The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-26
SHALL. WE HAVE THE PRIMARY:

or shall they ne elected ny tAe olEcn-
ton. The Convention which meets
here Oh Saturday Of this week is called
for the purpose of reorganizing for the
campaign, and for the adoption Of i
constitution for the Democratic party
OF Newberry County.
We understand that ii Is the purpose
Of many persons to eject delegates to
the State Convention, which meets III
Columbia on September 10th, at the
County Convention to be held here on
Saturday. There is no qu' stion that
the Tillnan men will control the Con-
vvntion on Saturday by Il very large
majority. We are also satisfied that the
election of delegates to the State Con-
vention was not contemplated III the
call issued for this County Convention.
1t has never been customary in this
county to elect delegates to a State
Convention 20 long before the Conven-
ton meets, and we do not see how they
can be elected on Saturday without
totally disredarding the constitution
Of the Democratic party in this county,
and why should they be elected so long
before the meeting Of the State Con-
vention. Surely the Tillman men are
not afraid Of :; reaction Of public senti-
ment in the county before the first Of
September.
Now let us see what the constitution
says On this point:
The State Constitution Of the Demo-
c-atic party says in regard to the eiec-
ton Of delegates: ANY county, if it
see fit, may at the same time choose
delegates to attend t,ro different State
Conventions: Proidcd, The same be
held not more than four months apart:
P'OUdc0 also, That notice Of the same
be given in the call to elect such dele
gateS.n This is an amendment passed
September 9Th, ISSS. The clause pre-
ceding this provides that each State
Convention shall be composed OF new
ly elected delegates.
The present County Constitution,
which has been in force since 1873, pro-
vides that a County Convention 'shall
he called for specific purpose or pur-
poses which shall be stated in the call,
bat it may without previous notice act
upon any matter of detail or any I'M
toreseen eNigency." Now we ask, is
the election Of delegates to the State
Convention q mere matter of detail, or
has any unforeseen eXigency arisen?
We do not believe the Democrats Of
Newherry will 60 in the face of the
constitution Of the party, and con-
trary to all precedentin the Democratic
party, and elect delegates this long be-
fore the meeting Of the State nOmina-
ting Convention. What is to he gained
by it? fit is done the conclusion will
be inevitable that the leaders Of the
Tillman menin the Convention will
be afraid to risk the educating in
fluences of this campaign of educa-
ton" Otherwise why should they de-
sire to elect at this time?
But there is another phase Of this
question to which we desire to direct
attention. Shall we elect our dele
gates DO primary election: And if not,
why not: This question will be left
to the decision of the Tillman followers,
who will largely control the Conven-
ton on Saturday, and the responsible
ty of its decision will rest with them.
Mr.. Til!man, in his public speech at
Greenville, as we understood it, and at
other points, said he wanted the people
to speak in this matter, and said this
was the first time the people ever had
had the opportunity to hear and see
the candidates for Governor before
their election was assured, and he
urged the election Of delegates to the
State Convention by primary election.
Whether his followers mean to carry
out the provisions Of the March Con-
vention platform in this matter, and
the expressed preference of Mr.. Tillman
0: not, may depend on circumstances.
We observe that Mr.. l'illman at Union
refused to 60 into an agreement with
Gen. Earle on the subject of 4 primary.
The Democrats of No. S Township
in this county have passed resolutions
in favor Of q primary election.
The question is what will the Con-
vention on Saturday do.
The County Convention which met
here two years ago passed the follow
ing resolutions in electing delegates to
the first state Convention that was
held:
"Rcso}rcd, That the delegates from
this county to the State Convention be
instructed to Use their influence to
have all State nominations made by
primary, if practicable, and in the
event it should be deemed impractic-
able, then 70 insist upon the holding Of
two State Conventions"
We understand that some of the
advocates of this resolution two years
ago are now opposed TO L primary, and
~ favor Cf tho Convention on Sat1lr