Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-09-27
Political Notes.

FOltl-al NObco.
The condition of affairs politically in S.
Carolina is said to be of such a nature as
to excite the gravest fears among the
| Democratic leaders The alarm is by no
means confined to the possibility of the
defeat Of the regular Democrats by the
| Populists, but is oceasioned by indications
that the election will be followed by a
dual government in the State and all the
| riot and bloodshed that accompanies
| perturbed condition.
The possibilities of the Baker ballot law
are numerous and varied. The latest de-
| velopment comes from Indiana county and
| it is likely to have an important bearing
| on some election results. Ex-Judge Blair
of Indiana, Republican, is the candidate
of the Democrats Populists and independ-
ent Republicans of that county for Judge
against Judge Harry White, the regular
| Republican nominee. Judge Blair's friends
| know this is a Republican year and fear
the effect of the voting of straight tickets
| under ordinary conditions. But to get the
benefit of straight ticket voting they con-
ceived the plan to get out nomination pa
pers for the regular Republican state tick
ct under the caption of Independent ke-
| publican" These they are having signed
all over the state. Then they will get out
| county and district papers at home con-
tanning the names of every Republican
candidate except Judge White, of whom
they substitute ex-Judge Blair, thus
| permitting Republican to vote straight
ticket with Judge Blair's name on.
Hastings spoke at Kittanning last Thurs
day night, and since then at Greensburg
Jeanette, J6hnstown, Huntingdon and
Williamsport.
Harrison and Mckinley spoke at great
mass meeting held in indianapolis, Tues
day night. Harrison spoke first and Nc
Kinley followed, and both made grea
speeches.
When Gov. Mckinley resumed his sea-
the audience gave way to torrent OF ap
plause that continued for three minutes
The ex-President Harrison arose and said
want to propose that before this grea
meeting breaks up that we manifest oul
appreciation of the forcible, able aud con
vincing speech to which we have listened
and of its distinguished author by giVlnt
three rousing HoOsier cheers for Gov. NC
Kinley.
The audience gave the cheers vigorously
and added round of applause for the ex
| President himself. For an hour thereafte
Gov. Mckinley stood ON the stage ant
held an impromptu reception. Afterwart
a big procession escorted him back to hi
he iel.
Next Monday is the last day under th'
law for the filing of certificates OF nomi
nation with the Secretary of the Common
wealth. There will be seven days follow
ing that in which to prepare and file nomi
nation papers, but those who become can
didates by means Of nomination papers d.
not get their names on thh regular part.
ticket on the official ballot.
There are two Congressional district
and o1e judicial district in the State wher
the conferree system has so far prevente'
q Republican nomination from being made
The Congressional districts are the Six
teenth, composed of Tioga, Lycoming
Clinton and Potter counties, and the TWEEN
ty- first, composed of Armstrong, Indiana
Jefferson and Westmoreland. In bot
these districts many ballots have beel
taken, and in the former it does not ap
pear that there is the least sign of agree
ment.
In the Twenty first District there is
better chance of agreement. There ar
four candidates, one representing eacl
county. Since the last meeting OF the con
ference there has been a considerable IN
tervals, during which those who shoul'
know the situation have thrown out hint
that at the next meeting, which will tax
place to-day, an understanding will b.
reached and candidate nominated. 1t l
probable that Congressman Heiner woult
have been conceded denomination with
out material opposition had it not been TO
the fact that two years ago the distric
broke the two term rule in refusing a nom
ination to Colonel Huff. That opened TIL
way for free for all fight this year.
The experience in these districts Wit
the conferree system-and in the two Con
gregessional districts it is not by an.
means the frst-s sufficient to prompt tn
: abolition of that method. The party pee
pie should be given chance to participant
in the nomination of their candidates, bu
that is a privilege which is virtually denie'
them under the conferree system. The
failure to make nomination in either o
the districts in question will be wholly du
70 that system, for the people if permitted
to go to the polls and vote direct for can
didate would make choice at once, ant
every candidate would be on an equa
footing.
Nobody attempts to defend the contere
system, because absolutely nothing can b
said in it's behalf 1t has been denounced
by formal action of a Republican Stat
Convention, the highest authority in tn
party, yet corrupt and dangerous as it is
it is still retained in q number of districts
L. ought to be wired off the face OF th
earth