The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-09-21
tasIlV. QUICKLY. PeTmanentII RestpTed.
Majority Rnla.

The action of the Tennessee Demo-
cratic convention yesterday in adopt
ting the mai rity rule for the nomi-
nation Of candidates does great credit
10 the Democrats of Tennessee, and
especially 10 Chairman Carroll and
his associates of the executive COM
mlttee, who recommended the action.
it should have become the universal
policy Of the Democracy long ago. 1t
was the enforcement Of the two-thirds
rule at Charleston in 1860 that was
the prescip.tating cause of the civil
war, for il rent the Democratic party
in twain, aud while the election Of a
Republican president as a conse-
qnence, made impossible any other
settlement Of the question between
the North aud South, than the ar
bitrament Of arms, impossible. But,
as the Democratic party has always
stood for majority rule, the insistence
upon the two-thirds plan in the
party's own nominating conventions
has been one of the strange incon-
gruities Of tile party's discipline. 1t
was based on the idea that party har-
mony could best be secured when two
thirds rather one-half the delegates
agreed. In theory this looks very
plausible, but ia practice it has been
fouad frequently destructive. The
dark horse Is the product of the two
thirds rule, aud whenever the con-
test be fierce, dissatisfaction invari-
bly, ensucs, and the forces OF recon-
Citation have 10 be invoked. The
Republicans have proceeded under
the majority plan ard they have,
thereby, been able 10 secure far bet
ter discipline In the ranks. 1t may
be that the next national Democratic
convention will agree 10 the rule. 1t
was thoughtful la the State committee
10 take advantage of yesterdays op
p0rtunlty 10 make the step-Gov.
Turney having no opposition for re-
nomination and IL being impossible
10 charge the committee with pro-
ceeding In the interest Of any par
ticular candidate. The new rule will
have a most important effect upon
future political primaries. The as
pirant for party honors who would
play two strong competitors against
one another that he may run in be-
tween will iind his opportunity gone,
and not being brave enough TO face
the primaries will keep out of the
race. The rule will also tend to in
tensify the sense Of individual res
possibility on the part of the con-
vention, and i'm the case of dead
lock there will be less temptation to
stampede in the direction of the ''Out-
slider" The rule means the strength
ening Of the party organization and
the fostering of "A more Jealous party
spirit That the committee made the
proposition without any concerted
party demand shows that the MEM
hers felt the responsibility Of leader
ship and had studiously. and philoso-
phically considered the party's well
fare. Il vas indeed fortunate that
the party hit upon so wise and care
ful and devoted servant as William
II. Carroll To take care of its interests.
As courageous as lac is broadminded,
a man whose acumen is predicated
upon his strong commOn-sense, quick
10 perceive the right way and reckO-
ming for tomorrow as we'll as for today,
he Il at once his party's. guide, coun-
sellor and friend. It will be found
That his reputation as a leader will
widen as the example set by the
Tennessee Democrats shall be fol-
blwed by those Of other States.