The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-02
Primary Reform Needed.

The Wing last week publishes the follow
ing remarkable document. We had heard
that such paper was in existence, but
there are SO many inventions of the kind
started about political management that the
public hardly notice them. If this docu-
ment is really genuine 1t is about time some-
thing was done to place primary elections
under the surveillance of law. Here is the
agreement:
This Agreement made this sixth day of
June in the year eighteen hundred and
ninety one by and between Charles C.
Crolhers, Of the first part, and Elliott
Graham and Stephen j. Caldwell, of the
second part witnesseth that the said parties
have agreed as follows:
First-That the delegation from this
the Eighty district to the Democratic
County Convention shall consist of Charles
e. Grothers. Elliott Graham, Stephen J.
Caldwell, Nathan Montgomery, and Viii.
liam J. SINNERS.
Second-That said delegation shall sup
port Austin L. Crothers for States Attorney,
and shall use all honorable (?) means to
secure his nomination.
Third-That said delegation shall snp-
port james T. Graham for Clerk of the
Circuit Court, provided the Seventh distric.
delegation supports Austin L. Crothers for
States Attorney, or secures from some other
district like number of votes for Austin l..
Crothers; the intention being that the
Eighth district delegation shall not support
James I. Graham for Clerk, unless he
furnishes to Austin L. Crothers like
number, either from the Seventh or some
other district, vote for vote.
In witness whereof we hereunto set our
hands and seals.
CHARLES G. CRoTHERs, [Seal]
ELLIOTT GRAHAM, fSeall
STEPHEN J. CALDWELL, TSeall
If the above is not genuine the parties
will of course promptly deny it. If it is a
true document, it is deliberately bargaining
away the peoples rights and virtually sell
ing their liberties-for carry the principle
up higher and in place of a couple of county
candidates insert candidate for President
of the U. S., Senator or Representative in
Congress and then take a view of the con.
dition.
The people are not moving minute too
soon to overthrow the corrupt systems which
prevail in our parties and politics. There
is no safety for the government till the peo-
pie learn that parties ss at present consti-
tu:ed are the greatest danger to free gov
eminent of all the public enemies which
confront them. A thorough reform in The
primary election is the first step to be taken.
and the reform should be by introducing the
Australian ballot system into the primary.
where the candidates to be nominated
should be voted for direct at the primary.
Ex-senator Writ will lead this movement
next winter in the Legislature he will
deserve we'll of his constituents and the
people of the whole State.
The above Eighth district document or
article of "Agreemenr'-if genuine-is but
a virtual duplicate of many others. no
doubt, by which the United States Senate
and House have been filed up by corpora.
ton attorneys and the valuable public
property and franchises of the people
handed over to rings of conspiraiors. What
else is such document hut conspiracy 10
betray the liberties Of the people, fully as
much as the paper found in the stocking of
Major Andre by the three Continental SOL
diers who stopped and searched the British
spy? Farmers and good people generally. |
who are not concerned about getting Office
bat are concerned about the welfare of The
nation, this thing did not originate in n
country district, where ii is comparatively
harmless, but in the higher walks of public
affairs. whence it gradually drifted down
Till 1t is coming ir use at The very door.sill
and hearth stone ofthe people. Through
this little document like the view throush a
telescope may be observed the avenues nv
which the bene6ciaries of class legisIatian
have reached the bouniies they enjoy
piundered BY fraud and stealth from he
people.
p. S-The above agreement, is nro.
aoanced by the Cecil Nsrs to be a f5ree,y
dow is this gentlemen Of the party Of The /
'ther part Z