The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-02-21

Will be discarded, rs its perpetuation means the
end Of Democratic Aseendeney in this county
within the very near future. J.J.K.
ST. BoNFACE. PA, Feb. II. 1870.
Editor FrsenaGn.-As the Chairman OF the Dem
ocratic County Committee has called that body
10 meet for the purpose OF considering the pro-
priety Of changing our system OF nominating
candidates for ONCE II behooves Democrats 70
give the subject careful and unbiased considera-
tion. notice the charge made that the move
meut looking to a change originates with the
politicians Of the county. Now as far as the mat
ter comes within the scope OF my observation this
charge Is uniounded In TACT. In this. the north
ern part OF the county, the party as with one
voice demands a change. Although At the time
OF the adoption of the Crawford county system.
and for some years after Il had many warm and
active friends, among them the writer, but now,
after wears Of experience with It $ a system 1T
would be dificult 20 md = eorpOrars guard OF in
telligent Democrats who would for its longer
continuance. The arguments agsinst .. are many
and all eminently sufficient 20 condemn Il VIII en-
submitted 20 the Intelligent consideration Otthe
party.
The principle objection is, that under the sys-
tenn Il s impossible 70 make fair. Just or salts
factory distribution OF otaces TO locality na-
tiouaIity and other acknowledged claims We
all know what disastrous consequences TO the
party may follow the ignoring OF the just claim
OF localities and nationalites 70 recognition In
the party, We know that as rule little interest
Is taken In our pr imAry elections and the candi
date who has the most time and money 70
spend in eanvassing the county. no matter what
hts claims are, invariably comes out many
lengths ahead. / could name districts In this
county to-day. that 20 speak the truth, have been
treated shamefuIy by the party In this eonnee-
tion districts tco on which we have 10 depend
largely for our maoritIes at the general elections
and that have never gone back on us In any OF
our emergencies, but their claims have been per
sistently ignored and will continue TO be, am
afraid under the present system have seen
these districts put out their best citizens. men OF
undoubted qualifications, but they were not glib
tongued politicians. but plain, honest men, bat
uhat chance had they with the man OF CAB and
| gold who with hts friends was securing over
the whole county. night and day. soliciting and
| procuring votes by all the methods, good or bad,
| known to the politician Is II any wonder. Mr..
Editor. that these men and districts would feel
| sore as say. Such a condition of things could
/ not have existed under the delegate system. No
/ doubt that old system abused no dOuo: poll
/ tfcians had influence IN some Of the old
| conventions III an they should have been permit
ted TO exercise but withal the party was harmo-
| Nous Care was taken generally that the ticket
| was distributed 10 satisfy and do justice TO
! all. The old convention was deloerative body
! generally composed Of the best men In the party
| in each district They looked over the whole
| ground; they considered the claims and qualin-
! cations OF all; they no doubt consulted occasion
ally the recognized leaders Of the party as to
what was best to do and no one will claim that
1 there was anything wrong with this, as these
| leaders Tor the ring) they som etim es
/ called were men who might be met any time Of
night OF day, traversing the hemlock bottoms
| and marrow lanes throughout the county, spend
ing their own money for the beneht Of the party
and the party's candidates and received precious
| little TOR it. Not one OF these old horses.
these old Iingsters iorsooth but can demonstrate
| TO you that all he received IN return for his In
| vestments in politics a ve-y small percent
| age capital stock. It was unfortunate
thing Tor them that abuse had no commercial
| value; ifit had they would have been well paid.
Some years since remember that great and
good man. T. V. Powderly, was urged 10 become
| . candidate for Congress. With all his acknovl-
edged merits and popularity he forced to
I make the humiiiatug declaration that he was
"too poor n man 10 run for Congress In HIS dis
trict." This acknowledgement coming from such
| n man struck the whole country as n sad COM
| meutary our bOasted republican institutions.
] IL was even copied In the papers OF monarchical
countries a proof that a government by the
! people must be n failure after all Now how IL
7 Il under the present system in this county Just
I as Powderiy, unless n man r. rich he dare not be
/ a candidate Tor ONCE IN this county. II you
| want proof Of this ask candidates what IL cost
them
Now what was the condition OF things under
the old system. One illustration is sufficient.
Every one at all conversant with the old times
| viii recall numerous cases similar as they oe-
Cured in every convention The one l will men
tion was the case Of a very plain isrmer without
any means outside Of a small farm, who was pur-
suaded by HIS neighbors TO be . candidate for an
/ important of1ce- He not known outside Of
four OF Ave rural districts but these were largely
Democratic. He made no canvass outside OF
these districts- His neighbOrs though demanded
his nomination. they claimed II aud he was nou-
mated and elected BY the soOd old Democratic
majority OF !, ZOE. This had not one friend
I among the politicians as the term Is politically
understood. They did not know him politically
but nevertheless they advised his nomination In
order to soIidify the party and make Il harmo-
Gus and say that every name placed upon
I the ticket that day IN tAat convention was tor
the same purpose. 10 harmonic the party, and it
was well, for that ticket triumPhsntiy withstood
one Of the nercest political assaults known In the
history Of the party. Now the expenditure OF the
time and money of this and other candidates on
that ticket up the time OF the no mina:ien was
but trihng. Certainly there were expenses Af-
terwarf and the su eeessful candidates paid the
bills. bat they could afford it, they h ad the bird
Il
Justly objects the high tee required of eandi-
dates. The only remedy IL the delegate ~ stem,
with air It's old regulations You can always md
men to serve the board. and II they and the
delegates are to be paid expenses, let the sue
eessful candidates foot the bill II Is claimed that
the delegate system takes the nomination OF can
didates out OF the hands of the people. Now
this Is surely an absurdity. II We select one or
two men In whose honesty and com potency we
have confidence 70 act for under instruc-
tions, certainly tits We that make the nomina-
tions. These men acting In a represen .ative
capacity and need not be afraid of their be-
traying the trust reposed In them- In regard to
each district being equally represented In the
convention this could be adjusted by increasing
the number of delegates establishing a ratio
| of representation 1 think Mr. Editor that II the
party will seriously consider this matter with the
light of the experiences We have mad recently in
the party. our constantly diminishing majority,
our repeated disasters and disgraeeful family
b quarrels they will be willing 70 adopt any meas
ure that will promise harmony and the recovery
Of our old prestige In little Cambria ! am no
politician. being one Of the rank and nIe with
no axe TO grind benefits TO expect. with but
one motive and that the prosperity Of our coed
I old party In the county. l commerd this subject
% the careful deliberations Of my Democrat ie
! brethren throughout the county. ! consider IL
due 20 Chairman Gray 10 say that In making