The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-12-05
THE CRAMFoRD SYSTEM.


The "Crawford County System" if
adopted by the Democratic party of
Carbon, seems to offer a solution of the
present inharmonious condition of the
party. If the Dem ocrats who voted
for Esser or Clauss shall determine,
after due examination, and delibera-
tion, to abandon the present unrepre-
sentative manner of nominating, and
adopt the "Crawford County System" !"
then the vote of every Democrat, at
the primaries will be counted, directly,
and publicly announced, for the candi-
date he prefers. Under our present
system, very often, the popularity of
the delegate, determines the selection
of the candidate, thus in a certain dis
trict, the concensus Of opinion may be
largely in favor of Mr.. A. as the nomi-
nee for an important Office, but Mr.. b.
secures for delegates, to represent him,
certain persons, who because of their
acceptable personality, or peculiar in
fluence, are elected, and thus perhaps
determine the convention contest, and
then how often delegates are traded,
even though elected for specific pur-
pose. Yet under the influence of
convention environments, do the very
opposite. Many candidates in tie
county have realized, too late, that the
delegate, and not the voter, has set
him aside. The political "Boss" seldom
manifests his presence at the primaries,
of course he has his workers" in every
districts, who, obedient to instructions
watch closely, the interests of the
slated favorite, if complete success
fails there, then the fine work of the
"Boss" is shown, and felt, in the final
action of the elected delegates. Toe
often the voter is called upon to sup
port nominees, who are in no particu
lar the choice of the voter. How often
after convention, we hear, slated
ticket, "Boss rule triumphs," the will
of the people again defied. This has
been the situation in both parties fol
years, we have heard many Democrats
denounce delegates for their treachery
inveigh against the Boss, and stigma
tie the whole proceedings of con,
vention as fraud, and disgrace
to the party, and yet year after
year, the same condition confront'
the voter. The present system is noi
Democratic, the will of the majority is
not properly expressed at the primaries
or conventions. There are any mum
ber of excellent citizens in this county
with ability, honesty and zeal, fitting
them for positions of trust and honor
men who would represent and admins
ter for the people, but who will not run
the gauntlet of our present nominating
system.
We venture the assertion that yer!
few Democrats can say that they hav,
not at sometime, opposed, or voted
against the nominees of their party, il
the county, why, too often the reason
is given, that the ticket does not fairl!
represent the wish of majority of thl
voters, hence a bolt, threatening de
feat, and in every case damaging part!
supremacy. 1t is condition that con
fronts the Democratic party of Carbon
now, possibly placing her in tn
) minority column.
: If in each district in the count!
ernest Democrats, who desire
; change, will make the offort, acquain
, themselves with, and advocate tn
, "Crawford SYSTEM" the next count.
! convention, or by call of the Chairman
for a special convention to adopt "Ney
Rules a change can be made, AM
, thus harmonize and make effective tn
) work of the party.
4 There are those who will object to
change in this direction, all that i
legitimate and genuine, deserves at
= tention, the matter can be discusses
without undue exhibition of temper
personal abuse of those who advocat
change is not argument, except in s.
far as it reveals the true character an
positive disposition of those who thu
indulge, with such controversary
= time wasted. If the party is to b
l. harmonized, and made useful, il
k future contests, there must be a chang,
| ABSOLUTE, the trend is in that direction
+ If every sincere, active Democrat L
the county so determines the part
will command her old time majority.
|, A DEMOCRAT