San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-07-10
CHAIRMAN FINLEY.
lie Gives Some Onieiai Opinions rs TO
Democratic Primaries, etc.

upon mo ~ CuhlTlll w VI tHo HVthpSi"
cy OF the state, and with high sense
OF its responsibilities, i have, will
with o steady and impartial hand,
endeavorod to point out the path o'
regular party action, leading to full
expression OF democratic sentiment,
and the preservation OF the integrity
and strength Of our party organiza
ton. / should not address again
on thosubject, knowing full well that
my words OF counsel are yet fresh III
your memories, were l not moved by
what seems to be- o deliberate effort
at suppression OF democratic senti-
ment, or disruption OF democratic or
ganization. 1 cannot reconcile the
utterances daily appearing in the
newspapers, from open letter writer's
and stump speakers, with a sincerity
of purpose to promote practical, hon
est methods Of gathering and enlorc-
ing tue opinion and will OF the demo-
sratic masses.
Under the cry Of danger, s6lf-con-
stituted leaders have rushed to the
front, and instead of trying to secure
harmony of action and preservation
of organization, havo advised revolts
and laid plans for bolts, contests and
disruption.
Who are those who deny any au-
thority in and impugn the motives
Of the chairman while assuming 80
much for themselves? Do they stand
on any lofty eminence Of impartiality
and through patriotism alone sound
the alarm bell to arouse the sleeping
democracy?
Let their several positions in this
campaign and their intemeperate
utterances of personal PARTISAN pas
sion answer. The damage is said to
lie in my statementas to qualifications
of and methods which should obtain
in admission to democratic primaries.
Is there anything new and danger
Gus in my official suggestions to
dem ocracy? Hear them, in sub
stance, rs uniformly given:
l. The party has announced no
fixed rules for testing qualifications
for admission in primaries, but trusts
to the loyalty and DISCRETION. of its
members in local organizations in
such matters.
2. A man should reside in the 10
cality where the primary is held,
possess the general qualifications of II
voter and be q democrat, who Is per.
mitted to participate in democratic
primaries.
3, An open announcement OF ad-
hereuce to the principles of democra'
cy, accompanied by on obligation to
support its organized action, is or
dinnrily sufficient evidence of good
faith to be passport into demo
cratic primaries.
4. Should there exist in any par
ticular locality serious apprehension
of On clement previously unfriendiy,
in bad faith seeking admission into
our primaries, the local organization
should provide an effectual method
of excluding all such, being careful
not to close our doors against any
democratic voter who honestly and
in good faith seeks admission.
No, fellow democrats, the diroc-
tons I have given you breathe o
spirit of harmony and integrity OF
democracy and practical honest poll
tics, and the alarm is false one,
owing to the foreshadowing of de
mooratic sentiment, and is being
sounded by exasperated partizans
for purposes other than the triumph
of the will of the democratic masses.
II I were to heed the sickly, hypo-
critical warnings and entrenties OF
these self-appointed guardians OF the
democracy of Texas l would have
ample authority, in their opinion, to
direct the matter of organized action,
AMI I would then be led to bar the
door of our party again st the great
body of laboring democrats of this
state,
! am already asked by an affection
ate open correspondent to denounce
rs the enemies of democracy the two
agricultural papers of the state, for
the reason that they are advising
those of their readers who have here,
tofore departed from the democratic
fold, to return and share in the prlvi-
leges and blessings of democracy.
He would have Chinese well erect
ed around those who can furnish q
perfect pedigree of past loyalty and
depond on the fruit of their loins for
increase. 1 have no fear from the
farming, and hboring element, as
would FOR one moment induce me to
seriously consider such radical action.
have an abiding faith in the demo.
cracy of the body OF agricultural
voters of Texas, and l feel assured
that they will exercise the privilege
of Local self government in party nf
fairs with as much safety to purity
OF democracy as any other element
in the state.
Iwould be as ready to condemn
any secret political organization oil
combination Of laboring men, rs be
I inc anla-ouisdc to democracy, anC
with as ready q hand lock the door o
our party organization against them
as any living man. No man whC
owes fealtv to another political organ
ization sbCuld have any voice in dem