Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-05-14
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
Must all be Chosen in State Convention.
Hrtncrasrsss RsrrnIICaN

HrSncUasrsRs RErtRtICaN
SrsrE COMMITTEE,
Arersra, Me, MAY, fS9s.
To the Republicans of Maine;
\ question having arisen whether elee
tors can now be nominated by district
conventions, or must be nominated in a
State convention. by reason of the change
made in the election laws of Maine by the
passage of what is known as the Australian
ballot law | have submitted the matter to
the consideration of the attorney general of
the State; and by his advice the call for the
Republican State convention to nominate a
candidate for Governor. will include the
nomination of electors at large in place of
the electors heretofore nominated by dis
trlct conventions.
The Australian Ballot Law, which in.
chndes within its scope, all elections for
national State, district and county officers, "
introduces new and important feature into
our election concerns and one which de-
mands the careful attention of all political
party committees.
Prior To this new Law, party nominating
conventions while constantly recurring
feature of every election year, have existed
upon basis of UNIV rittcn law" or custom;
ttuN tHliphN lidNt never IttAtttu EtNN-
ution in the statutes of this State, although
by usage they have become necessary part
of our election machinery with the people
This law, for the first time in the history
of the State. has taken cognizance of these
conventions, and by legislative enactment
has constituted them a portion of our elec-
tion system; which action in effect, is To
have AN important bearing upon certain Gus
toms which have hitherto prevailed,
Ii also, by the provisions of section three,
accomplishes two very important objects,
first: it divides the State into state. and
electoral districts. so far as the making of
nominations is concerned; second,
il provides substantially, that
nominating conventions, hitherto not
known To the Law shall henccforth have a
legal status, and not only that, but that
party candidates to be voted for by the party
voters of the whole State shall be nom-
mated in convention representing the party
voters of the whole State.
Party candidates 10 be voted for by the
party within Il county or an electoral dis
trict" shall be nominated in party conyen-
ton representing the party voters of
such county or electoral district, and
proper certificates, under oath must pre-
cede the printing of all names of candidates
upon the official ballot.
This law will be found to work a radical
change in Il certain custom of long standing,
10 wit That relating to the nominations of
candidates for electors of President and
Vice President
II has ALWAYS been the custom of political
parties to nominate two Presidential electors
at large, corresponding to the two United
the remaising electors, corresponding
To the members of the [ :. House of Rep
rescntatiyes, being nominated by the sew
cral Congressional District Conventions,
notwithstanding that an old law required all
the electors TO be voted for on one ticket by
the voters throughout the state.
This custom, for it never was law, is
now superseded by the new Ballot Act
which requires. AS stated above. that candl.
dates to be voted for hv the voters through
out the whole State must he placed i'll nom
nation by a convention representing ne
less a constituency than the whole State.
From which il appears that henceforth al
the candidates of party for Presidential
electors should be nominated in State con
vcntions.
Two electors at large having been proper
~ nominated at the Republican convention
a, Bangor, it will only remain for the Re
publican convention at Portland to nom
nate four additional electors at large.
j, II. MtSLEN, Chairman.