The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-23
NeLns and G0Itl.ier.

upon several points coming within
the purview of the State Democratic execu'
live committee, Much Interest has been
In the course TO be adopted by the
in reference to the COnvention's
ACTON, but SO far no intimation OF what
could or was likely to be done by the execu-
tive committee has been given 10 the puoiic.
In view of the general public interest," In
the matter, the correspondent Of the Ne,ps
and Courier called on Col. Jas. A. Ioyt. chair.
man OF the executive committee, ana asked
him for his views on Those Whc
more directly within the scope OF Ihe com,
mittee. The questions asked Col. Iioyt ana
his answers thereto are given IN the following
interview
"rhe :}I section of the platform adopted by
the March Convention contains certain de-
mands regarding the reapportionmeht or re-
ation In the Slate Convention ana Tue
election of delegates 10 the Convention oy
primary, but 1t is not clearly indicated 10
whom these demands are to apply. Has your
executive committee received any communi-
caticn In regard to them ?"
EARLY OR LATE CONVENTION.
mo, It has not. 4 few days after the ad.
ournincnt of the March Convention receiv-
I'd q respectful and courteous comtnufnica-
lion from Capt. G. w. Shell, chairman OF the
campaign committee named by the Conven-
ion requesting that the Democratic Stale
should not be convened until
late In August. to which l replied that his
letter would be placed before the executive
committee at It's first meeting, ana al the
same time reminded him that the snte C9a' ,a
ventIon was generally called about the mid.
ile or last Of August for the purpose Of nonl-
mating candidates for Governor, Lieutenant
Governor etc, but that the last Convention
was held on the 9th OF September.
DEMANDS WHICH MEET NO FAVOR WITH THE
OFFICE HOLDING WING.
IL have been surprised ut the demands to
which you refer, however, and am curious To
know upon whom they will be made. Inc
avOwcd author of the platform Is Capt. TILL
man, and II Is a singular fact that these de-
nands of its Sd section are utterly impructic-
able and unattainable. The nrst clause reads
as follows:
ave demand the reapportlonment Of repre-
In the Democratic Convention upon
the basis of the census OF lSSO, and that IL go
$50 other authority than the Suite execu-
tive committee can issue call for the Demo.
cratic Convention, and 1t must be guidea
solely by the constitution OF the party, which
directs as follows:
"The State Convention shall be composed
Df delegates from each county in the numerl-
cll proportion TO which that county IL enti-
tied in both branches Of the General Assem-
bly,"
REAPPoRTIoNMENT IMPOSSIBLE.
"The committee has no discretion what
ever as to the basis Of representation. ana IL
is surprising that a gentleman aspiring 10
ly make such demand, which slight In
Scstlca,i0n shows cannot be complied with.
ann in full sympathy with the idea OF reap
when IL can be done lawfully,
int thv legislature refused TO change the OASIS
and we arc bound to observe the law as II is
l;;id down in the constitution OF the party.
Any other course is dcmoraliZing and suici-
dal.
THE DEMAND FOR PRIMARIES.
''The other demand Of the Sd section OF the
platform Is as follows:
ave demand that the delegates TO the
State Nominating Convention shall be chosen
by prlmnry election ON the same day that the
other officers are nominated, ana that all the
shall hold these primaries on the
same day, to-wit. the last Tuesday In August
Of each election year.
ut is not clear whether the author of the
platform meant that this portion should go
into effect at once, but presume 1t was SO
int ndcd. This demand Is equally unfortu-
nate with the preceding clause. There is no
power to regulate the election OF delegates To
the State Convention and dictate the MODE OF
their selection. Certainly the State execu-
tive committee has no authority In the pre-.
misses and it has never attempted 10 exercise
any control Of this important matter.
PRIMARIES CANNOT DE FORCED.
Zach county is entirely free to provide its
own mode of choosing delegates to the State
Convention, and this has been the case all the
while. No power can prevent any county
from electing its delegates by primary, and IL
Is equally true that no power can compel any
county to adopt the primary for this pur-
pose.
"The proposition TO hold primary elections
for delegates on the same day In all the coun-
ties Is altogether out of the question, unless
the counties agree thereto. II wonid take con-
,I,to. k>la ii IN, I'm l,n
what would suit one locality might prove In.
conv venient 10 o:hcrS. At any rate. the way
is open for any county to order the election OF
delegates by the primary system whenever II
chooses. and the election will be valid and
and unQuestioned."
1.-THE GEORGIA rLAN" DOES NOT SUIT.
"IIow about what Is termed the Georgia
plan of candidates going before the people ?
Is there any way provided for discussion, so
that the voter will have an opportunity OF
hearing from the nSpirantS rs To their views
upon public questions ?"
1.-The Georgia plun,' as IL Is termed, Is not
adapted 10 our condition, if understand 1t.
The course pursued In some counties OF Geor.
gin Is TO hold mass meetings, which decide
ton usually without ballot, but always in the
absence OF very many voters. Two years ago
we had preliminary Convention In this
State, a mass meeting being held in each
ing Candidates for State offices, but it proved
SO unsatisfactory In many respects that the
State Convention repealed the clause OF the
under which these meetings
were held, and adopted the following:
1.-the State Democratic executive commit
tee shall request each county committee to
call n meeting in their respective counties to
which all candidates for State offices Shall
be invited"
I'm my Judgment this will meet the de-
mand ior full discussion OF public measures,
and amply provide the opportunities for get.
ting nj the views Of candidates.
RISK OF 4 CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.
"But while this is true, end the Democratic
party has given aboundant proof OF It's WILL
ingness TO arrange preliminary campaign,
we are to have the singular contest OF cam
paign committee arranSnga schedule OF up
pOintment for q single canuidntc, whereas the
purpose of this arrangement Vas To hear nom
al the candidates. u Is obligatory upon the
State executive committee Ia request these
meetings in all OF l,e coui.ties. and u Is left
with the counties whether they will be held.
II seems 10 me that there will likely mrisecon-
tlict between the appointments Of the Demo
cratic party and the appointments OF Capt.
rillnan's campaign committee, when such
conflict ought 10 be avoided II possible. AS
suredly the authority 0 the Democratic par.
ty cannot be made SubScrvient to any faction
and SO TAR as ! am concerned Will urge most
strennuously that the arrangements OF the
party, as adopted by the Stale Convention,
Shall take precedence Of all other plans for
a preliminary canvass OF the state. or course
Can't. Tillmun or any other CITIZEN has an I'm.
doubted rishL TO make his own campaign tor
any Office, but al!udc to the possibility OF
arrangements by which the au.
thority of the Democratic party might be put
into contempt, and In that event 1t will be
the duty of the State executive committee to
assert the supremacy OF the party US against
any faction. Here lies one Of the dangers re-
sultiEg from the construction of u wheel
within q yhar!,' and it would be the wiser
plan IL all pa rites would accept the provision
already nude for Il preliminary campaign,
Instead of acting indepently. Every occaston
for friction ought to be avoided In this CAM.
paign, not only because we are In the con-