Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1891-02-07
Co,respondence.

Mr.. EDIToR:-The time is at hand
when tho Democratic Chairman of
the county will call for a Convention,
The object of this meeting will be to
fix upon the mode and time of nomi-
mating candidates for the ensuing
Spring elections. Your correspond
ent believes he speaks advisedly when
he says that q majority of Democrats
in the county desire a change from
the mode usually adopted. The sys-
tenn of primaries is entirely open to
objections, among which the follow
ing may be mentioned:
l. The plan is cumbersome; it not
only involves the people in the polit-
ical strain of two elections, but is an
unjust and burdensome tax upon
candidates.
.. For the above reason it narrows
the choice Unavailable candidates, ex-
Guiding men who might otherwise be
the choice of the people, but who are
nat urally unwilling to enter n politi-
Gel middle involving two canvasses.
3. The plan is unjust and unfair,
not only to the party but to the pub
lie, inasmuch as it involves the pos
sibility of u single candidate who
wonld necessarily receive the nomi-
nation, however incompetent or I'M
available. In any event, the candi-
date must seek the Office, and not the
Office the candidate.
4. There is no issue which can be
made in primary that is not either
personal or factional-a deplorable
result in either ca.e. Such a canvass
therefore must noccssitate the agita-
tion of questions not cn,y dangerous
to the candidates themselves but to
the harmony and welfar, Of the
party.
5. Though claiming to b. the only
fair test of the will of the party, it is
more than doubtful if il always is SO.
In view of the above facts, the follow
ing outline of a plan for making
county nominations is submitted for
the consideration, not only of party
leaders, but of the rank and file:
/. That nominations for county
elections be made by u county Con-
vention.
.. That this Convention lie com
posed of delegates sent from precinct
meetings, on the basis of one delegate
to every--Democratic voters. no
de!cgate to cas- more than his indi-
vidual vote
8. That the county Convention be
called for q Monday, at the Court
House, and the precinct meetings be
held on the preceding Saturday.
1t will he seen that the object of
the above plan is to place nomina-
tions in the hands of representative
Democrats from all parts of the coun-
ty, and to confine the discussion of
fractional issues, and personal ques-
lions OF fitless and availability with
in strictly party lines. That such Il
representative body of men could rs
faithfully and wisely reflect the will
of the people as is generally done by
a Primary election will hardly admit
of doubt.
While there is manifestly, much
truth in the charge that Conventions
arc subject to the devices and tricks
of political wire-pullers, it is equally
true that Primaries are not above
reproach. No one will pretend to
deny that culpable Indifference, I'M
fair Misrepresentation, bull-dozing
and even vote-buyins are the occa-
sional fruits of such elections, and
that the result often depends more
upon the skill and assiduity of the
canvasser than upon his fitness and
claim to the nomination.
A DEMOCRAT.