The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1894-02-01

I 3~So"o = ihouo hoko pAcAuluouG Cnal
any other in my campaign of 189
was the domand for a primary elec
tion at which oach and every vote
would have the opportunity O
voicing his own wishes as to those
who should be put in office; and
we went so far in that direction as
TO incorporate in the March plat
form the demand for such pri-
mary after joint canvass by those
who sought tho suffrages of the
people. consider that that issue
was paramount in tho minds Of
the people in the unanimity with
which they rallied to my support
and that all others were Of minor
Importance.
"Now this demand for a convcn-
tion among rcformcrs arises from
q desire.--an honest ono, am ready
to admit-on the part Of many to
prevent wrangling in our own
ranks and to concentrate our forces
in support of somo ono candidate.
| But what, then, becomes Of tho
grand principle Of a FREQ, fair and
opcn fight before the pcoplo after
discussion by tho candidates if
such convention bo held? In 1890
after being defeated in tho cam
paigns Of 'S6 and 'SS by reason Of
our disorganizod condition, tho re-
form democrats decided 30 moot
in convention in order to pit OF
ganization against organization
and to forco discussion of the is
sues because AL tho newspapers
woro against us. The ring at that
time had full possession Of all tho
party machinery. They were on
tronchcd in tho State house and it
was folt necessary to formulate a
platform and put forth cxpononts
Of the principles declared in that
platform to canvass tho State and
arouse the people to carry those
principles to victory. Tho condi-
tlons arc entirely changed now
Tho rcformers are in absolute
possession Of tho government both
in tho State and county oxccpt il
half a dozon counties. Wo have
tho entire party machinery in oul
possession and if wo hold ;
convention without q campaign il
which all the candidates. shal
havo hearing, wo stultify oursol
, YES, forestull tho will Of tho poo
! p]o, assume to dictate who shall
} DO tho candidates for tho Office
V and, in truth, such a convontio
Z would bo, in tho light Of facts,
, convention of roformors agnins
| roformers. Tho machine which W
fought in 1890 is doad; it no Ion
ger oxists.'
| "Well, governor, what about tn,
arguments in favor of q convcn
tionw
"There is only ono argumont
and that is this: With, say, half
dozon mon prominent in the 70
form movement and alliod with it
all running for tho Office of govorn
or, it might be possible for our op
ponents to give thoir strength t,
some ono of those who would b
least objectionable and most in
clined to trade with thom or max,
CONCESSIONS if elected; and therob,
tho conservatives in somo of tn,
counties, and possibly in tho Stat,
convention might hold the balanc,
OF power. Ihls ls tho only argu
mont that has ever presented itscl
to mo, and I think it is tho only
one that has presented itself tx
anyone; but think the people arr
sufficiently educated and can b'
relied upon to watch the words ant
remember tho records of tho vari
ous candidates to choose wisel,
who shall DO governor and who
shall fill the othor offices.
"On tho one hand if wo hold
convention tho trouble is that ,
large contingent Of our people, ,
majority probably, would take NJ
hand in 1T for it is very early an>
there are no signs of any pertur
h"-'on in the minds Of the masse
| o1tho onnh fhere ia 81 yaof doa1 of n 6