We have in every county
and in every SCI atorial and congress
sional districts an executive commit
tee. These committees, in a majority
of cases, are in sympathy with the
bosses and ever ready to aid them in
their dirty work.
They will have to be looked after.
and some method of appointing adopted
that will insure the selection of men
who are in sympathy with the people
This is very important.
Next. Every candidate, from the
Governor 6Oun tn tho cOy1Dfv oH7oorc