The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-24
AS TO STATE PRIMARY.

It makes great difference in politics
whose OK is gored. II the beginning Of
the campaign, two years ago, Candidate
Tillman and the March Convention all
demanded direct and straight primary
for State officers. When things got in the
swing and Candidate Tillman felt sure Of
success, he and his opposed State prim-
ary for that year, but wanted it in 1892,
and every year thereafter. Not a primary
sor delegates, but straight, direct vote.
This delegate business was altogether an
after thought.
It is well occasionally to refresh our
minds as to what We pledged ourselves to
do. In this fast age we are liable to forget
unless our memories are refreshed.
At the two county conventions held at
Newberry in 1S90-June and July-e:-
forts were made to pass resolutions in
structing our delegates 70 vote for State
primary in the State convention. In both
cases they failed. Those who opposed
them, however, were warm in their advo-
cacy of State primary in 1892.
Among a long series of resolutions Of
fered by DR.. Pope, preceded by several
whereases, the following is No. /, and it
was adopted by large vote:
Resolved, /. That we favor such an
alteration of the Constitution OF the Demo
cratic party as will give to the Democratic
people of this State State primary in
1892, and at each election thereafter, at
which only white Democrats shall vote;
and the candidates receiving majority of
the vote at said election shall be the nom
inees of the Democratic party for the
respective Offices"
Now, if this resolution is not a demand
for a primary direct in 1892, We would
like to know what it is.
The Hon. J. A. Sigh is fair and just
man and in the course of the discussion
in these conventions on this question heis
reported as saying:
GAS to the Primary: We are committed
to it in the platform of the March Con-
veation have advocated it since 1876. I
believe it is just and I am an advocate of
it to-day. But circumstances alter cases.
Do alter them materially. The March
Convention adopted platform, one plank
OF which demanded primary. The E11-
ecutive Committee met and had that plat
form before it. Why didn't it give US
primary? Answer that. Instead the COM
mittee ordered a convention to meet in
September I am told chat only one mem
Der voted for primary at that meeting.
delegate Pope: ''They deny that
Mr.. Sigh resuming: earle began to
agitate the question on the stump and
demanded primary when he saw his
chances were gone. We want harmony
in the party now, and primary would be
dangerous now. The campaign has gone
on and everything points to the conven-
ton. He thought he was conservative. IF
we had a primary it would be the hottest
time We ever had. AL kinds of election
eeriug would be resorted 10. IN the in
terest of Democratic supremacy and
harmony and peace, he was opposed to
the primary now. We are not to blame
lOI IL. we ~duG Ouo LII 1907, UuG CruuOG
yield to-day. When We meet in August
and the "Antis" fnd the case is hopeless,
they will yield and all,will be peace. 1t
is in the interest of Democracy rot to
have primary now.' He said he did not
speak as partizan but lover of his
his State"
At arother time he said she was opposed
to the primary now but wanted it in 1892"
The March Convention platform de-
mands such primary as we have been
offered. We would be glad to hear from
Mr.. Sigh on the question, now, 1892.
Does be favor primary direct for Gov
ernor, or does be favor primary for dele
gates. We would like to have an express
sion from Mr.. Sigh on this question.
Would it not conduce to harmony and
union to have direct primary?
We ask an expression from Mr.. Sigh
in all sincerity, because we believe be is
deeply interested in peace and harmony
among the Democrats of South Caro-
lima.